CASA of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties

It is by Court Order that Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers advocate on behalf of a child in a case of abuse and neglect. Case workers and guardian ad litem attorneys are charged with providing abused and neglected children with temporary protection. These professionals struggle to devote sufficient time to each child to ensure that all their needs are being met. The CASA volunteer is typically appointed to one case at a time and handles that case to its successful conclusion-when the court's jurisdiction is terminated. The volunteer submits regular, formal reports directly to the presiding judge, appears at all court hearings and monitors court-ordered treatment and placement plans. They frequently have contact with parents and report on their participation and progress related to efforts to satisfy the requirements for family reunification. The Court considers the volunteer’s recommendations prior to making rulings on child placement and treatment plans.