An advocate is defined as “one who supports or promotes the interests of a cause or group,” according to Merriam Webster. Support of a cause is exactly what Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers do throughout New Jersey.
“CASA of Middlesex County, like all CASA programs, advocates for the best interests of children who have been removed from home due to abuse or neglect,” said Stephanie Brown, a licensed social work, and serves as executive director of CASA of Middlesex County. “Our advocates attend court hearings and make recommendations to the judge. Advocates ensure that children’s needs are met.”
Needs may include more frequent sibling visits, special education evaluations, extracurricular activities, and even family reunification or adoption, Brown said.
CASA New Jersey, established in January 2000, includes 12 county-based programs.
State and county CASA programs aim to protect the overall well-being of children in foster care. A child in foster care may have faced physical, psychological, or emotional trauma and years of uncertainty as they wait to go home, be adopted, or to simply see what happens next, according to the CASA of New Jersey website.
CASA volunteers are able to provide a caring and protective environment during this time.
“At CASA, our volunteers advocate for the best interests of children living in the foster care system,” said Lauren Crenshaw, executive director, CASA of Atlantic, Cape May, and Camden counties. “Through collaborative efforts, we play a critical role, ensuring that every child receives the individual attention and support they need to thrive, while they are away from their families. By advocating for their best interests, CASAs make a significant impact, helping empower children and youth to feel more secure and hopeful about their future.”
CASA volunteers, who receive approximately 30 hours of training, must be at least 21 years old. They are also thoroughly screened with background checks before being appointed by a judge to advocate for a foster child’s best interests.
“We have become very integrated into the court system,” said Dr. Lori Morris, interim executive director, CASA of Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties. “Judges depend on the work of CASA volunteers.”
Every three to four months, CASA volunteers provide a court report about their case for the judge, according to Tracey Heisler, executive director for CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties. This report is a summary of the CASA volunteer’s interactions as he or she “talks to schools, parents, and foster parents and gathers information on how they’re (the child) is doing,” Heisler explained. Volunteers are assigned to one child/sibling group.
CASA volunteers “change the trajectory of a child’s life, a family’s life by shortening the amount of time that a child is without a home,” Morris stated. She added that volunteers have “a lot of grit.”
By the numbers, in fiscal year 2024 (July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024), CASA volunteers provided best interest advocacy to 2,822 children and youth in foster care, as reported on the CASA of New Jersey website. In addition, the website provided that as of July 1, 2024, 1,544 CASA volunteers were serving 2,822 children.
Programs are supported financially through a combination of federal funds, state funds and local fundraising. To illustrate, the CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon & Warren Counties has an annual budget of approximately $685,000, according to Heisler. Of this amount, one-third is federal funding; one-third is state funding; and one-third is from fundraising efforts.
Events, such as CASA of Middlesex County’s “Toast 2025,” help the organization raise funds, while recognizing the work of exceptional community members. The fundraiser, scheduled for May 6 at The Chateau Grande Hotel in East Brunswick, will bestow the following awards: Inspirational Leader Award – Jonathan Cowles; Superstar Advocate Award – Toni Hendrix; and Community Champion Award – Bags of Love.
CASA of New Jersey will host “Blossoms & Bright Futures 2025” on May 8 at McLoone’s Pier House in Long Branch. The fundraiser will recognize CASA of New Jersey’s continued strides in advocacy for abused and neglected children in the community. CASA chapters throughout the state host events to appeal for funds, honor the dedication of community members and show gratitude for the commitment of CASA volunteers.
By providing stability and consistency, CASA volunteers meet the critical needs of children during an uncertain and vulnerable time in their lives. CASA volunteers “advocate in the best way possible,” Morris said.
For more information about how to become a CASA volunteer, visit https://casaofnj.org/.
