COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE PROGRAMS (CASA) Suffolk County Family Court 400 Carlton Avenue, Suite 470 Central Islip, NY 11722 (631) 853-4260

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Purpose: The Long Island Court Appointed Special Advocate Programs provide the court with trained volunteers who investigate, monitor and report to the court on the status of individual children in foster care. Assigned by a Family Court Judge, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers represent "the best interests of a child" and work to ensure that children receive the services they need with a goal of achieving a permanent home for the children to whom they are assigned. EAC's CASA programs have been in operation since 1987.

Description: The EAC CASA Programs are based on the national program model. Research has shown that children who have a CASA volunteer working with them are more likely to receive necessary services (such as medical, dental, psychological and special education services). The use of CASA volunteers has also resulted in foster care children achieving permanency (adoption or return to the biological family) more quickly than children without CASAs.
Family Court judges assign volunteers at the time of foster care reviews. CASA volunteers then work with caseworkers, foster parents, biological parents and any other persons who are involved with the child. A report is then delivered to the court outlining a plan for the child, including any services needed by the child.
CASA volunteers are screened by program staff and must complete a comprehensive training program. Ongoing in-service training is provided on a regular basis to enhance volunteer skills and knowledge.

Funding: Program funding is provided by the New York State Legislature through the Division of Probation and Correctional Alternatives.