CASA of Southern Illinois, a non-profit organization, and member of the National and Illinois CASA Associates, advocates for the best interest of children who have been abused and neglected. Based on the belief that children are entitled to a safe and permanent home, CASA works in collaboration with legal counsel and community resources to serve as the child’s advocate and represent the child in juvenile court.
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Southern Illinois is comprised of dedicated volunteers, trained to assist our children in need. As a result of our volunteers, extremely vulnerable children and youth are supported by our caring and committed advocates, providing reassurance and stability through the sea of case workers, attorneys, therapists and care givers.
CASA volunteers are ordinary men and women who want to personally lend a hand to our children in need. Along with our staff, they work with a judge, alongside attorneys and social workers, as appointed officers of the court. When a CASA is assigned to a case, it is his/her responsibility to learn as much as possible about the involved child(ren) by reviewing records, visiting teachers, neighbors and parents. Helping to determine what is in the best interest of the child, these volunteers then appear in court to report their findings to the judge and all parties involved.
There are children who are victims of abuse and neglect right here in Jackson, Johnson, Union, and Williamson Counties who need your support. CASA of Southern Illinois is only a phone call away. Become a volunteer, make a contribution or simply tell others about how CASA is helping children through frightening and bewildering times.
In FY24, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services report over 234,500 child abuse and neglect hotline calls were received. Approximately 20,177 children are in foster care. Tragically, in FY24, 122 children in Illinois died from abuse or neglect.
there are approximately 400,000 children in out-of-home care. During 2021, about 391,000 children spent some time in out-of-home care in the US.
contributed over 275,000 volunteer hours in FY 23. Out of 102 Illinois counties, 59 have CASA services available through 31 local programs.
that do not fund their CASA programs with tax-based dollars. Each Illinois CASA must generate their own funding.
