Join us today in ensuring every Iowa child has a voice in their corner

At the center of every juvenile case is a child. And at their side? Dedicated volunteers who show up, day after day, to advocate for Iowa's most vulnerable young people.

Friends of Iowa CASA and ICFCRB collaborates with communities across our state to support volunteer advocacy programs for children who experience abuse and neglect. Our CASA (court appointed special advocate) and foster care review board volunteers give their time and passion to make sure no child faces the system alone.

The Extraordinary Impact of Our Volunteers

In 2025, our volunteer advocates continued their remarkable service:

• Donating thousands of hours to children in need
• Traveling countless miles across Iowa communities
• Serving as the only consistent adult in many children's lives as they navigate legal and social systems they entered through no fault of their own

Their dedication is nothing short of heroic.

How We Support Our Volunteers

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services funds the operational costs of CASA and Foster Care Review Board programs, while Friends focuses on what matters most: recruiting and retaining more volunteers.

We support our advocates through:

✓ Statewide recruitment campaigns and events
✓ Gas cards to offset volunteer travel costs
✓ Conference and convention opportunities with fellow child welfare advocates
✓ And so much more—the sky is the limit on how we can serve our volunteers and the children they represent!

The Need is Critical

The numbers tell a sobering story:

• 5,900+ Children in Need of Assistance (CINA) cases in fiscal year 2024
• 530+ active CASA volunteers
• 1,300+ children being served

That means thousands of Iowa children are waiting for an advocate to stand beside them. Recruitment and ongoing training of CASA volunteers remains our most critical need.

Your Gift Changes Lives

As you plan your charitable giving this holiday season, we humbly ask you to include Friends of Iowa CASA and ICFCRB in your plans. Your support directly impacts our volunteer advocates and the thousands of Iowa children in foster care placement.

Working together, we can provide the best outcomes for children who have experienced abuse and neglect—every child and every time.