CASA of Kern County Employee Directory
Non-profit OrganizationsCalifornia, United States11-50 Employees
CASA of Kern County is a nonprofit organization based in Bakersfield, California, that advocates for abused and neglected children involved in the juvenile dependency process. It relies on highly trained volunteers to ensure every child in need has a voice in court and access to independent judicial assessments. A CASA volunteer acts as a sworn representative of the court, conducting interviews with key parties and presenting findings to inform the disposition of the case during hearings. The organization's mission is to protect each child's right to a safe, permanent home by recruiting, screening, and training volunteers from communities across Kern County and supervising their advocacy throughout each assignment, supported by a small-to-mid-sized staff. CASA of Kern County began in the summer of 1994, led by Judge Robert J. Anspach, attorney Teri Foley, and mental health therapist Judy Newman, with initial funding from the Bakersfield Junior League, to serve as an independent voice for dependent children in protective care in Kern County.