To Change a Child’s Life, Fund CASA

In a courtroom full of adults deciding a child’s future, there is one person whose only job is to advocate for the child: the CASA volunteer.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate, and these trained volunteers are matched one-on-one with children in foster care. Their job is simple—but profound: get to know the child, understand what they need, and speak up for them in court, at school, and in the community. When a child has a CASA, they gain a consistent adult who listens, supports, and shows up—week after week.

In Yolo County, CASA volunteers have been changing lives for over three decades. Our program began in 1996 thanks to a passionate group of advocates, judges, and attorneys who believed our foster youth deserved more. Since then, hundreds of children have had a CASA by their side—someone to make sure their voices don’t get lost in the system.

CASAs help children reunite with family, succeed in school, access therapy, and sometimes even ensure siblings stay together during adoption. Volunteers commit to being a stable presence for at least 18 months, often longer. In a system where social workers and lawyers change frequently, that kind of consistency matters. Yet despite the impact, our funding is fragile.

CASA of Yolo County is a private nonprofit providing what are essentially public services—at no cost to the court or social workers. But we can’t do this alone. If we are to reach every child who needs a CASA, we need the State’s help.

That’s why we’re asking our legislators to support California CASA’s 2025—26 budget request. This funding would allow local programs like ours to recruit, train, and support more volunteers, helping more children in foster care find stability, connection, and a voice.

The need has never been greater. According to the 2025 Yolo County State of the Nonprofit Sector Report, local nonprofits are facing rising expenses, volunteer shortages, and staff burnout. CASA programs are no exception. We are working harder than ever to meet the needs of children experiencing trauma and instability, but we need predictable, multi-year funding to make our work sustainable.

When you invest in CASA, you’re investing in outcomes that ripple across a child’s lifetime. Research shows that children with a CASA are more likely to succeed in school, find a permanent home, and avoid re-entering foster care. They’re also far less likely to experience incarceration or homelessness.

A CASA can change the course of a life. But we can’t do it without you.

We urge our state legislators—Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Senator Christopher Cabaldon, ASA—to support this year’s funding request and ensure every child in foster care in Yolo County has someone by their side. We also encourage community members to call these offices and ask for their support.

Your voice matters. And to our community: if you’re curious about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit www.yolocasa.org.

Together, we can give our most vulnerable children the voice and stability they deserve.

By Doni DeBolt, Executive Director, Yolo County CASA