Created in 1996, San Juan County CASA volunteers advocate for the best interests of abused, neglected and abandoned children involved in the court system. A CASA is a trained, community volunteer appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. Once a CASA is appointed to a case they become an official part of the judicial proceeding, working alongside attorneys and social workers as an appointed officer. 93% of the recommendations made by the CASA volunteers in 2004 were followed by the judges. Of the 31 children who had a CASA volunteer involved in their permanent placement in 2003, 30 of these children were still in their same placement 12 months later. Annually, CASA volunteers provide more than 1500 hours service to over 70 children.