Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Iowa

Mission: To ensure that children who have experienced abuse or neglect have a safe and permanent home.

CASA of Iowa is affiliated with the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) Association for Children, which, together with its state and local members, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every child in crisis can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive. The CASA of Iowa program commissions trained and qualified community volunteers to serve as an effective voice in court for children who have experienced abuse and neglect, strengthening efforts to ensure that each child is living in a safe, permanent and nurturing home.

Services provided by CASA of Iowa include:

• Court-appointed advocacy for children in the foster care system
• Volunteer training to prepare advocates to support and represent children’s best interests
• Information gathering and reporting to judges to help guide decisions on the child’s behalf
• Collaboration with families, social workers, and legal professionals to ensure children’s well-being
• Advocacy for the safety, permanency, and emotional health of children