7th Circuit CASA Program

Mission

The 7th Circuit Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program believes that every child deserves a safe, permanent, nurturing home. The CASA Program recruits, trains, and supervises volunteers to advocate in court for the best interest of abused and neglected children. The goal of the CASA Program is to have a “voice” in court for every child who needs one.

Success Stories

This is a story of a young infant that was brought into the system when his mother was picked up for driving under the influence of alcohol with him in the vehicle. The case progressed through the system very slowly with there being a lot of twists and turns along the way. First the mother was placed in a treatment program and the child was eventually placed back into her care for a period of about 3 to 6 months and then taken away again when she relapsed and had to be taken to the hospital for a severe head injury she sustained while at a party that involved drinking. After this very tragic thing happened the Judge immediately asked that a CASA be appointed to be the voice for this child. During this time the CASA got to know the child and foster parents well. When it looked as though there may be no way that the child could ever return to the mother’s care, he asked them if they had ever considered adopting the child that they were currently caring for. They said that at the beginning of the placement they had considered this option but brushed it aside as it seemed that the child would eventually be returned to the mother. Throughout the child living in their home they grew more and more attached to him, and him to them, as he was now rounding his 2nd birthday. They and the CASA were a constant in this child’s life and relayed to the CASA that they just couldn’t bear the thought of him going to live with someone else. So I am happy to report that their wish as well as his will come true by the middle of this month as he will be adopted by this loving family. The CASA will have a proud day in court knowing that they helped this little boy get a “forever family.”

Photos/Video

Statements