Atlanta CASA volunteers spoke up for 346 Fulton County foster children last year. The next training class starts in January, and no legal background is needed.
Atlanta CASA’s 206 volunteer advocates stood up for 346 children in Fulton County’s foster care system in the nonprofit’s last full year, and it is now recruiting for a training class that begins in January 2027.
The figures come from the nonprofit’s FY2025 annual report, which covers July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. More than 45% of its cases ended in permanency, the report says, meaning a child moved into a stable, lasting home. Only four cases saw a volunteer advocate discharged.
“These figures reflect our last completed annual reporting period,” Domonique Cooper, Atlanta CASA’s chief executive, told Atlanta Live News. The next annual report is expected toward the end of this year.
Atlanta CASA, short for Court Appointed Special Advocates, recruits, trains and supervises volunteers who are appointed to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in juvenile court. On Tuesday, Oct. 27, it was announced as the newest partner at JA Finance Park in Midtown.
“A consistent voice”
Cooper, who became chief executive in December 2024 according to the report, described what the volunteers do in written answers to our questions.
“CASA volunteers serve as consistent, caring advocates who help ensure that children’s voices, needs, and well-being remain central to decisions affecting their lives,” she said. “No legal background is required, and volunteers receive specialized training and ongoing support.”
In her letter in the annual report, she wrote that the volunteers “meet with children to listen, learn, and understand their needs, then step into the courtroom on their behalf to make sure their voices are heard and their stories are told with truth and care.”
FY2025 was “a year of incredible growth,” the report says, with “record numbers of new volunteers” sworn in. Atlanta CASA’s website said on Oct. 27 that it had sworn in 63 volunteers since January 2026.
How to become a volunteer
Atlanta CASA holds virtual Volunteer Curiosity Sessions every other Monday at 6:30 p.m. for people who want to learn more before they commit.
“These informational sessions provide an opportunity to learn about the CASA role, ask questions, and understand how volunteers can make a lasting difference in the lives of children,” Cooper said.
The next training class begins in January 2027, “with additional training opportunities scheduled throughout the year,” she said.
The nonprofit’s Become a Volunteer page sets out the steps:
- Attend an information session.
- Submit an application, which Atlanta CASA emails after the session. Allow at least 30 minutes to complete it.
- Take a short personal interview and a background check.
- Train and become an active volunteer advocate.
To attend a session or start an application, contact Angela Owens, Atlanta CASA’s recruiter and community engagement specialist, at angela.owens@atlantacasa.org. More is at atlantacasa.org.
“Our volunteers come from all walks of life,” the website says. “Some are just entering the workforce, while others are retirees. Some have backgrounds in criminal justice, social work, or child welfare, while others do not.”
Thirty years in Fulton County
Atlanta CASA marked 30 years in 2025, having started in 1995. Its public support and revenue for the year totaled $2,163,891 and its expenses $2,225,048, according to the annual report. Supporters listed include United Way, the National CASA Association, Georgia CASA and state VOCA and ARPA funding.
Cooper said her priority “is to continue expanding Atlanta CASA’s reach so that more children in Fulton County have access to the advocacy, stability, and support they deserve.”
“Every child deserves someone who knows their story, believes in their potential, and is willing to stand beside them when it matters most,” she said. “Our work extends beyond the courtroom because the decisions made today can influence a child’s opportunities, well-being, and future for years to come.”
“I often remind our community that you do not have to change the life of every child to make a difference,” she said. “Sometimes, changing the life of one child changes everything.”
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