April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize and advocate for the tens of thousands of children in the U.S. who suffer from abuse and neglect. In Los Angeles County, many of these children enter the Dependency Court—a confidential legal system designed to protect them. But if you could sit in that courtroom, you would see a young child, sometimes only five years old, nervously facing a judge. Their legs might not even reach the floor.
The courtroom is full—judges, attorneys for parents and children, social workers, foster caregivers, and more. But often, the only adult there solely to advocate for the child’s best interest is a CASA—Court Appointed Special Advocate.
At CASA of Los Angeles, we recruit, train, and support volunteers who serve as one-on-one advocates for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. CASAs spend time with the child and speak with teachers, caregivers, doctors, social workers—and most importantly, with the child themselves. They ask:
“What makes you feel safe?”
“Do you feel comfortable in your foster home?”
“What’s happening at school?”
“What do you need right now?”
Sometimes a CASA’s role means showing up to a school play, finding a reading tutor, or making sure the child sees a doctor or dentist. The CASA is often the one constant presence in a child’s life during an overwhelming and uncertain time.
The impact is powerful. Children with CASAs are more likely to find safe, permanent homes, do better in school, and are half as likely to re-enter foster care. There is no special background or degree required to become a CASA—just a commitment to show up for a child who needs to a voice.
Although we are a private, nonprofit organization, CASA of Los Angeles is providing quasi-governmental services by offering vital support at no cost to our county’s court and social workers. But private funding is not enough, and we need support from the State to help us reach children in need. CASA is making the foster care system better and saving local and state government millions of dollars. For so many reasons, an investment in CASA is a wise, cost-efficient investment.
The State legislature is considering a 2025-2026 budget request from California CASA that would have enormous benefit to our own program here in Los Angeles County. This funding will allow us to recruit and train new volunteers to walk alongside children in foster care; while accessing the support we need to do this work each day.
We urge you to reach out to your representative and ask for their support. Find your California state representative here: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov
To help us serve more children, visit www.casala.org to donate, get involved, or learn more.
Together, we can ensure that every child in foster care has an advocate—and a chance!
Dr. Charity Chandler-Cole is the CEO at CASA of Los Angeles.
