Welcome to the Clayton County website that offers information about the program to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Use this site as your tool to learn more about advocacy programs and services that serve the needs of abused, neglected, and abandoned children in our community.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are trained community volunteers appointed by a judge to speak up for the best interests of children involved in juvenile court deprivation proceedings. The ultimate goal of a CASA volunteer is to help make sure the child has a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible! 

After completing 40 hours of classroom training and courtroom observations, CASA volunteers are sworn in by a juvenile court judge to provide an independent voice for children who are brought into the court. They work to learn about the child's needs and make recommendations that will help the judge make far-reaching decisions that affect the child's future.

If you are interested in volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), or would like more information on our comprehensive volunteer training program, please click here or call 678-610-1061. 

UPDATES:

New Advisory Board Office!
The Friends of Clayton County CASA, Inc. now has a new office space.  Located at 124 N. McDonough Street, Suite 101 in downtown Jonesboro, this office not only serves the Advisory Board, but also now staffs the Clayton County CASA Volunteer Training Supervisor and offers a training facility where all CASA Volunteer Training classes are offered.

Interested in Volunteer Training?We are currently accepting applications for prospective CASA volunteers.  Training classes are held quarterly, with an option of attending either day or evening classes.  All classes will be held at the Friends of Clayton County CASA Advisory Board office, located at 124 N. McDonough Street in downtown Jonesboro.  If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteer opportunities please contact our Training Supervisor, Becky Galbreath, at 678-610-1061.  Click on the links below for detailed information on the training schedule, as well as instructions on how to apply for volunteer opportunities.



OTHER LINKS:

• Did you hear about our 2007 Established Program Award of Excellence?
• Visit our NEW Discussion Forum!
• Meet our Newly Sworn Volunteers!
• Volunteer Spotlights for 2007-2008
• Ambassadors Behind CASA (ABCs)
• Visit Georgia CASA
• Visit Metro-Atlanta CASA
• Volunteer Training Schedule
• Volunteer Application
• CASA Success Stories
• 2007 Darlin' Duck Derby
• Statistics
• Motorcycle Ride
• Car Show
• Jonesboro Holiday Parade

2009 CASA EVENTS:

FEBRUARY
CASA staff, volunteers, board members, and foster youth will join our state legislators on February 10, 2009 for the annual CASA and Foster Youth Day at the Capitol.  CASA programs from all around the state will participate.  If you are unable to attend this year, we hope that you can join us next year!

MARCH
Family and friends plan to join CASA staff, CASA board and our court administration and judges for our 36th CASA swearing-in ceremony.  With a large class of CASA volunteers graduating, our CASA program is rapidly moving forward in our attempts to serve each child involved in the court system due to abuse or neglect here in Clayton County. 

On Saturday, March 28, 2009, Georgia CASA will hold their annual GA CASA State Conference.  Each year, the conference is held at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta.  Offering over 20 workshops and the possibility to network with 400 CASA volunteers, staff, board members, and professionals in the child welfare field, this year's conference promises to be one of the best.  For more details about the conferences, including registration information, please click here.

APRIL
Starting April 25 through April 28, the National CASA Association is holding their annual National CASA Conference.  Held this year in Denver, Colorado, CASA volunteers, staff and board members from around the country will come together with leading consultants and legal and social service professionals to identify ways to improve service provision to children who have been abused and neglected.  For more information on the National CASA Association, please click here.


SEPTEMBER
Come join us for our 11th Annual Darlin' Duck Derby.  We plan to make this event bigger and better than ever, in celebration of our eleventh year!  With even more prizes, food, entertainment, and fun for all, this is one duck race that you do not want to miss!!  Mark your calendar for September 26, 2009, and be prepared to be wowed when you join us at the Jonesboro Historic Courthouse, located at 121 S. McDonough Street in downtown Jonesboro.  For more information on this year's Duck Derby, visit our website at www.ducksRcoming.com.

Interesting in volunteering? 
Volunteers are always needed for CASA events! 
Call 678-610-1061 to find out how you can assist in 2009.  Volunteers make  a difference in our lives everyday.  Individual or corporate sponsors are encouraged to join us as advocates for the sake of our future leaders!