Youth Heartline Expands Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program to Three Additional New Mexico Counties

Youth Heartline Expands Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program to Three
Additional New Mexico Counties
Expansion will bring trained volunteer advocates to more children navigating the foster care
system
Las Vegas, NM, July 15th, 2026 — Youth Heartline, a child and family advocacy non-profit in
northeast New Mexico, announces the expansion of its Court Appointed Special Advocate
(CASA) program into the 4th Judicial District covering Guadalupe, Mora & San Miguel
Counties. The expansion will allow the organization to recruit and train volunteer advocates for
children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are placed in the child welfare system.
This growth marks a significant milestone for Youth Heartline, increasing the geographic reach
of its CASA program by 48.8% and extending its mission to rural communities that need access
to CASA representation.
“Children in foster care face unimaginable instability,” said Valerie Alderette, CASA Program
Manager. “They are thrust into a confusing world of courtrooms, caseworkers, and unfamiliar
homes. A CASA volunteer becomes a reliable anchor for them. Attorneys, caseworkers, and
court professionals handle dozens of cases at once, making it difficult to provide deep,
individualized attention. In contrast, a CASA volunteer is assigned to just one child or sibling
group. This allows the volunteer to focus entirely on the child’s unique needs, offering judges
the clear, objective perspective necessary to ensure no child gets lost in a crowded legal
system.”
With this expansion, Youth Heartline will:
● Recruit and train new volunteer advocates from within these communities
● Partner with local courts, judges, and child welfare agencies to identify children in need
of advocacy
● Provide ongoing training, supervision, and support to ensure every volunteer is
equipped to serve effectively
● Work toward the goal of ensuring no child in these communities goes through the court
process without a CASA advocate by their side
About the CASA Program
CASA volunteers are trained court-appointed advocates who represent the best interests of
children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Advocates get to
know the child, family, and other parties involved in a case, then provide judges with informed
recommendations to help guide decisions that affect the child’s safety, well-being, and
permanency.
Nationally, research shows children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to find safe,
permanent homes and less likely to re-enter the foster care system.
How to Get Involved
Youth Heartline will be recruiting volunteers in Guadalupe, Mora & San Miguel Counties. No
prior legal or social work experience is required. Youth Heartline is also hiring for a CASA
Volunteer Coordinator in Las Vegas, NM.
Individuals interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, applying for our CASA Volunteer
Coordinator position, or supporting the expansion through donations or partnerships can learn
more at youthheartline.org.
About Youth Heartline
Youth Heartline is a 501(c)(3) Child and Family Advocacy organization whose mission is to
increase positive long-term outcomes and access to services by reducing risk factors and
barriers for underserved families and children in Northeast New Mexico. Founded in 1991, the
organization has served over 1,000 children, families, and individuals annually in Colfax, Taos,
and Union Counties through its Court, Stability, and Community Programs.
Contact: Feliz Medina, Director of Operations, community@youthheartline.org.