Legal Authority:
Supreme Court Ruliing 10-164 gives authority to a children's court judge to appoint a special advocate (CASA) to assist in any children's court proceedings.
The CASA is to assist the court in determining the best interest of the child. They are to investigate the facts of the situation as directed by the court and submit a report to all parties subsequent to adjudication.
A court order is issued to the CASA which waives the provisions of the children's code relating to confidentiality and gives them the authority to obtain information from any agency, hospital , school, organization, or office. This includes Department of Human Services, Department of Children Youth and Families,, physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists and police departments. They have the authority to carefully inspect all records.
Katie McDonough. Vice-president
jkm@newmexico.com
Tren Hillis
trenhillis@gmail.com
Barabara Casey
bap.casey@yahoo.com
JoAnn Alcon-Ortiz
joannalcon@hotmail.com
Dr. Phyllis S Martinez, Executive Director
P.O. Box 1495
#18 Gallegos Street
Las Vegas, NM 87701
505-454-0223
casafourth@hotmail.com
JoAnn LaFerriere, Volunteer Coordinator
P.O. Box 1495
# 18 Gallegos Street
Las Vegas NM 87701
505-454-0223
casafourth@hotmail.com