Frequently Asked Questions
No. While many children involved in abuse or neglect cases live in foster care or with relatives, some remain with or return to their parents while their case remains open.
A CASA advocate follows the child wherever the child is placed and continues advocating until the court closes the case.
Yes! Community partnerships are an important part of CASA’s work.
Businesses, civic organizations and community groups can support CASA through event sponsorships, financial contributions, in-kind donations, employee engagement, volunteer recruitment and other partnerships.
We are happy to work with organizations to identify a meaningful way to get involved.
Yes. CASA of Kendall County welcomes opportunities to educate the community about our mission and the need for volunteer advocates.
We can speak with businesses, churches, civic organizations, community groups and others interested in learning more about CASA and ways to become involved.
Not at all.
- There are many ways to support CASA of Kendall County. You can:
- Make a financial contribution
- Sponsor a CASA event
- Donate items for fundraising events
- Support children’s needs and special initiatives
- Attend CASA events
- Help introduce CASA to businesses and community organizations
- Share CASA’s mission with friends and colleagues
- Encourage someone you know to become an advocate
Every form of support helps strengthen advocacy for children in our community.
CASA volunteers listen carefully to children and make sure their experiences, needs and wishes are understood.
However, a CASA’s formal responsibility is to advocate for the child’s best interests. Sometimes what a child wants and what the advocate believes is in the child’s best interests are the same. Sometimes they are different.
When they differ, the advocate can communicate both to the court.
No.
CASA’s role is not to take sides. Our responsibility is to advocate for the best interests of the child.
Whenever it can be accomplished safely, reunification with parents is an important goal of the child welfare system. CASA advocates monitor progress, services, safety and the child’s needs while the court determines the appropriate permanency outcome.
CASA advocates often develop meaningful and trusting relationships with the children they serve, but the relationship is different from a friendship.
The advocate is a trained, court-appointed volunteer with professional boundaries and responsibilities. The relationship centers on consistency, trust and advocacy.
No. The judge makes legal decisions about placement, custody and permanency.
The CASA gathers information, identifies concerns and makes recommendations regarding the child’s best interests. The judge considers the CASA’s information along with evidence and recommendations from other parties in the case.
CASA volunteers are appointed by the court to children involved in abuse and neglect proceedings. Once appointed, the CASA advocate remains involved throughout the case and provides the court with an independent assessment of the child’s best interests.
No. A CASA volunteer is not an attorney and does not provide legal representation.
The CASA’s role is to investigate, observe, monitor and advocate for the child’s best interests and provide information to the court.
No. CASA volunteers and DCFS caseworkers have different roles.
Caseworkers manage many aspects of a family’s child welfare case and typically carry multiple cases at one time. A CASA volunteer is appointed by the court and focuses specifically on advocating for the best interests of the child or sibling group assigned to them.
CASA volunteers work collaboratively with caseworkers, attorneys, foster parents, teachers, therapists and other professionals while maintaining an independent perspective about the child’s needs.
No. CASA volunteers do not provide a home for children.
Foster parents provide day-to-day care. CASA volunteers serve as advocates, getting to know the child and helping ensure that the child’s needs are being addressed throughout the court case.
Become a CASA Advocate.
One caring, consistent adult can make an extraordinary difference in the life of a child.
We would love to talk with you.
Whether you’re considering becoming a CASA advocate, looking for a meaningful way to give back, or simply want to learn more about our work, please reach out.
CASA of Kendall County
Phone: 630-553-8660
Depending on the case, a CASA advocate may:
- Visit regularly with the child
- Talk with parents, relatives and foster parents
- Communicate with caseworkers
- Speak with teachers and school personnel
- Review relevant records
- Communicate with therapists and service providers
- Attend meetings related to the child’s case
- Monitor whether court-ordered services are occurring
- Attend court hearings
- Prepare written reports for the judge
- Advocate for the child’s safety, stability and well-being
The CASA’s job is to develop a comprehensive understanding of what is happening in the child’s life and make sure important information does not fall through the cracks.
CASA of Kendall County recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteer advocates who are appointed by the court to advocate for children involved in abuse and neglect cases in Kendall County.
Our goal is simple: to make sure every child we serve has a consistent, caring adult focused on their safety, well-being and best interests.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA volunteers are trained community members appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
CASA volunteers get to know the child, gather information from the people involved in the child’s life, monitor the child’s needs and services, and provide the court with information and recommendations to help the judge make informed decisions.
Child welfare professionals perform essential roles, but many manage significant caseloads.
A CASA volunteer is able to focus intensively on one child or sibling group and remain involved throughout the case. That consistency gives the advocate an opportunity to develop a detailed understanding of the child’s history, relationships, needs and circumstances.
Donations help CASA of Kendall County recruit, screen, train and support volunteer advocates and provide the resources necessary to serve children experiencing abuse and neglect.
Your support helps ensure that children navigating the court and child welfare systems have someone consistently focused on their needs, safety and future.
