Western Maryland (Allegany & Washington Counties)

Contact Information

138 Baltimore Street, Suite 202
Cumberland, MD 21502

Phone: 301-777-1262
Web: www.casaofwesternmaryland.org

A Message from the Director:

Thank you for your interest in CASA of Western Maryland! Washington and Allegany County is not immune from child abuse and neglect. We have made a commitment — a promise to our children — to put CASA volunteers into the life of every foster child who needs one in Washington County. With your help, we will fulfill this commitment. There are many ways in which you can help us. Please contact us to learn more!

What Is CASA Of Western Maryland?

CASA of Western Maryland serves Allegany and Washington County, and is a member of the National CASA Association, a national network of over 950 child advocacy organizations whose mission is to advocate for the timely placement of abused and neglected children in safe and permanent homes and for the highest quality of their care while they are under the court’s jurisdiction.

CASA volunteers are everyday citizens who have undergone screening and training with their local program. Judges appoint CASA volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children. A CASA volunteer is paired with one child or family and stays with that child until the case is closed and the child is in a safe and permanent home. There are not enough advocates to represent all of the children in care, so judges often assign CASA volunteers to their most difficult cases.

A child with a CASA volunteer is more likely to have a consistent and responsible adult presence in their life, be adopted, have a plan for permanency, find a safe permanent home, get more help while in the system, do better in school, and spend less time in foster care. A child with a CASA volunteer is less likely to be bounced from home to home, spend time in long-term foster care, and re-enter foster care.