CASA of Mariposa County

Court Appointed Special Advocates are trained community volunteers, sworn in by the Presiding Juvenile Court Judge, who represent the best interests of children who are abused or neglected.

Become an advocate Call: (209) 742‑4206

Why a child needs a CASA volunteer

When the court makes decisions that affect a child's future, the child needs a spokesperson — an objective adult who provides independent information about the child's best interests. The CASA volunteer is the only person in the case whose sole concern is the best interest of the child. Advocates investigate the child's circumstances, provide the court with fact-based information, and advocate for a safe, permanent home and for the child's educational and healthcare needs.

Children who are appointed CASAs have shorter cases, better permanency outcomes, and significantly lower chances of reentering the court system. A National CASA Association study showed that children with a CASA volunteer spent approximately one year less in care.

An adult and child walking together hand in hand

Serving Mariposa County since 2004

CASA of Mariposa County has served over 200 youth and trained more than 75 local volunteer advocates; in 2025 alone, CASA served 26 kids. Since 2015 we have also provided advocates to youth in the juvenile delinquency system. CASA is a national network of more than 950 community-based programs and 93,000 CASA and GAL (guardian ad litem) volunteers, together serving more than 270,000 children during their time in foster care.

CASA of Mariposa County operates under the authority of, and according to guidelines established by, the Judicial Council of California and local rules of court.

More programs for children and families

RECESS

Regularly scheduled respite childcare for families caring for children who've experienced abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and other difficult circumstances — giving caregivers a break so they can continue to provide a safe and loving home.

Nourish

An educational support group for foster, adoptive, relative, and non-related caretaker families, every second Thursday of the month. Nourish is free and includes childcare, catered dinner for the whole family, and an opportunity to relax, learn, and be in the company of other caretakers. To learn more, call (209) 742‑4206 or email casa@alliance4you.org.

Little Wishes Fund

The Little Wishes Fund is intended to support youth activities and clothing assistance. Give to Little Wishes.

To donate by mail, please make checks payable to CASA of Mariposa County and write "Little Wishes Fund" on the memo line. Mail checks to P.O. Box 73, Mariposa, CA 95338.

Little Wishes Fund was created by and is managed by CASA of Mariposa County.

Advocate resources

Case management runs through the Optima portal. Advocates can earn credits toward the required 12 hours of annual continuing education by completing training online — check with your program coordinator to be sure a topic is eligible, then record your time and report it to the CASA office monthly. The California CASA Academy and the National CASA/GAL Association both offer training for advocates.

Donate to CASA

Every dollar helps train and support the volunteer advocates who stand up for Mariposa County’s children in foster care.

The buttons and links on this page open the same donation pages on givebutter.com.

Transparency & accountability

CASA programs are locally supported: the Judicial Council, fundraising events, annual giving, and grants provide the ongoing support. As a symbol of our commitment to transparency and accountability, CASA of Mariposa County participates in GuideStar USA Exchange — our federal tax returns are public at guidestar.org/profile/77-0272319. All donations are processed through our parent organization, the Alliance for Community Transformations.