What is CASA?
CASA of Rochester/Monroe County, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to train and supervise a diverse group of volunteers to advocate for children who have been abused and/or neglected. These children are at risk of being removed, or have been removed, from their homes. CASA’s goal is that all children have a safe, permanent home as soon as possible.

What does CASA do?
Once they are trained, CASA volunteers meet and talk to the different people involved in the case to which they are assigned. The volunteers gather factual information and bring the information back to the Family Court Judge. With more information in hand, the judge can make a more informed decision as to what should happen next in the lives of the children involved.

For more information, please see the Volunteer section.

How does CASA become involved in a case?
The only way CASA can become involved in a case is by assignment of a Family Court Judge. The Family Court Judge assigns CASA to a case so that CASA can provide the court with information about the child and his or her family.

How large is the CASA program?
CASA of Rochester/Monroe County, Inc. serves families throughout Monroe County, New York. We have 48 volunteers and 6 staff members. Throughout 2007, our dedicated volunteers and staff members served over 360 children. CASA of Rochester/Monroe County, Inc. is part of a larger, national organization. There are 24 CASA programs throughout New York State with over 650 volunteers. Throughout the United States, there are 946 CASA programs with 57,938 volunteers.

How is CASA funded?
CASA is fortunate to receive financial assistance from a variety of sources. Monroe County Family Court provides office space and support services. The NYS Unified Court System's Office of Court Administration has given CASA a grant for many years. Financial contributions are received from the Interest on Lawyers Account (IOLA) and from grants from foundations, civic organizations, school groups, businesses, and places of worship. Community-minded citizens make individual donations to CASA through their United Way designation #1358 or via the State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) #66-0949.

 
The Annual CASA Golf Tournament is our major  fundraiser. For more information about this tournament, see the Golf Tourney section. From time to time, smaller fundraising events are organized by CASA Board members, civic organizations, and friends of CASA. The CASA office sells snacks to court employees as an additional source of revenue.

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