Statistics show that if a child remains in the “system” more than one year the possibility is very high that he/she will live out his/her subsequent childhood in multiple placements.  Historically, the “system” often has failed this population either in not promoting the satisfactory reunion of the parent and child or in not providing for the successful placement of the child with adoptive parents.

It is from this perspective that Judge Francis G. Poitrast, Chief Justice of the Juvenile Court Department of the Commonwealth and Presiding Judge of the Boston Division, concerned with the need for permanency for these children, established the CASA Program, under the jurisdiction of the Court in 1982.

Since that time, volunteers from the community have given their time to advocate for abused and neglected children.  The basic goal of the CASA/GAL volunteer is to ensure that child victims of abuse and neglect are not overlooked in an overcrowded court system.  CASA volunteers are appointed by the Judge as Guardian ad Litems for “Best Interest”.  These GAL's conduct thorough on-going investigations and present relevant facts at court hearings and provide advocacy,  to ensure that services are being provided to the children.

The Boston CASA Program is a department of the Suffolk County Juvenile Court.  At the present time one Probation Officer is assigned to the program. The Chief Probation Officer oversees staff activity.  The role of staff is to screen applicants, provide training, process referrals, and provide supervision to volunteers working on cases.