CASAS of Bainbridge Georgia
CASA aims to make a difference,
one child at a time,
by being assertive advocates
for children and their well being.
What is CASA of Southwest Georgia?
CASA provides advocacy by interested and committed community members for an individual child through the court and government agency processes until their case is resolved. CASA has proven to be a very effective way to achieve what all children deserve....a home which is a safe and caring place to be. CASA supports the work of Judge Chip Perry of the Juvenile Court to ensure he has information on which to make difficult but highly significant decisions on behalf of the children. He was frustrated with the lack of information upon which he had to base decisions regarding the future of abused and neglected children in his court room. He also wanted better options presented to meet the needs of children.
The CASA advocate's role is to:
  • find out what the facts and the issues are in the case.
  • find out what the various parties in the situation want and will do.
  • find out what the child may wish to happen.
  • explore every possible solution to the problems and to come to a decision as a normal member of the community about what is in the best interests of the child.  This may or may not agree with what the child wants to happen or wants the judge to know.  However the CASA advocates role is to tell the judge the child's preference
  • contribute to case planning with DFCS staff by exploring solutions to resolve the problems which have been identified.
  • attend the Citizen Review panel on behalf of the child and make recommendations about the best interests of the child.
  • attend the court hearing to present the judge with a report on the progress of the case goals and the child and to make recommendations about the best interests of the child.

You can work full time and still be a CASA advocate.
How does the CASA organization achieve its mission?

We recruit, screen, train and support people who wish to become advocates for children.
Advocates have to agree to FBI report checks, and 40 hours of training in workshops and observations in court.

 

What can you do?

We need volunteers to become advocates for children and/or to help with projects designed to prevent child abuse and teen pregnancy. Additionally, Decatur County and its adjacent counties need an emergency shelter/group home to serve the children.  CASA also needs to raise funds to support the work of the advocates and the organization. If you or your organization can help, and want to make the next step in making a difference for children, for their families and for their community, please contact me.

Links

Georgia CASA     National CASA

Dan Province, Executive Director
Denise Nalley, Volunteer Coordinator

Phone:  (229) 248-1040
Fax:  (229) 248-1040 		CASA of Southwest Georgia
P.O. Box 323
115 Troupe Street
Bainbridge, GA  39817

CASA aims to make a difference, one child at a time, by being assertive advocates for children and their well being. We owe children the best that we have to give!