SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento County has a dramatic spike in the most serious child abuse and neglect cases.

Child protection workers average about 54 cases each; but in the past few months, there have been more of the worst kinds of cases.

"It looks as if the economy plays a part in this. As stress increases for families around the basics of housing, food and income, the stressors can spill over into parenting and actually move into child abuse," said Laura Coulthard, with Child Protective Services.

Children who are removed from their homes often end up in juvenile court, seeking protection. Without family or friends watching out for them, they often feel alone.

Randy, 19, spent four years in foster care. But he wasn't alone: A volunteer with the Court-Appointed Special Advocates program, or CASA, was looking out for his best interest.

Randy said his mentor "helped me out with my homework, decision-making, doing the right things."

The advocates work one-on-one with a child, acting as a liaison between social workers, lawyers and judges. They're invaluable, but in short supply: Sacramento County needs about 2,000 advocates but has just 150.

Link: CASA Program Document: CPS Volunteer Opportunities

"You can't put a price on it. I can't explain it. It's a really good program. You can make a difference in a child's life, and you can see it too," advocate Sonia Strong said.

Randy, now a freshman at Sacramento State University, said he wouldn't be there if it weren't for his advocate.

CASA wants to provide a trained advocate for every abused and neglected child in Sacramento County. For more information, call 916-875-6460.