Survey Says…
Each year we survey our volunteers and key professionals including Child Protective Services workers, attorneys and judges. The surveys highlight what is working in the program and where we can make improvements. From all the feedback there is one big highlight – CASA Volunteers do make a difference, and we need more of them.
Highlights from Volunteers:
Statement rankings:
“I feel adequately trained” – 98% agree or strongly agree, 1% disagree or strongly disagree
“I feel I receive adequate supervision” – 93% agree or strongly agree, 3% disagree or strongly disagree
“I feel I am making a difference for the children I work with” – 90% agree or strongly agree, 0% disagree or strongly disagree
“CASA staff is responsive to my needs” – 96% agree or strongly agree, 3% disagree or strongly disagree
“I feel valued by my CASA Staff” – 94% agree or strongly agree, 5% disagree or strongly disagree
“I am overall satisfied with CASA program” – 94% very satisfied or satisfied, 6% somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied
Comments for improvement include:
More specific training, more involvement in Caldwell County, and more resources
Comments for overall program:
“The staff from top down is extremely helpful and professional and very accommodating. I am very proud to be a member of this organization.”
“I’ve been involved as a volunteer throughout my life in many organizations. CASA is by far the best.”
“I am so impressed with this CASA program and how they support their volunteers. Nothing but admiration and respect for the program and the CASA Supervisors.”
Highlights from Attorneys:
Results from the Attorney survey includes attorneys both for parents and for children.
83% of the attorneys worked more than 50 cases with CASA.
Statement rankings
“CASA provides information prior to court” – 82% agree or strongly agree, 8% disagree or strongly disagree
“CASA is prepared” 99% agree or strongly agree, 0% disagree or strongly disagree
“CASA provides critical information” 75% agree or strongly agree, 0% disagree or strongly disagree
“CASA has positive impact” 75% agree or strongly agree, 8% disagree or strongly disagree
“The main reason I want CASA on the case” – 25% conflict of interest, 16% multiple children, 16% children and parents have special needs, severe abuse or far placement, 41% all of the above
“The most important role of CASA” – #1 maintain contact with children and #2 advocate for services for the children.
Comments for why Attorneys want CASA on cases:
“Preference for another set of eyes on the children and parents.”
“CASA provides an unbiased, unjaded approach to the drive and focus of best interest for the subject children.”
Comment for how can CASA improve:
More training for CASA volunteers in the law and the process for CPS cases.
Highlights from CPS:
All respondents Agree or Strongly Agree that “CASA volunteers”:
Act professionally
Have an understanding of children’s needs
Are working for the best interest of children
Make a difference with the children they serve
Would like to see more children served by CASA
Influence court’s decision
Visit children regularly.
Highlights from Judges:
Eighty percent of the judges surveyed have worked with CASA volunteers on cases for 10-15 years, and 20% have worked with them for more than 15 years.
More than 50% of the judges consider CASA’s input “a great deal” for:
Placement and stability and permanence placement with siblings
Restrictiveness of placement
Location of placement
Safety of children while in placement
Zero percent said they are not likely to consider CASA’s opinion for any category.
“What factors do you consider in your decision to appoint CASA?”:
“If the kids are in the system, CASA is considered Good, period.”
“I always want CASA’s neutral common sense input.”
“Let’s be clear. I want CASA in all CPS contested cases.”
“I always consider CASA’s input as unbiased and based on life experience and common sense.”
“How useful is CASA in”:
Contact with children – 100% said very useful
Contact with bio parents – 60% said very useful
Written reports to the court – 60% said very useful
Verbal testimony to the court – 100% said very useful
Zero percent said not useful or not likely to any question
How effective is CASA? More than half said Very Effective in:
Considering best interest
Working with others in the court system
Researching the case facts and preparing info for the court
Monitoring the case Informing the court about placement options and assisting with permanent placement for the children Advocating for services, educational advocacy and mental heal advocacy.
Zero percent said not effective in any of the above
Statement rankings:
80% strongly agree with the statement “I assign CASA to the most difficult cases”.
100% disagree or strongly disagree with: “There are sufficient volunteers to meet my caseload”.
100% agree or strongly agree CASA volunteers: Make appropriate recommendations, have knowledge beneficial to decision making and have adequate training.
100% Strongly Agree or Agree that children and families are better served because of CASA volunteer involvement.