About CASA of the Bluegrass
What is CASA?
At CASA of the Bluegrass, a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is a trained community volunteer who stands up for children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or dependency and are involved in the family court system. Appointed by a family court judge, these volunteers are empowered to speak up for a child’s best interests and help ensure their voice isn’t lost in a complex legal and care system.
When a child enters foster care, their world changes dramatically. CASA volunteers bring consistency, compassion, and advocacy to each child’s life, often becoming the one dependable adult focused solely on that child’s future.
What Does a CASA Volunteer Do?
CASA volunteers serve as independent advocates and fact-gatherers for the children they’re assigned. They work respectfully with everyone involved in the child’s life to fully understand the child’s experiences and needs and provide thoughtful recommendations to the judge.
CASA volunteers:
- Meet regularly with the child they serve
- Talk with parents, foster families, teachers, therapists, caseworkers, and others
- Review school, medical, and court records
- Attend court hearings and submit written reports
- Advocate for safe, permanent, nurturing homes
Every recommendation a CASA volunteer makes centers on one guiding question: What is in the best interest of this child?
Why CASA Matters
Judges make life-changing decisions for children every day, but often without enough time or information to fully understand a child’s situation. CASA volunteers help bridge that gap by researching, listening, and providing a trusted perspective focused entirely on the child’s well-being.
Children with CASA volunteers are more likely to:
- Find safe, permanent homes
- Receive necessary educational and medical support
- Spend less time in foster care
- Have their needs and voices clearly communicated in court
Most importantly, they have someone who is there just for them. They are not paid, not juggling dozens of cases, but committed to seeing them thrive.
How CASA of the Bluegrass Serves Our Community
CASA of the Bluegrass serves children in central Anderson, Boyle, Franklin, and Mercer counties who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. We recruit, train, and support volunteers who work alongside the court and community partners to ensure children’s voices are heard and their futures are protected.
Because we are a nonprofit, our ability to serve children depends on community support. We rely on volunteers, donors, and partners who believe every child deserves safety, stability, and a voice.
