Author(s): Tara Caplin, Ives Hong, Mattison Hillin, Hallee Hassell
Mentor(s): Dannelle Larsen-Rife
Institution UTech
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are essential in supporting the healthy development of children involved in child protection cases. CASAs are trained volunteers who provide tailored advocacy for children under the guidance of Guardian ad litems, who often handle heavy caseloads (Litzelfelner, 2008). There are 88,000 children and 227,500 volunteers in 49 of the 50 United States (National CASA/GAL Association for Children, n.d.). The children supported by CASA programs are often involved in emotionally taxing government investigations and court proceedings due to experiences of neglect or abuse. Evaluating the effectiveness of this program through a trauma-informed and developmental lens is essential to enhancing impactful, child-centered resources within the court system. This narrative literature review evaluates the effectiveness of CASA programs in promoting resilience and positive developmental outcomes while emphasizing the need for more longitudinal research. Compared to children without CASA engagement, those who receive CASA support have a higher chance of achieving stable, permanent placements and showing improvements in their social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes (Abramson, 1991; Condelli, 1988). Existing research indicates CASA's child-centered approach helps mitigate negative experiences by promoting stability and resilience, ultimately promoting favorable developmental outcomes for children (Waxman, et al., 2009). Despite encouraging findings, many gaps in research on the effectiveness of CASA remain. The long-term effects of CASA participation on developmental outcomes are not well studied in longitudinal research. The majority of current research uses cross-sectional data, which restricts our comprehension of the long-term advantages that CASA offers. Longitudinal studies should be given priority in future research to more accurately evaluate CASA's contribution to long-term health and resilience. Furthermore, additional research is required to determine how CASA programs meet the varied needs of kids from different socioeconomic, cultural, and family situations. Overall, CASA programs offer necessary advocacy and assistance to children experiencing uncertainty and substantial change while in the child welfare system. Through a focus on stability, resilience, and personalized care, CASA volunteers help ensure the long-term success and healthy development of at-risk children. Addressing research gaps and enhancing program efficacy will further solidify CASA as a vital resource for children during critical developmental stages. Keywords: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), advocacy, resilience, developmental outcomes.