CASA of Allegheny County

CASA of Allegheny County is an advocacy group that engages community volunteers who are passionately seeking involvement in their neighborhoods, focusing on advocating for abused and neglected children in the areas where they live. We are the only program that allows for such in-depth community involvement in the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors.

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen (21 years or older) who is appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interest of a child in court. CASA volunteers advocate for children who are before the court as a result of abuse or neglect as defined by the state child welfare laws, living at home or in out-of-home care. CASA volunteer best interest advocacy is driven by the guiding principle that children grow and develop best with their family of origin if that can safely be achieved.

CASA of Allegheny County volunteers serve as the “eyes and ears” for the judge in child welfare cases. This includes researching each child’s situation and making objective recommendations to help them reclaim their childhoods from ill-treatment, not being cared for, disparagement and brutalization. Our model of best-interest advocacy has life-changing impact and helps ensure children are safe and have the opportunity to flourish.