Delegate Fleischauer was an early supporter of CASA programs in Monongalia County and statewide. A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained citizen appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court.  All children assigned CASA advocates are victims of abuse and neglect, and have been removed from their homes. CASA volunteers research the child’s circumstances, determine relevant facts in a child’s case and provide independent objective information to the court.  Unlike a social worker with a heavy case load, a  CASA volunteer works with only one child or 2-3 siblings at a time.  In an overburdened child welfare system, CASA volunteers make sure that children do not get lost in the system.  Delegate Fleischauer’s HB 4649, passed in 2004, made CASA volunteers official members of each county’s multi-disciplinary team, which makes recommendations  to the court whether or not a child should be reunified with his or her biological parents,  placed in foster care, or be available for adoption with another family.