The Northern Essex County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program, administered by Family Service, Inc., recruits, trains and supervises volunteers who serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in the Lawrence Juvenile and Newburyport District Courts.
Volunteers are appointed to only one case at a time. All volunteers receive in-depth pre-service training and significant ongoing support from the CASA staff. There are no professional qualifications to become a volunteer, only the personal traits that facilitate effective and compassionate advocacy for child victims.
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What is a CASA Volunteer?
CASA volunteers are specially trained individuals who are appointed by a Judge to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in “Care and Protection” cases being heard in the Newburyport and Lawrence Juvenile Courts. Northern Essex County CASA volunteers advocate for children from the Greater Lawrence, Greater Haverhill, and the Newburyport area.
What is the CASA Volunteer's Role?
CASA volunteers provide the judge with carefully researched information on the child or children on their case. This information is provided to the Judge so that he or she can make informed decisions about the child's future. This information is gathered through at least monthly visits with the child or children on their case, and frequent contact with all other parties, including doctors, teachers, foster parents and many others.
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For questions about becoming a CASA volunteer, or additional information on the Northern Essex County CASA Program, please contact us:
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