Breakout Session

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): Amplifying Children’s Voices in Child Welfare

Dawn Rockey, Corrie Kielty
Breakout Session E
Wed, Jun 17, 2026 | 9:00 - 10:00am CDT

Session overview

Track:

Advocating for Young Children

Audience level: 

Foundational

Intended audience:

Anyone who interacts directly with young children and/or their families, Anyone who works with young children in the juvenile court system, Attorneys, Child welfare professionals, Childcare providers, Early childhood educators, Early childhood mental health professionals, Early Head Start personnel, EDN providers, Educators, Family support workers, Foster care support workers, Foster parents, Guardians ad Litem, Head Start personnel, Home visitors, Judges, Medical providers, Mental health providers, Parents/caregivers, School administrators, Service providers

Session materials: 

This session does not have any session materials currently.

Session Description

Children in the child welfare system often face overwhelming challenges—frequent moves, disrupted education, and uncertainty about their future. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are trained community volunteers appointed by judges to speak up for a child’s best interests in court. With more than 800 CASA volunteers serving children across 55 Nebraska counties, CASA provides consistent advocacy that can be life-changing for children experiencing the juvenile court system and foster care.

This session will explore how the CASA model works in Nebraska, including the extensive training of CASA staff and volunteers. Presenters will highlight the unique role CASA plays in learning about the child’s circumstances, how CASA complements the work of caseworkers and attorneys, and how community partnerships strengthen outcomes. Participants will also learn about current statewide data, success stories, and opportunities to collaborate with CASA programs to advance child well-being.

Learning objectives

  1. Describe the mission, structure, and impact of the CASA program in Nebraska.
  2. Explain how CASA volunteers contribute to better outcomes for children in foster care.
  3. Identify opportunities to partner with CASA at the local and statewide level.
  4. Recognize the importance of consistent, trauma-informed advocacy in supporting young children involved in the court system.

 

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