Our Purpose

RAPPAHANNOCK CASA’S MISSION is to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, permanent home with the opportunity to thrive. Our volunteers work diligently to make sure each child’s needs are identified and met and that no child lingers in foster care or returns to an abusive home. We advocated for our first child in 1990. While our caseload fluctuates, we typically serve about 170 children per year — in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, King George and Stafford. Judges appoint us to serve children in foster care; under protective orders or Child in Need of Services petitions; or in custody cases with abuse or neglect allegations.

WE BELIEVE IN:

• Effective intervention. Childhood trauma can create lifelong challenges if unaddressed. We promote helpful services and healing relationships that can build resilience and offset Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES).
• Collaboration. We communicate with professionals throughout the child welfare system and community to promote children’s best interests.
• Child-centered advocacy. We keep children’s needs at the forefront and always prioritize their well-being. Adults’ voices can be loudest in the child welfare system; we elevate children’s voices and make sure they are heard.
• Family preservation/connection. We believe it’s best for children to grow up with their biological families whenever safely possible. We support efforts to strengthen families and keep them together, so long as it is safe. We recognize the importance of biological family bonds and promote efforts to keep those bonds intact.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe in safe, nurturing homes for all children, regardless of background, identity or ability, and we recognize the value of having advocates who reflect the diversity of the children we serve.
• Financial stewardship. We use our resources wisely to ensure that we stay financially stable and ready to serve every child in need.
• Ethical service. We are committed to respectful, honest and fair service. We comply with the high standards required by the National CASA/GAL Association and Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. We maintain active membership in the National CASA/GAL Association for Children. 
• Gratitude. We deeply appreciate our volunteers, who pour their hearts and minds into serving children. We also appreciate the donors who support our services and the community partners who strive to make children’s lives safer and healthier.

RAPPAHANNOCK CASA’S CLIENT NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:

Rappahannock CASA recognizes, respects, promotes and celebrates the value of diversity. We administer our program and services to all children and families without prejudice, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. We do not and shall not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, ability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Rappahannock CASA’s policy is to recruit, train and maintain culturally competent volunteers who advocate for children fairly and without discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Our activities — including but not limited to selection of volunteers and vendors, provision of services, and working collaborations — adhere to our non-discrimination policy.