In 1976, the first Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) was founded with the purpose of training volunteers to support and represent children in foster care. Within several years’ time, the organization had spread across the United States, and in 1995, the Piedmont Court Appointed Special Advocates’ (PCASA) branch was established, serving children within the city as well as in Albemarle County. Now, PCASA also serves Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, and Orange.
“Our mission is to help children before the courts to find safe, loving, permanent homes and have the opportunity to thrive in those homes,” said Kate Duvall, President and CEO of PCASA. “We carry out our mission by working with volunteers in the community who serve as advocates.”
When PCASA first began its work in Charlotteville, it had only two volunteers who were serving two children. In the 30 years since, it has supported over 2500 children and trained over 900 volunteers who are at the heart of the program.
“Our volunteers are from all walks of life, all throughout our service area. They get to know the child and every adult involved in their life and have access to medical, mental health, and school records for a full picture of the child and who they are as an individual,” Duvall said. “Then they share that report in court with the judge so the judge can make a really informed decision. It’s very in-depth and involved, and it’s an incredibly impactful volunteer role.”
As an independent non-profit, PCASA has the unique ability to hone in and truly focus on the best interests of children assigned to them. Volunteers focus on one child at a time, advocating throughout the life of a case. And while other professionals and individuals involved in these types of cases may change over time, PCASA volunteers remain the one constant adult in that child’s life over many months or even years.
“We had a court-appointed special advocate who worked with a child who came into care and remained in care for four years. The child was in at least four different foster care places and had five different social workers,” Duvall said. “There were a lot of adults in that child’s life -- the one consistent person was the court-appointed special advocate. They were able to get to know the child, identify educational and medical needs, and advocate for those needs to be met. And, advocacy is not limited to the courtroom -- it’s also in the community for different services.”
As PCASA approaches its 30th anniversary, it intends to celebrate in-house and potentially in the community as well. But it is also increasing its efforts to recruit and train volunteers, and encourage community involvement as the need for services increases throughout the region. To learn more about volunteering, donating, or PCASA’s annual fundraiser, Mustaches 4 Kids, visit PCASA.org. “This is work that is hugely important,” Duvall said. “PCASA volunteers are making significant differences in children’s lives.”
Our mission is to help children before the courts to find safe, loving, permanent homes and have the opportunity to thrive in those homes... by working with volunteers in the community who serve as advocates.