CASA of the Southern Tier

CASA of the Southern Tier is a non-profit agency in Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben, and Yates counties. CASA (COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE) is an unduplicated program that recruits and trains community volunteers (supervised by professional staff) whose sole responsibility is to advocate for the best interests of abused/neglected children in Family Court proceedings. The needs of the children are lost in the family unit and parental priorities are misaligned which places the children’s welfare at risk.  Family stressors that are faced often puts the children at a higher risk for abuse and neglect.  These children often fend for themselves to find their basic needs and become an object of stress to the caregivers, leading to abuse and/or neglect.  Life in general is tough enough for a child to handle without the added factor of no stability!  

The CASA Advocate contributes quality advocacy to the Family Court process and remains with the child as a continuous unpaid support. The CASA Advocate visits the child in various settings (school, foster care, home, visitation with parents/family). The advocates initially research each case by reviewing family, education, and medical information. Each advocate becomes a “steady” face while getting to know the child's current situation and unseen world. The advocate reaches out to other services and resources in the child’s life to get a big picture and looks at a child's overall wellbeing, suggesting any services that may be of benefit to the child to help them thrive. A court report on the current situation of the child, concerns, and recommendations are forwarded to the court/judge. This information also builds on the strengths of the child's family, community, and culture so the judge can make the most well-informed decision on what is in the child's best interest.  The impact of each child to have their own personal "cheerleader", looking out for their best interest may make a difference between the child floundering in the system or blossoming with appropriate resources and support.  Through the journey, the CASA puts the child's needs in the forefront and helps to attain stability in the child's life through the placement in a safe-nurturing home.

Who We Are

CASA's Mission

To advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in Family Court by recruiting and training community volunteers.

CASA's are the only volunteers that are appointed by a judge and empowered to stand up for an abused or neglected child in court. We invite you to learn more about becoming a CASA in your community. We hope you decide to join our family of volunteers, everyday people, who are committed to improving children's lives.

CASA's History

CASA of Chemung County, Inc. began to form in 1988 when the New York Task Force on Permanency Planning and the Junior League of Elmira approached the Chemung County Family Court with information about the benefits to be gained through the use of CASA volunteers in Family Court. The first case was assigned in 1989.

In the summer of 1994, CASA received a Senate Initiative Grant from Senator Kuhl and a Schuyler County Youth Bureau grant to expand services to Schuyler County. CASA started providing services in Schuyler County in November of 1994. In 1996, a part-time Supervisor was hired to cover Chemung and Schuyler Counties.

In August 2002, CASA expanded services into Steuben County and in January 2003 became CASA of the Southern Tier, Inc. This expansion increased the service population to over 203,000 and the coverage area to 2100 square miles.

What Is a CASA Volunteer?

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen receiving special training in advocacy - who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in Family Court. CASA volunteers assure that the court and child welfare systems remain focused on children’s well-being and that the specific needs of individual children, including their needs for safety and permanency, are addressed expeditiously.

When a CASA volunteer is appointed to a child's case, the CASA Volunteer takes the time to find out as much as possible about that child. CASA Volunteers review records, interview family, relatives, teachers, service providers, and -- most important -- the child. These volunteers then appear in court, alongside attorneys and caseworkers, to recommend to a judge what's best for that child's future. We know that a child who is represented by a CASA volunteer stands a better chance of living in a safe, permanent home. According to the National CASA Association, more than 90% of children with CASA volunteers never reenter the child welfare system, a significant difference compared to the general foster care population.