When a child experiences abuse or neglect, their world can change overnight. Court hearings, foster placements, uncertainty about what comes next – it’s overwhelming.
A CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteer steps into that uncertainty and becomes a consistent adult focused entirely on the child’s best interests. National research from the National CASA/GAL Association for Children shows that children with a CASA/GAL volunteer are:
- Less likely to reenter the child welfare system – reentries are consistently reduced by half.
- More likely to achieve permanency, whether through safe reunification, guardianship, or adoption.
- More likely to perform better academically and behaviorally in school.
- More likely to experience higher levels of hope.
Judges report that the impact of CASA/GAL volunteers is more pronounced in:
- Promoting long-term wellbeing (92.2%)
- Ensuring appropriate services to children and families (83%)
- Supporting psychological wellbeing (79.9%)
Learn more about the research at:
https://nationalcasagal.org/our-impact/research-and-effectiveness/
Our local impact in 2025
While national research is powerful, what matters most is what’s happening in our own community.
Each year, approximately 100 new child abuse and neglect cases are filed in our county court. Behind every case number is a child navigating uncertainty.
In 2025, our program:
- Served 82 children through CASA volunteer advocacy
- Welcomed 35 new children into advocacy during the year
- Had 53 trained volunteers serving children
- Trained 11 new volunteers to step into this critical role
- Was appointed to 47 new cases by the court
Case Outcomes in 2025
Of 34 cases closed in 2025:
- 20 children were safely reunified with their families
- 11 children were adopted into permanent homes
- 1 guardianship was established
- 1 youth aged out of care
- 1 case transitioned to another permanency option (3c)
Even more encouraging: Zero cases reopened within 12 months of closure.
The average CASA volunteer remained assigned to a child for 14.6 months, providing stability during one of the most difficult periods of that child’s life.
Every number above represents real children with real stories – children who had a consistent adult showing up in court, at school meetings, in foster homes, and in the moments when it mattered most.
Our Volunteers
CASA volunteers are everyday community members who choose to stand up for children. They meet with children, gather information from educators and service providers, review records, and make informed recommendations to judges – always focused on the child’s best interests.
They are often appointed to the most serious cases of abuse and neglect – children at the highest levels of risk.
In 2025:
- 53 volunteers were active and eligible to serve.
- Volunteers contributed 364 documented case hours advocating for children.
- Volunteers stay with our program an average of 35.5 months, providing long-term consistency.
- 11 new volunteers were trained this year alone.
CASA Across Nebraska
Our program is part of a larger statewide network supported by Nebraska CASA Association.
In 2025 across Nebraska:
- 794 volunteers advocated for children
- 2,014 Nebraska children had a CASA volunteer
- Volunteers donated 31,019 hours and traveled 235,202 miles to advocate for children
- 21 local CASA programs served 55 counties.
- CASA has served Nebraska children for 39 years.
- The average annual cost per child served is $1,013.
Yet more than 1,300 Nebraska children are still waiting for an advocate.
Learn more at:
https://www.nebraskacasa.org/who_we_are/mission.html
Why It matters
Children in foster care often experience multiple placements, school disruptions, and prolonged uncertainty.
A CASA volunteer provides something powerful and rare in the system:
Consistency. Stability. A voice.
They show up.
They listen.
They advocate.
They stay until the case is resolved.
In 2025 alone, 82 children in our community had someone standing beside them in court – someone focused solely on their future.
That is impact you can measure.
And impact you can feel.