CASA of the Eastern Panhandle, Inc. (CASA-EP) is a 501(c)(3), established in May 2003 to meet the needs of children involved in abuse and neglect JA-cases (Juvenile Abuse) through no fault of their own. Since its inception, CASA-EP has been using the skills of highly trained, compassionate volunteers to fill a void in an overburdened child welfare system. These volunteers advocate for the best interest of the children in JA court cases in Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties. CASA exists to protect the interest of abused and neglected children; to train volunteers to advocate on behalf of the children in our community and the court system, until every child has a safe, loving, and permanent home.
CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for children, to make sure they don't get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers stay with each case (child) until it is closed. For many children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.
Children with a CASA volunteer have been consistently shown to perform better in school, half as likely to return to foster care after placement, and spend less time in foster care (on average five months) than their peers who are without an advocate.A CASA volunteer changes a child's story by giving them a voice and advocating for their individual needs.
