A CASA is a trained adult who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. Most of the children helped by CASA volunteers are victims of abuse or neglect and all are considered "children in need of care."

A CASA volunteer provides a judge with a carefully researched view of the child's current situation to help the court make a sound decision about that child's future. The volunteer must determine if it is in a child's best interest to stay with his or her parents or guardians, be placed in foster care, or be freed for permanent adoption. The CASA volunteer submits a written recommendation on placement and other issues to the judge and follows through on the case until it is permanently resolved.

CASA volunteers work closely with social workers, attorneys and other professionals on each case. The volunteer takes time to get to know each child they advocate for and informs the court how the child feels about the situation and what the child's wishes are. Advocates are also charged with providing an independent and objective assessment of the situation in order to determine whether those wishes are actually in the best interest of the child.