Maine CASA

Maine CASA provides volunteer advocates for abused, neglected, or abandoned children when the state has requested court intervention because their parents are not able to care for them. These children are part of Maine’s child welfare system through no fault of their own and many have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect they have suffered.

The Maine Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program holds training for volunteer advocates in August and March of every year.  The four-day training is free, and attendees learn about all aspects of child advocacy. 

Maine CASAs are community volunteers who are appointed to serve as guardians ad litem for children whose parents are involved in a child protection case.  The foundation of a CASA’s work is to investigate the case and then advise the judge in writing of what the CASA believes is in the child’s best interest.

CASAs come from a wide variety of professional and personal backgrounds and are guided throughout the process by staff attorneys.  CASAs bring their own unique perspectives to their work as volunteers.

Last year, hundreds of children had a volunteer CASA who served as the child’s voice in court. Right now, there are more foster children than CASAs.  If you have a big heart and are willing to speak up for a Maine child, we invite you to apply to become a CASA. You must be 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. You do not need any special training to apply. Along with completing an application, you will need to provide three references and consent to a criminal and child protection background check.

Are you ready to stand up for a child who needs you?  If so, we hope you can join us for our training.  You can find out more about the Maine CASA Program and access the application by visiting our website at www.casaofmaine.org.  Please “like” us on Facebook at Maine CASA.

For more information about becoming a volunteer, contact Maine CASA at 213-2865 or e-mail: casa@@courts.maine.gov

Maine CASA serves abused, neglected, or abandoned children by recruiting, training, and overseeing adult volunteers who are appointed by a district court judge to speak and advocate for the best interests of the child.  CASA guardians ad litem help the judge decide what is in a child’s best interest and how to find a safe and permanent home for the child.

A CASA guardian ad litem is a responsible, caring adult and advocate for the child while their parents’ case moves through the child welfare system.  The CASA guardian ad litem builds a relationship with a child.  During a child protection case, the CASA is one of the few consistent adults in the child’s life and, for that reason, the volunteer advocate’s recommendations to the court are very important.