CASA volunteers are highly effective in getting their recommendations accepted in court. In four out of five cases, all or almost all CASA volunteer recommendations are accepted.

“CASA volunteer court reports are useful tools providing me with detailed information about the children in my courtroom. Every day I make important decisions that affect the lives of children in foster care—of course I want as much information as possible—I want to know what the child wants and needs, I want to know what their teachers and healthcare providers say. CASAs tell me all of that and more. I am grateful to CASA volunteers for providing this service.” – Former San Francisco Juvenile Court Presiding Judge, Donna J. Hitchens (more…)

Foster children are frequently absent from school and subject to disciplinary referrals.

SFCASA volunteers are qualified under California’s Education Code to serve as Surrogate Parents For Education Purposes if no family member is able to represent the client child’s interests in an Individualized Education Plan proceeding.

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A child with a CASA volunteer is less likely to reenter the child welfare system. The proportion of reentries is consistently reduced by half.

“My CASA volunteer has given me stability in a world that has none. Even in difficult situations, she knows just what to do. She is a bright spot in my dark world.” – former foster youth

20 Days in May is SFCASA’s campaign to commemorate our 20^th anniversary, increase awareness about the issues facing youth in foster care in San Francisco, and raise enough money to move 20 youth from the wait list to the care of a dedicated CASA volunteer.  For 20 days in May, SFCASA will share a daily photo and message meant to educate, motivate and inspire our community to get involved with SFCASA and the important work our volunteers do to improve the lives of children in foster care. SFCASA has been serving San Francisco’s abused and neglected children every day for 20 years, growing from a program serving 11 youth in our first year to now serving more than 335 children each year–yet we still have a wait list of 120 youth in need of the dedicated advocacy of an SFCASA volunteer.  Please help us remove children from the waitlist– donate today!