Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are community volunteers who work one-on-one with children and youth in the foster care and/or juvenile probation systems. CASA volunteers devote a few hours a week getting to know one child and gathering information from everyone involved in the child's life. Volunteers are part of a team that works for the best interests of the child.
CASA of Santa Cruz County recruits, screens, trains, matches, and supervises these volunteer Advocates to be the voice of our community's youth in the Santa Cruz County Court System. Advocates get to know their child’s situation and needs, help caregivers access resources to meet those needs, and advocate for the child’s best interests in Court, community, and school settings.
News & Events
The CASA Children’s Fund empowers Advocates to respond to the unique and evolving needs of the families we serve. It impacts the lives of children, helping to foster resilience and connection during a stressful and often confusing period in their lives.
Another year has flown by, and thanks to our community, we continue to advocate for the most vulnerable youth in Santa Cruz County. Despite significant federal and state budget cuts in 2025, your unwavering support allowed us to continue to fulfill our mission. Read Lynne's letter that wraps up 2025 and looks ahead to 2026.
In early 2025, CASA of Santa Cruz County shared a blog outlining the challenges that lead to teenagers in foster care being placed outside the county. Since then, several developments have made the situation even more difficult for youth who need stable placements close to home.
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