Learn about us.

ABOUT US

Friends of Iowa CASA and ICFCRB is a member of the National CASA Association. The mission of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused or neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive.

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Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are volunteers appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children. CASAs ensure that these children don't get lost in the overburdened legal and social services systems or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused and neglected children, their CASA volunteer is the one constant adult presence in their lives.

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The Iowa Citizen Foster Care Review Board (ICFCRB) program recruits, trains and supports community volunteers to serve on local boards working to improve how permanency is achieved for Iowa foster children. More than 27 local Foster Care Review boards meet regularly to review the status of children who have been removed from their homes. The boards provide advisory recommendations that serve the child's best interests to the court and other social services and juvenile justice officials.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Executive Committee:

President: Liz Varnon
Vice President: Jamie Fitzgerald
Secretary: Nikki Heyd
Treasurer: Jim Hennessey
Assistant Treasurer: Vacant
Executive Director: Tim Pearson

Board Members:  

Des Moines

Liz Varnon

Robin Jenkins

Jamie Fitzgerald

Isa O'Hara

VeeAnn Cartwright

Dave Miglin

Micole Van Walbeek

Jim Hennessey

Christine Bruner

Jessica Meisner

Kate Reynolds

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Quad Cities

Ken Beck

Anthony Bielski

Polly Parrent

Cedar Rapids

Nikki Heyd

Andrea Rogers

Jenny Skogman

Waterloo/Cedar Falls

Chris Schwartz

Lew Everling

Sioux City

Kathie Pfaffle

Madisen Hesse

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OUR MISSION

Friends of Iowa CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and ICFCRB (Iowa Citizen Foster Care Review Boards), together with community volunteers and others, promotes and supports volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children and public awareness of the importance of safe and permanent homes for all children. 

OUR VISION

To provide the best outcomes for abused and neglected children - every child and every time.