CASA Fundamentals
The primary tool CASA's use to share information with the court
What is the CASA court report?
Writing reflects only what can be seen or heard
What is objective writing?
This section should read like a "movie camera" stating only facts
What is the narrative section?
These positive statements come before concerns in the court report
What are strengths?
This is always the first recommendation after court involvement
What is placement?
Clear, concise, complete, consistent are known as these
What are the 4 c's?
Words like "lazy" "selfish" fall under this type of language
What is subjective, judgmental language
These narratives should always be listed first
The narratives of the children
Strengths must be listed for this group first
Who are the children?
All recommendations must focus on this overarching principle
What is the child's best interest?
This section lists dates, names, case numbers, and other identifiers
What is the basic information section?
Statements must be based on this type of factual, unbiased information
What is objective information?
When reporting something someone else said you must identify this
What is the source?
Parent attended 3 therapy sessions is an example of identifying this
What is a small step of progress? A strength
Adding details like bi-weekly visits supervised by an approved adult adds these
What are outcome measures?
Reports are submitted to the court by the coordinator (only) using this system
What is EDMS?
Adding concrete, descriptive detail increases this
What is specificity?
Generic phrases like "slow progress" should be replaced with these
What are concrete, measurable details
Concerns should always tie back to facts found in this section
What is the narrative section?
Therapy recommendations must specify when this type is needed
What is trauma-informed therapy?
Section where facts become conclusions written as this CASA is concerned.....
What is the concerns section?
Words like "appears" "observed" "stated" help maintain this style
What is objective descriptive language?
Summaries of notes and what you have seen, heard, read, observed during the court report time period
What are narratives?
When HHS does not provide needed services, CASA's may highlight gaps in these
What are reasonable efforts?
Recommendations should avoid making demands families can't meet to avoid this
What is setting parents up for failure?