I am for supporting permanent solutions for children.

Children with a CASA volunteer are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care, defined as more than three years in care: 13.3% for CASA cases versus 27.0% of all children in foster care.*

Cases involving a CASA volunteer are more likely to be "permanently closed," i.e., the children are less likely to reenter the child welfare system than cases where a CASA volunteer is not involved. Just 9% of CASA children reenter the system. This is in contrast to 16% not served by a volunteer.*

Total Annual Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States—Direct Costs
(costs associated with the immediate needs of abused or neglected children)**

Services Estimated Annual Direct Cost
Hospitalization $6,625,959,263
Mental Health Care System $1,080,706,049
Child Welfare Services System $25,361,329,051
Law Enforcement $33,307,770
Total Direct Cost $33,101,302,133


Total Annual Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States—Indirect Costs
(costs associated with long-term and secondary effects of child abuse and neglect)**

Services Estimated Annual Indirect Cost
Special Education $2,410,306,242
Juvenile Delinquency $7,174,814,134
Mental Health and Health Care $67,863,457
Adult Criminal Justice System $27,979,811,982
Lost Productivity to Society $33,019,919,544
Total Indirect Cost $70,652,715,359


Data shows that having a CASA volunteer involved with a child's case helps reduce not only the child's time in care, but also the likelihood of his or her reentry into the system. It stands to reason then that supporting CASA programs is an investment that doesn't just benefit the child; it also can yield huge savings. Certainly the most important thing about helping a child find permanence is that it is what's best for that child. However, another important fact is that lessening a child's time in foster care also reduces child welfare costs. During 2009, 700,000 children spent time in foster care resulting in an estimated annual direct cost to Americans of $33 billion. If the median length of stay in foster care (15.4 months) was shortened by just one month for every child in foster care, the resultant savings would be about $2.75 billion!

With your support, things can turn out differently.

Donate: At CASA of Mendocino & Lake Counties, we subscribe to the Statement of Purpose of the National CASA Association:

"CASA is central to fulfilling society's most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified,
compassionate adult will fight for and protect a child's right to be safe, to be treated with dignity and
respect and to learn and grow in the safe embrace of a loving family."


It is thanks to the generous support of our community that we are able to continue to do the work that needs to be done on behalf of the children who need a CASA advocate most. Your donation, no matter what the amount or whether it is one-time, on-going, or part of your estate planning, is critical to our continued operation. You can donate online, or by sending your check or money order payable to CASA to 327 North State Street, Suite 204, Ukiah, CA 95482. Either way your contributions are secure and, because CASA of Mendocino & Lake Counties is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit, may be considered as a charitable donation on your taxes (Tax I.D. #68-0322512).

Volunteer as...

We are determined to provide a CASA volunteer for every child who needs one. We hope you will join us in that vision by committing your support in every way possible. Together, we will change the world for every abused and neglected child. And we will change the future for their children and generations to come.

* 2006, US Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) audit of the National CASA Association, as required by Congress.
** Prevent Child Abuse America. (2007). Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse & Neglect In the United States. preventchildabuse.org
Helpful Links:
National CASA Association
California CASA Association
Redwood Children's Services