Court-Appointed Advocates for Vulnerable Adults of Oklahoma

Volunteer Class Starting March 23rd!
Please contact Kim Leslie at 405.607.4307 for additional information.

Making A Difference In The Lives of Vulnerable Adults

Larry A. Jones Photo Oklahoma is blazing a new trail in providing needed assistance for vulnerable adults who become involved in the state's judicial system. Through the pioneer program known as Oklahoma Court-Appointed Advocates for Vulnerable Adults (CAAVA) a pool of well-trained volunteers is available to serve state judges.

The CAAVA program - created by the Oklahoma Legislature -provides volunteer advocates with more than 50 hours of core training in such areas as court system operations, end-of-life issues, and the rights of persons at risk of court intervention due to medical, mental or developmental disability concerns.

The volunteers, acting as guardians ad litem for the vulnerable adults coming before the court, bring to the proceedings significant information about the vulnerable adults. A CAAVA volunteer can be effective in helping prevent inappropriate and unnecessary changes in the lives of those vulnerable adults who face the possibility of losing all their legal rights.

Mission Statement

The Oklahoma CAAVA Association, Inc., is a non-profit membership organization established to advocate for the best interests of vulnerable adults 18 years and older within the state's court system. The association is dedicated to the belief that all individuals are entitled to a life of dignity, independence and self-determination for as long as possible. The association will encourage and provide assistance to local communities in the development, growth and continuation of programs that recruit, screen, train and supervise volunteers to serve as court-appointed advocates for persons at risk of being abused, neglected or exploited or for any other action related to vulnerable adults in court proceedings.

CAAVA Association, Inc.

The Oklahoma CAAVA Association, Inc., (CAAVAA, Inc.) provides technical assistance, training, and networking opportunities for the local CAAVA programs as they develop over the state and nation. A board of directors governs the association. Any interested person may join the association by paying a membership fee.

The concept for CAAVA is an outgrowth of the Oklahoma Aging Advocacy Leadership Academy and is being developed through support from the

Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Council
Oklahoma Department of Human Services Aging Services Division
The Oklahoma Bar Foundation
The Hartford

and grants from community resources and foundations.