Fleck, JimGarcia, AlejandraMegerssa, Becky2013-02-262013-02-262012-06https://hdl.handle.net/1794/12634Examining committee: Jessica Greene, faculty supervisorSince its creation by a family court judge in Seattle in 1977, the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program has proven itself an effective and successful advocate for abused and neglected children. CASA advocates are court-appointed volunteers (CASAs) who serve as essential liaisons between the juvenile court system and the case workers in the Child Welfare system. CASAs serve to compile case information, assist children in court proceedings, and perform general advocacy functions until foster-home placement occurs. In 2011, 75,000 advocates assisted 240,000 foster children nationwide.en-USrights_reservedOther