Judges and Others Endorse Work of CASA Volunteers 

	Hon. J. Dean Lewis (retired) Editor, Judges Page newsletter Judges have a keen awareness that dependency courts cannot address all of the needs of abused and neglected children and their families alone. They know that a successful CASA/GAL program and its dedicated volunteers are essential to effectively serving abused and neglected children. I applaud the work of the CASA/GAL volunteers and all who support their advocacy on behalf of our most vulnerable children.
	Marian Wright Edelman Founder and President, Children's Defense Fund Keeping children safe must be everybody's business. CASA volunteers play a unique role on behalf of some of our most vulnerable children. Their commitment, vigilance and persistence offer hope where there has been little. They help to light the way for these children—and for all of us.
	Anna Quindlen Author and Columnist  The lawyers know the statutes, the social workers the regulations. But the CASA volunteer is assigned to know the child, one child at a time, to understand the boundaries of her life, to telephone her teachers, to consider her hopes and dreams, to try to come to some conclusion about what will be in her best interests. For children whose pasts have been chaotic and whose futures are uncertain, the CASA volunteer may be the most consistent, interested presence in their lives.
	Hon. Robert Brutinel, Presiding Judge, Yavapai County Superior Court 2010 National CASA Association Judge of the Year Prescott, AZ The one constant I see in children’s lives is the CASA. They are the ones that receive the graduation announcements. They are the ones still called upon to be mentors for children as they continue to grow and become adults. I thank them for all the things they have taught me about being a better judge and about being a better a human being.
	John D. Rockefeller IV US Senator It's increasingly difficult for the courts and social workers to make the system work for families and children. This is why CASA volunteers are so essential. They provide valuable information and insight about individual children. CASA deserves our deep admiration and support.
	Judge Michael Nash Presiding Judge, Los Angeles Juvenile Court, CA I have seen CASA volunteers help find services for children that I was told were not available and I have seen them find permanent placements for children when our system faltered in that regard. In many instances, the efforts of CASA volunteers were absolutely heroic.

More Voices of Support for CASA Work

Chief Justices and State Court Administrators: "The Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators recognize and commend the efforts and contributions of the CASA volunteers in assisting children before the court."

National Association of Counties (NACo): "Counties have a long history of support for CASA programs. Evaluations have found that CASA volunteers excel in advocating for a child's best interest and are appointed to the more complex cases. NACo supports Congressional reauthorization of the CASA program under the Violence Against Women Act."

Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care: "CASA is a proven means of strengthening the voice of children in dependency courts."

American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law: "CASA is an effective way that private citizens can respond to our nation's child protection emergency."