Atlanta Court Appointed Special Advocates Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

During the year ended June 30, 2025, Atlanta CASA advanced this mission through the following core programs: AdvocacyDirect Service AdvocacyDirect Service Advocacy is the central program of Atlanta CASA. Trained volunteers are appointed by the court to conduct independent, trauma-informed advocacy that ensures the needs of children in foster care are identified and addressed. Advocates monitor safety and well-being, assess barriers to education such as learning differences and misdiagnosis, and elevate special service needs. They participate in school meetings and court hearings and make fact-based recommendations to promote safety, stability, and timely permanency.Family Dependency Treatment CourtAtlanta CASA participates on the multidisciplinary team of the Fulton County Juvenile Court Family Dependency Treatment Court. This collaborative court includes the Court, the Division of Family and Children Services, the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, parent and child attorneys, Atlanta CASA, and treatment providers. Parents attend regular court sessions and receive intensive supervision and support to address substance use disorders while strengthening parenting. The team model promotes preservation or reunification when safe and appropriate, improves permanency outcomes for children, and addresses the root causes that led to court involvement.Recruitment Volunteer recruitment and engagement are essential to the sustainability of Atlanta CASA. Efforts are data-informed and aligned to current program needs. Recruitment is a shared responsibility of the Board of Directors, leadership, staff, advocates, and community partners. Strategies emphasize building partnerships with civic, corporate, faith-based, and educational stakeholders who can reach prospective advocates. Ongoing engagement and recognition initiatives support retention and help volunteers fulfill the standard eighteen-month commitment required for effective advocacy.TrainingPre-Service TrainingPre-Service Training is a standardized curriculum developed at the national level to prepare advocate trainees from all education and experience levels to serve effectively. The curriculum consists of a minimum of forty hours, which includes eight hours of court observation. Topics include education advocacy, family strengths, cultural responsiveness, and working with older youth. Upon completion and being sworn in, volunteers are equipped to investigate, collaborate, and prepare clear and concise reports for the court.In-Service Training In-Service Training is offered monthly to deepen and enhance advocacy skills. After their first year of service, advocates are required to complete at least twelve hours annually. Training topics are selected based on program needs and emerging best practices and are designed to improve the quality and consistency of recommendations to the court.These program activities advance the mission of Atlanta CASA by improving child safety, well-being, educational stability, and permanency, while engaging community volunteers in meaningful service that strengthens the child welfare system.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 80.9%; rating input score 81
• Program expense ratio: 75.6%; rating input score 76
• Fundraising efficiency: $13.62 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 48; 48th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 8 controls in place; rating input score 75
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Fail
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Fail
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -6.9%; rating input score 21; 21st percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.73; rating input score 33; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.14; rating input score 37; 37th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 9.6%; rating input score 38; 38th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -5.5% per year; rating input score 0; 7th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -2.6% per year; rating input score 0; 8th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 18.2% per year; rating input score 100; 79th percentile among comparable filings