- The role of National CASA/GAL Association is to strategically establish, promote and support the formation, recruitment, training, development and activities of highly effective member programs.
- Establish, promote and support the formation, training, development and activities of highly effective state organizations
- In partnership with state organizations, strategically establish, promote and support the formation, recruitment, training, development and activities of highly effective local programs that work to provide high quality volunteers to act as the Court Appointed Special Advocates (“CASA”) or guardians ad litem (“GAL”) for children and youth who come into the court system as a result of abuse or neglect¹, and to advocate for their best interests, so that every child can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive
- Establish membership criteria, policies and practices for all affiliations with the National CASA/GAL Association i.e., local programs, state organizations, auxiliaries, individual memberships, strategic alliances and partnerships
- Establish the core model for CASA/GAL advocacy
- Promote, manage, conduct and encourage evidence-based research, scholarship, education, training and the distribution of information in, between and among volunteer CASA and GAL programs
- Lead a child advocacy movement through public education and awareness regarding children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect
- Develop and disseminate materials to promote the CASA/GAL program and increase the public’s awareness resulting in increased volunteers, donors and other program supporters
- Build and protect the National CASA/GAL brand
- Establish CASA/GAL standards and ensure achievement through a quality assurance process
- Develop and provide a national standardized curriculum that trains volunteer advocates and staff to deliver positive outcomes for children
- Take the primary role in seeking federal funding and national policy to build capacity and advance the goals of the mission
- Build and grow the relationships with Federal, State and Tribal legislative, judicial and executive branches of government in furtherance of our mission
- Maintain, strengthen and deepen the relationships with partners to further the mission of the organization
- Develop roles and activities for local programs and state organizations and approves any ancillary activities
- Identify and promote the replication and spread of best practices and models in the provision of volunteer court-based advocacy for children who are victims of abuse and neglect²
¹National CASA/GAL Association’s core model does not extend to family law, probate, diversion, private petitions or delinquency cases. Children must be adjudicated as dependent or its equivalent.
²National CASA/GAL Association’s core model does not extend to family law, probate, diversion, private petitions or delinquency cases. Children must be adjudicated as dependent or its equivalent.