CASE ADVOCACY IN CHILD-WELFARE

This article examines the concept of advocacy in child welfare. Defini tions of social advocacy and case advocacy are presented that will per haps give child advocates, child welfare workers, and social workers a better understanding of the concepts and their roles in the protectio n of children who have been abused or neglected. A historical account of advocacy efforts on behalf of abused and neglected children in the United States is presented, followed by an analysis of current advocac y efforts, highlighting the potential of court-appointed special advoc ates (CASAs). The article also presents implications and ideas for soc ial workers to assist incase advocacy efforts for children who are par t of the child welfare system.