The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Kern County speaks for abused and neglected children in the juvenile dependency process. Through the use of highly trained volunteers, the CASA program seeks to provide every child who needs an advocate with a voice in the court process. CASA of Kern County's goal is to protect and insure each child's right to a safe, permanent home. These children have come into the juvenile dependency court system as the victims of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. Their caretakers have been unable to keep them safe and now social services and the legal systems have entered their lives. The CASA volunteer is a sworn officer of the court whose job is to provide the juvenile court judge or referee with an independent assessment of the circumstances of the child. The CASA's report is drawn from their evaluation of interviews they conduct with key parties in the child's life. The CASA makes recommendations for the disposition of the case based on the child's total circumstances. In addition, the CASA attends all court hearings pertaining to the child. With the support of the program staff, they represent the interest of the child in the proceedings, which are normally scheduled every six months. CASA of Kern County began operation in the summer of 1994, lead by Judge Robert J. Anspach, attorney Teri Foley, mental health therapist Judy Newman and funded by Bakersfield Junior League, to serve as an independent voice for the best interest of dependent children- abused, neglected, and abandoned children living in protective care in Kern County, California. Our mission is to recruit, screen and train volunteers from communities throughout Kern County to serve as advocates in child protection proceedings. We also support and closely supervise the advocacy work of our volunteers throughout the duration of their assignments.