The CASA Project Of Worcester County

CASA provides court advocacy services for child victims of abuse and neglect. Every year, over 900 abused child subjects of new Care & Protection petition seek assistance in the Worcester County Juvenile Court. The majority of children that CASA serves are from birth to eleven years of age. They have been harmed by caretakers and often cannot or will not speak for themselves. Victimization which occurs in the home makes collection of evidence difficult or impossible. CASA assists the judge to make optimal decisions for each child by providing up-to-date, in-depth, and verified information via CASA Court reports. In order to provide this free service, CASA recruits, screens, trains, and supervises community volunteers. Each CASA/GAL (guardian ad litem) is appointed by a judge to a specific child or sibling group. Through early and appropriate intervention, the need for services at a later date can often be reduced and the child victim's trauma can be lessened. CASA produces a health positively impact on the Worcester County community because a child in a safe permanent home is more likely to live a healthy, productive life.

Description:
CASA volunteers perform these essential services for abused children in the Court:
• Fact-finder for the judge. CASA volunteers meet with the child at least twice monthly and interview teachers, physicians, mental health professionals, and others with salient information. CASA files Court reports every 2 – 3 months, or as requested by the judge.
• Advocate for needed medical, mental health, and educational services for the child while the case is open.
• Monitor case compliance, ensuring that all participants meet the stipulations of the DCF service plan. DCF workers must monitor 18 -25 cases involving upwards of 30 children; the CASA volunteer focuses on one child or sibling group at a time.
• Advocate for the solution that provides the child with the best opportunity for a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible.

History:
Worcester's CASA Project is the largest and oldest program in the Commonwealth. We were founded in 1981 and currently have over 160 active volunteers. In 2008 we helped 330 children in Worcester County Juvenile Court. We seek volunteers from all walks of life, including men (half of the children we serve are boys) and members of underrepresented communities such as Latinos and African Americans.

Contact person: Elizabeth Johnson Tsang, Community Resources Coordinator, (508) 757-9877, (email)

Office fax number: 508-792-1542

Address:

100 Grove Street Worcester, MA 01605 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.casaworcestercounty.org

Directions:

From 290 West: Take the Lincoln Square, Route 9 exit. Turn right at the bottom of the ramp and remain in the right lane. Bear right onto Salisbury Street. Turn right at the first set of lights onto. . . (more)   Nearest Bus Stop: Directly in front of the building

Miscellaneous Information

Are any opportunities appropriate for youth ages 18 or under? If yes, what age range?
	No.

Last updated on November 25, 2009