LINCOLN- In 2022 alone, over 2,000 abused or neglected children in Nebraska had a court appointed special advocate, or CASA, who helped them navigate through the court process. A 'CASA' is a screened and trained volunteer appointed by a judge to advocate for a foster child who has been removed from their home following an instance of abuse or neglect.

CASAs thoroughly research the child's case and conducts interviews with the child, their providers, and their teachers, and share relevant facts with judges to help the court make more informed decisions regarding the child's future. "Our goal is to make sure that every child is going back to their home safely," said Corrie Kietly, a representative of the Nebraska CASA Association, "If that's not possible, then we find another safe and loving home for the child."

Currently, Nebraska CASA has around 960 volunteer advocates, with around 1,000 children in Nebraska's foster care system that still need a CASA. "Kids who are in foster care and who have CASA volunteers have better outcomes, do better in school, and get better services for the family," said Kietly, "That's just because there's another person involved in helping move that case along."

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