We recruit, screen, train, and then provide an advocate to one child or sibling group who has been removed from their homes by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency. The Family Court Judges assign children to available advocates.

Within this system, the child will have a social worker, legal representation, and others that are involved in their case, but a CASA is the only adult that is specifically assigned to look out for the best interests of the child. The CASA is the only adult that is assigned to just that child or sibling group.

The CASA gets to know the child and all those involved in the child’s life; the CASA becomes their voice in court until the child is in a home that is considered legally permanent, whether that be reunification with family or adoptive home. Our advocates are fully trained in various aspects of the foster care system and the family court system, its legalities, and how to best advocate for the child’s best interests taking into consideration physical, medical, educational, and emotional factors. The CASA writes court reports for the family court judge and all of the legal parties providing up-to-date information on the child. The judges count on these reports to help them make more informed decisions for the best interests of the children.

BSDPA offers full and partial dance tuition assistance and merit-based scholarships that enable disadvantaged and low-to-moderate income level families of Hackensack and Paterson, NJ (and surrounding areas) to attend professional dance classes in the community.

Children will have the opportunity to take weekly Ballet, Lyrical, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop and Drama classes at low or no cost to parents. Tuition Assistance and Merit-based Scholarships are provided to attend classes on-site only.