Heart of Missouri CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) believes that all children have the right to safe, healthy, stable homes, free from abuse and neglect. A CASA volunteer, serving as a court-appointed advocate, is trained to promote and pursue the best interest of an abuse or neglected child in court, and prevents the child from getting lost in the system by being sensitive to the child’s needs and presenting these needs in court.

The role of the CASA volunteer in a child abuse or neglect case is to examine the circumstances surrounding the case, make an independent evaluation with recommendations regarding actions the CASA believes are in the child’s best interest- both short and long term, and to monitor the case until a permanent placement is achieved. Through these advocacy efforts, CASA is working with the Court to ensure that every child has the best chance at healing and a brighter future.

326

Number of children with a CASA advocate in 2020

174

Active CASA Advocates for children in 2020

7,027

Advocacy hours given by CASA Advocates in 2020

658

Children in foster care in Boone & Callaway between Oct 1, 2019-Sept 30, 2020

Heart of Missouri CASA Funders and Donors

Virtual Pinwheel Garden

A pinwheel planted for every person who provided a gift during Child Abuse Prevention Month (April 2020).