CASA Seeks Volunteers to Advocate for Local Children

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Children caught in the child welfare system often face uncertainty, frequent changes in caseworkers, and a revolving door of service providers. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers not only strive to be a steady presence in these children’s lives, but also serve as the "voice" of the child in court cases. However, with only eleven volunteers managing 25 cases and advocating for 32 children, CASA of Washington County is in urgent need of more community members willing to step up.

Advocates Tabatha McLain and Aubrey Dufour outside the CASA office at the Washington County Justice Center.

CASA volunteers are specially trained advocates appointed by a judge to represent a child’s best interests in court. Unlike attorneys or Department of Child Services (DCS) caseworkers, CASA volunteers do not get paid and remain an unbiased, independent voice solely focused on the child’s well-being. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old, pass background checks, and commit to a minimum of 10 hours per month—though most cases require more. A CASA typically stays on a case from start to finish, which can range from a year to several years, providing crucial stability for the child.

"The judge really relies on CASA," explained Executive Director Tabatha McClain. "The parent's attorney is going to do everything to protect the parent, regardless of whether they're right or wrong, and DCS is going to do everything to protect DCS and what they feel is best in a situation, which might not always be what's best for the kid. That's where our primary focus is."

CASA volunteers have unique access to information that helps them advocate effectively. With a judge’s authorization, they can gather records from doctors, rehab centers, and other sources to build a clear picture of the child’s situation. They also spend time with the child, observing interactions and picking up on details that others might miss. In abuse cases, for example, a CASA may notice a young child instinctively avoiding a parent—an important red flag that could be overlooked in a brief supervised visit.

The impact of CASA volunteers can be life-changing. Aubrey Dufour, another CASA advocate, recalls one case during the COVID-19 pandemic where a child in residential care had no family to visit him. Typically, children in such facilities see family once a week, but this child had no one, and his behavior suffered greatly from it. Aubrey petitioned the state for permission to visit, navigating a complicated approval process since she wasn’t a relative. Her persistence paid off. "When I was able to show that I cared enough to go through the process to go see him, it was a huge night and day difference in his behavior."

Former CASA child Abigail Morgan, now an adult, was eager to share how much her CASA advocate meant to her. "My CASA was my advocate and I also would like to say my friend," she said. "The main reason why I’m adopted today is because my CASA and my FCM listened to my voice and spoke for me when I couldn’t be heard."

To raise awareness and recruit more volunteers, CASA is planning several community events, including a meet-and-greet at H&R Bakery, a Color Run, and a Masquerade fundraiser on October 10 at the Bourbon Lounge, featuring a "speakeasy" theme. You can follow them on Facebook for more information, and donations to support CASA’s efforts can be made at casawc.org.

For those looking to make a real difference in a child’s life, becoming a CASA volunteer offers a unique opportunity to provide stability, advocacy, and hope. With more volunteers, CASA can continue its vital mission of standing by Washington County’s most vulnerable children when they need it most.

To help spread the word about this and support our local nonprofits, we have made this a non-monetized article. If you haven't subscribed to The Washington County Times already, and would like to support local journalism for less than the price of a cup of coffee a month, click here!