Our Mission
To give a child a CASA volunteer is to give them a voice.
To give them a voice is to give them hope.
To give them hope is to give them the world.
CASA provides abused, neglected, and exploited children a voice in court.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Scotts Bluff County is a non-profit organization whose volunteers serve as neutral parties in child abuse and neglect cases within our county court system. Appointed by the Judge, CASA volunteers advocate for the best interests of children and remain with each case until it is closed, ensuring the child is placed in a safe and permanent home. CASA serves children from birth to 18 years old, providing a constant presence in the child’s life amidst the potential changes in caseworkers, foster parents, and schools.
CASA volunteers advocate for children who have entered the Juvenile County Court System due to circumstances beyond their control, such as child abuse, neglect, homelessness, destitution, or abandonment. These cases often involve issues including physical abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse, neglect, failure to protect, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
CASA advocates give children a voice in court by discussing their placement preferences and needs, preparing comprehensive written reports for the court. These CASA reports offer deeper insights into the child’s wants and needs and include the volunteer’s informed opinion on the child’s best interests concerning placement, opportunities, and any concerns.
CASA volunteers are dedicated to advocating for the best interests of children in the foster care system. They gather information and evidence through direct observation and interaction with the child, as well as communication with relevant parties. As neutral parties, CASA volunteers are not required to agree with legal parties, therapeutic recommendations, or suggestions from other professionals. Instead, they provide an independent and objective perspective, ensuring that the child’s voice and needs are accurately represented in court proceedings.
The children we serve are our purpose, and our volunteers are the heart of our organization.
Our Local History
In 1993, Judge Glenn Camerer, County Court Judge for Scotts Bluff County, began the process to establish a CASA Program in Scotts Bluff County. Shelly Fales, the local Foster Care Review Board Director, worked with Judge Camerer in start-up procedures. The first director of CASA of Scotts Bluff County was Cindy Howard who took over in December of 1995. The first training was held in September of 1996 with ten volunteers.The first funding for the CASA program was $5000 from the Department of Social Services Committee for the Protection of Children. CASA of Scotts Bluff County was a member of the Oregon Trail Community Foundation until the year 2000 when non-profit status was achieved.
History of National CASA/GAL Association
In 1977, a Seattle Superior Court Judge named David Soukup was concerned about trying to make decisions on behalf of abused and neglected children without enough information. He conceived the idea of appointing community volunteers to speak up for the best interests of these children in court. He made a request for volunteers; 50 citizens responded, and that was the start of the CASA movement. The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (National CASA) was formed in 1982 to provide a unified voice for CASA programs around the country. Since its inception, CASA/GAL advocacy has grown to change America’s child welfare and judicial systems, helping more than 2 million children find safe, permanent homes in which they can thrive.
990 Tax Information
Our 990 is filed in May each year.