Established in 1987, the mission of Alameda County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is to recruit, train and supervise quality volunteer advocates to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the dependency court system. Over the course of our history, CASA volunteers have helped ensure that the emotional and physical safety needs of thousands of abused children have been met, that they have received appropriate educational support and services, that their healthcare needs have been addressed, and that they are placed in home and family situations in which they are most likely to thrive.

As a result of our services, extremely vulnerable children and youth are supported by caring, committed volunteers during a critical period in their lives and their overall health and well-being is significantly improved. In a sea of social workers, attorneys, therapists and caregivers, the CASA volunteer is a consistent and caring friend and advocate for a child. The unique one-on-one relationship that forms between the volunteer and dependent child is often the only stable, positive relationship the child has while in foster care.

Alameda County CASA is a member of the National CASA Association, and is one of more than 900 CASA programs nationwide. CASA is jointly overseen by the Alameda County Health Care Service Agency, the CASA Executive Director, and the Presiding Juvenile Court Judge. The Friends of Alameda County CASA, Inc. (FOACC) is the 501 (c) 3 organization made up of local community members who support CASA by raising public awareness and funds to support CASA's work.

For a complete history and information on how to become a volunteer, please go to the main CASA of Alameda website located at http://www.casaofalamedacounty.org