Why the Court Values CASA…
As featured in the website Family Law Casa (http://test-family-law-casa.pantheonsite.io/portfolio-item/hear-from-the-court)
From former King County Superior Court Judge, Larry A. Jordan …
“…THE VOICE OF THE CHILD COMMUNICATED TO THE JUDGE BY THE CASA IS CRITICAL IN KEEPING KING COUNTY CHILDREN SAFE AND IN MAKING THE VERY DIFFICULT AND IMPORTANT DECISION CONCERNING A CHILD’S RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENT AND SCHEDULE.”
Interviews with the court show these SIX WAYS that CASA demonstrates value to the court:
- Providing the child’s perspective: children do not normally participate in the court process; the CASA report gives insight about children, their needs and their wishes
- Basic safety observations of the homes: volunteer advocates visit each party’s home at least once or twice in most cases
- Insights via observation: advocates generally observe each parent with the child engaged in a short activity
- Compile and summarize multiple perspectives: advocates gather information from people familiar with the family, such as doctors, counselors, teachers or daycare personnel
- Participate in the legal process: in some cases, CASA can file a motion to ask the court to order services or to ask for a continuance to gather more information
- Services & Compliance: advocates research services that may strengthen the family and increase safety for the child and advocates can check with the parties about court-ordered services to keep the court informed about obstacles and compliance
