What is a MA DCF Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)?

A “CASA” stands for “court appointed special advocate.” CASAs are volunteers appointed by a juvenile court. They write a report on a family involved with a MA DCF Care and Protection (C&P) case or a MA DCF Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) case. CASAs are supposed to uncover the facts of the case and put them in their report. A CASA is responsible for speaking for the child. Many CASA’s believe themselves to be advocates for children. They will read out their report during the hearing for the case in front of the judge. This process is crucial, especially when dealing with situations like dcf parental alienation and understanding what are my rights during a dcf investigation.

A CASA does not need to have any training, educational background, or skills related to child welfare practices. However, understanding the DCF investigation process That means anyone who wants to be can become a CASA. Despite their lack of experience, a CASA’s report is still considered reliable evidence. They are considered officers of the court as soon as they are appointed. A CASA can either help or hurt a family. A good CASA would be someone who adds relevant information to a court investigator’s report. CASAs are volunteers. Unlike court investigators and guardian ad litems, they are not paid to be at court and they are not paid for writing their report. The national CASA volunteer program was started in the 1980’s.

 Kevin Seaver is a trusted MA DCF Attorney Specializing in DCF Law since 1991. 

You find yourself in this situation, it’s advisable to seek legal representation from a qualified attorney, like those at the Law Office of Kevin Seaver, who can advocate for your rights and guide you through the complex process of a DCF investigation.

Remember that the ultimate goal of DCF is to ensure the safety and well-being of children while supporting families in crisis.

Please note that this article does not create an Attorney-Client relationship between our law firm and the reader and is provided for informational purposes only. Information in this article does not apply to all readers.

Readers should not rely on this information as legal advice and should seek specific counsel from the attorney based on personal circumstances.

Thank you. Kevin Patrick Seaver is a Massachusetts DCF Defense Lawyer who represents parents against false child abuse allegations.

Massachusetts DCF Defense Lawyer Kevin Seaver has been successfully fighting false child abuse allegations since 1991.