The roles are not the same. The Child Welfare Services social worker serves the family—parents, and child—by providing direct services. CWS caseworkers are not able to be a wholly independent voice because they are part of the agency that has already taken a position in the case by filing a petition and bringing the matter to court.  The CASA is independent from the social services system and focused primarily on the child, not the parents.  A CASA is an independent voice, not part of a government agency that may be constrained by rules and regulations, agency policies, and fiscal limitations.  The CASA is an officer of the court, and considered to be “the eyes and ears” of the court.