Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are community volunteers who work one-on-one with children and youth in the foster care and/or juvenile probation systems. CASA volunteers devote a few hours a week getting to know one child and gathering information from everyone involved in the child's life. Volunteers are part of a team that works for the best interests of the child.
CASA of Santa Cruz County recruits, screens, trains, matches, and supervises these volunteer Advocates to be the voice of our community's youth in the Santa Cruz County Court System. Advocates get to know their child’s situation and needs, help caregivers access resources to meet those needs, and advocate for the child’s best interests in Court, community, and school settings.
News & Events
As we reflect on the first quarter of 2026, we are incredibly grateful for the community support that has allowed us to expand the populations of youth in the community we serve as part of our three-year strategic initiatives.
Gloria’s favorite place was the plant nursery. The first time she and her Advocate Jeri went, Gloria spent two full hours wandering in awe among the rows of plants, asking endless questions, taking everything in, and marveling at the beauty around her. Before they left, she even got to bring home a plant of her very own.
When CASA of Santa Cruz County stepped into truancy advocacy, there was no roadmap, only a shared commitment to supporting youth and families who needed support in a new and complex space. We were so grateful that several Advocates were willing to explore the unknown with us, including CASA Advocate Alan.
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