What is CASA

CASA of Third Judicial District is a rural area that serves The most severe child victims of crime abuse/neglect in Jackson, Lawrence, Randolph and Sharp Counties from ages 0-21 who are in the foster care system. These children are victims of severe abuse and neglect including, but not limited to sexual abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence, family violence, child pornography, abandonment, trafficking and other horrific acts. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and are governed by a board of directors. Gateway CASA works with community partners such as DHS, Guardians ad Litem, parent counsel, several school districts, professional counseling agencies, local law enforcement, child homes and facilities across Arkansas. Staff experts provide recruited volunteers with 30 hours of training and additional continuing education in-services throughout the year. Advocacy support performs tasks vital to serving abused and neglected children including providing volunteer support in court, acting as liaison with court personnel, accompanying volunteers on home visits, assisting with court reporting and other duties. Staff members provide volunteers with the expertise and knowledge to become highly effective advocates in court.

Our Mission

The Mission of CASA of the 3rd Judicial District of Arkansas, Inc. is to recruit, train and support court appointed volunteer so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.

Our Values

We value children above all else. With that value we focus on:

RESPECT

The ability to value and honor another person and accepting somebody for who they are.

COMMITMENT

Serving children, families, community partners, and one another with empathy and concern.

RELATIONSHIPS

To build relationships with respect, boundaries, trust and support.

ADVOCACY

Protect and promote the rights of children with dedication and consistency.

HOPE

Influencing the lives of children with perseverance to achieve goals.