Heart of Missouri CASA 

Heart of Missouri CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) believes that all children have the right to safe, healthy, stable homes, free from abuse and neglect. Our mission is to provide a trained community CASA volunteer to all abused and neglected children in the 13th Judicial Circuit Family Court. The CASA volunteer, serving as a court-appointed advocate for the child, will prevent the child from getting lost in the system by being sensitive to the child's needs and presenting these needs to the Court. Through these advocacy efforts, CASA is working with the Court to ensure that every child has a chance for a brighter future. A CASA volunteer is a trained advocate who promotes and pursues the best interest of abused or neglected children in court. The role of the CASA volunteer in a child abuse or neglect case is to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case, make an independent evaluation with recommendations regarding actions the CASA believes are in the child's best interest  - both short and long term, and to monitor the case until a permanent placement is achieved.           1005 Cherry Street, Suite 218 . Columbia, MO 65201. phone(573)442-4427 . fax (573)442.4124