THE

HELP MODEL

At Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County, you can HELP a youth in foster care break the cycle of abuse. We train volunteers to stand beside a child—amplifying their voice and championing their needs to help them reach their full potential.

The CASA Model

CASA volunteers are not informal mentors — they are court-appointed officers of the court.

Through judicial appointment, CASA volunteers operate with the authority of the court, allowing them to:

  • Access case-relevant records

  • Attend court hearings

  • Submit written court reports

  • Advocate directly to the judge regarding a child’s best interests

CASA of Orange County provides each volunteer with:

  • Comprehensive pre-service training

  • Ongoing continuing education

  • Professional supervision and coaching from a CASA staff member - their Advocate Supervisor

  • Structured advocacy tools aligned with the HELP Model

Over 90% of CASA volunteers report receiving effective support from their Advocate Supervisors.

The HELP Model

Our innovative, strengths-based framework equips CASA volunteers with practical tools and staff support to help children build transformative connections, healthy habits, and life skills—sparking hope and improving the wellness of the child.

HEALTH:: Championing the health and well-being of youth through access to health care, emotional support, and safe, healthy development. 

EDUCATION: Ensuring every youth has a stable school experience, stays engaged in learning, and receives the support needed to make meaningful academic progress. 

LIFE SKILLS: Helping youth build the skills to express their needs, develop positive relationships, manage emotions, and grow in independence and the practical life skills needed for everyday success. 

PERMANENCY: Ensuring youth have safe, stable homes, strong family connections, and a path to long-term permanency.

Resiliency Requires a Circle of Support

Children heal in community.

Outcomes improve when a collaborative team  of support is coordinated around a child’s well-being. CASAs are able to communicate with and help to support collaboration across the variety of professionals and adults working to provide support to a youth during their time in foster care. These include: 

  • Teachers and school staff

  • Coaches and mentors

  • Caregivers and relatives

  • Neighborhoods and faith communities

  • Social workers and legal advocates

  • Direct service providers

When aligned, these supports improve:

  • Overall health

  • Educational attainment

  • Successful transition to adulthood

  • Placement stability

  • Permanency outcomes

The #1 protective factor for a child who has experienced trauma is:

A stable, consistent connection with a caring adult.

CASA volunteers can become that connection.

Youth served by CASA of Orange County confirms the impact of these relationships:

  • 91% say their CASA shows they care

  • 88% say their CASA listens to them

  • 84% say their CASA makes their life better

CASA volunteers:

  • Show up consistently

  • Listen without judgment

  • Advocate in court

  • Celebrate milestones

  • Provide relational stability in a system defined by transitions

Volunteers are typically matched with youth for an average of 3.5 years, with 80% describing their relationship as close or very close — many continuing even after court involvement ends. These protective relationships help shift outcomes from risk toward resilience.