Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc. (CASA) is a 31-year-old, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization with a single mission-to move children quickly through the bureaucratic maze of New York City's foster care system and into safe, permanent homes where they can thrive. The CASA program is unique in that it offers a community volunteer solution to the problems of abused and neglected children in foster care. No other organization performs exactly the same purpose in the same way, providing a neutral entity involved in every aspect of Family Court proceedings involving children in foster care. CASA recruits, trains and supervises volunteer advocates. Through casework, research and advocacy, CASA's community advocates and professional staff work with social service providers, legal representatives, legislators and judges to move children swiftly out of the foster care system and into families with whom they have the stability and permanence they deserve.

All volunteers work closely with a supervisor. The supervisor is available to attend court with the volunteer, or in place of the volunteer, if they are unable to attend.

CASA holds the required training 4 times per year. Firms with more than 10 people who have completed the application process, and are able to commit to 5 very flexible hours per week for a minimum of 1 year may be eligible for CASA to provide the required training on site at the firm.