CASA of San Bernardino County

Mission

C.A.S.A. of San Bernardino County improves the quality of life for youth in foster care, juvenile justice care, and foster care alumni with stable and consistent mentoring, advocacy, and supportive services.

Vision

To advocate on behalf of all abused and neglected children and youth throughout San Bernardino County.

History:

The C.A.S.A. concept was first envisioned in 1977 when a Seattle Washington Juvenile Court Judge believed that trained and sworn volunteers could provide children and youth in the child welfare system with the advocacy they needed in order to avoid languishing in inappropriate group or foster homes.  By 1984, the benefits of the program reached Judge Patrick Morris with the San Bernardino County Juvenile Dependency Court, who established “Child Advocates of San Bernardino County” a C.A.S.A. program  to serve the growing numbers of children entering the County’s child welfare system. Since then, advocacy services have expanded to include both healthcare and education systems advocacy.

C.A.S.A. of San Bernardino County volunteers have positively impacted the lives of thousands of at-risk youth since its founding – assuring children’s voices are heard in the courtroom; that decisions made about them includes their input; that their physical and mental health are top priorities; and that their educational rights are at the heart of their school experience. And, because of our long history and solid reputation in the community, we are also heavily involved with a variety of child-serving groups and agencies which ensure that child welfare youth have a voice at the decision-making and policy levels. 

C.A.S.A. of San Bernardino County recruits, screens and trains community members just like you to serve as C.A.S.A. volunteers for children and youth currently living in foster care.  C.A.S.A volunteers provide stability and hope to abused and neglected children by adding a powerful voice in their lives.  A C.A.S.A. volunteer:

• Establishes a strong and stable relationship with a child
• Gathers information, writes reports, and make recommendations in the best interest of the child
• Advocates to ensure the child receives the appropriate resources that he or she deserves