Standing Up for Madison County’s Most Vulnerable Children
CAJA of Madison County is a member of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, serving abused and neglected children in Madison County, Alabama since 1989. For over three decades, our volunteer advocates have been a consistent voice for children when they need it most.
“To support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can have a safe, permanent home.”
CAJA — Court Appointed Juvenile Advocates — is Madison County’s local name for the national CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) model. When our program organized in 1989, “CASA” was already trademarked and in use elsewhere in Alabama, so we adopted “CAJA” instead. The mission and the model are the same: trained volunteers, appointed by judges, who speak up for a child’s best interest in court.
The idea behind the model traces back to 1977, when a Seattle judge grew concerned that he wasn’t getting enough information about the children in his courtroom to make sound decisions for them. That idea has since grown into a nationwide movement — today, 890 state organizations and local programs operate in 48 states and the District of Columbia, backed by over 79,000 trained volunteers.
In Madison County, that same idea has meant over three decades of showing up for kids who need a consistent, caring adult in their corner — one case at a time, one advocate at a time.
What We Do
Recruit & Train Volunteers
We recruit caring community members and provide extensive training to ensure they’re prepared to advocate effectively for children in foster care.
Advocate for the Child
Our volunteers are appointed by judges to get to know the child, gather facts, and make recommendations to the court based on the child’s best interest.
Collaborate with Professionals
We work with judges, attorneys, social workers, schools, and therapists to ensure each child receives the support and resources they need to thrive.
Promote Stability & Well-Being
We focus on each child’s safety, education, health, and emotional well-being — helping them build brighter, more stable futures.
What a CAJA Volunteer Actually Does
Fact-Finder & Investigator
Each CAJA volunteer conducts an independent investigation into a child’s case — talking with parents, relatives, teachers, and caseworkers, reviewing relevant records, and researching community resources available to the family.
Advocate
The volunteer brings everything they’ve learned to the court, making specific recommendations that serve the child’s best interest, and attends hearings to represent that child’s well-being directly.
Facilitator
CAJA volunteers help bring parties and attorneys toward resolution, and recommend the services a child or family may need along the way.
Monitor & Reporter
Volunteers follow up to make sure the court’s orders are being followed, report back when they aren’t, and track how a child is adjusting to their placement over time.
Our Impact in 2025
Because a CAJA volunteer typically carries just one case at a time — compared to the 25–40 cases a state caseworker often manages — they can give a child’s situation the attention it deserves. On average, kids with a CAJA volunteer spend 8 months less in foster care than those without one.
Facts & Frequently Asked Questions
How is a CAJA volunteer different from a social worker?
State caseworkers are employed by the state and often manage 25–40 cases at once, making a deep investigation of any single case difficult. A CAJA volunteer typically handles just one case at a time and stays with that child until they reach a safe, permanent home — giving them the time a caseworker’s caseload usually doesn’t allow.
How is a CAJA volunteer different from an attorney or Guardian ad Litem?
A CAJA volunteer does not provide legal representation in the courtroom — that’s the role of the court-appointed attorney or Guardian ad Litem (GAL). A CAJA volunteer’s role is to investigate the facts of a case and make best-interest recommendations to the judge.
Do the courts support the CAJA program?
Yes. Only a judge can appoint a CAJA volunteer to a case, and only a judge can dismiss one. The CASA/CAJA model is endorsed by the American Bar Association, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
Is CAJA part of a national organization?
Yes. CAJA of Madison County is a member of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, part of a network of 890 state organizations and local programs operating in 48 states and the District of Columbia, backed by over 79,000 trained volunteers.
Can I support CAJA without becoming a volunteer advocate?
Absolutely. CAJA Friends, Inc. welcomes financial support and community awareness help from anyone who believes in the mission, whether or not becoming an advocate is the right fit for you. Visit our Donate page to see how to get involved.
What does it take to become a CAJA volunteer?
Volunteers must be 21 or older, pass a background check, complete a 35-hour, 4-week pre-service training, and commit to about 10 hours a month for at least one year. Visit our Become a Volunteer page for full details and to apply.
Together, we can change a child’s story.®