Optima Case Management
What is Optima?
Optima is an easy-to-use, secure, online case management system used by National CASA as well as half of the CASA programs in the United States, including CASA Kane County.
Why Do We Use It?
Changing data to real time, helps us clearly understand how the work we are providing impacts the statistics of the CASA organization as well as the outcome for the child. Through Optima we work together as a team to secure access to a child’s unified case file 24/7.
Why We Need Optima:
- Immediate real time access to information, assessments outcome, and reporting.
- Return on investment reporting for the organization for our annual, state, six-month, and customization reports for grants and other proposals.
- Well-being assessments per child
Note tracking and other amazing productivity features. - Export features to Excel or PDF formats.
- Quality assurance for understanding each case to strategically support the child and volunteer throughout the life of the case.
Best Practices for Using Optima
Optima Video Lessons
The Optima video lessons below are unique to CASA Kane County and have been professionally created to introduce our CASA/GALs to the Optima case management system and help them use it easily and effectively. The objective of the Optima video lessons is to teach every CASA/GAL how Optima works and enable them to successfully utilize Optima for all of the tasks demonstrated in the video lessons.
This lesson defines Optima. It also addresses the benefits of using Optima for the CASA/GAL, the court and the children CASA serves. In addition, it describes the Optima training and how it has been tailored to meet the needs of a Kane County CASA/GAL. Finally, viewers receive a quick tour of a typical Optima lesson.
Click here to watch video (4:38)
During a case, a CASA/GAL may come across individuals who are sources of information regarding the child, or another party. These individuals are referred to in Optima as interested parties. This lesson demonstrates how to add an interested party to a case.
Click here to watch video (6:36)
A CASA/GAL is responsible for entering multiple administrative tasks into Optima for an ongoing case, including entering time spent on reviewing a report as well as time and mileage for attending court or a case-related meeting or interview. This lesson shows how to enter several administrative tasks for a case.
Click here to watch video (5:20)
In addition to case information, Optima also contains a CASA/GAL’s contact information. This lesson demonstrates how to enter a CASA/GAL’s personal information into Optima.
Click here to watch video (3:02)
Optima has search capabilities that can be used primarily to assist a CASA/GAL in writing his/her report to the court. This lesson demonstrates how to generate various reports using Optima.
PLEASE NOTE: Unless you are already familiar with Optima, it is recommended that you do not watch this lesson unless you have already watched the first two lessons and are familiar with entering a child visit, an interview and know how to edit them.
Click here to watch video (3:56)
Contact information for persons involved in a case often changes as the case progresses. This lesson shows how to enter a missing date of birth and how to add a new cell phone number to an already existing record in Optima.
Click here to watch video (3:47)
During a case, a CASA/GAL may come across individuals who are sources of information regarding the child, or another party. These individuals are referred to in Optima as interested parties. This lesson demonstrates how to add an interested party to a case.
Click here to watch video (8:34)
A CASA/GAL is responsible for entering multiple administrative tasks into Optima for an ongoing case, including entering time spent on reviewing a report as well as time and mileage for attending court or a case-related meeting or interview. This lesson shows how to enter several administrative tasks for a case.
Click here to watch video (7:21)
All documents related to a case should be Optima. This lesson shows demonstrates how to locate a document in Optima and download it for review, or to be printed.
Click here to watch video (4:58)
In addition to case information, Optima also contains a CASA/GAL’s contact information. This lesson demonstrates how to enter a CASA/GAL’s personal information into Optima.
Click here to watch video (5:49)
Each CASA/GAL is responsible for completing continuing education throughout the year to stay up to date on skills and topics related to abuse, neglect, probate and dependency case management. This lesson shows how to enter continuing education hours into Optima for tracking purposes.
Click here to watch video (3:30)
Optima has search capabilities that can be used primarily to assist a CASA/GAL in writing his/her report to the court. This lesson demonstrates how to generate various reports using Optima.
PLEASE NOTE: Unless you are already familiar with Optima, it is recommended that you do not watch this lesson unless you have already watched the first two lessons and are familiar with entering a child visit, an interview and know how to edit them.
Click here to watch video (13:58)
Need Assistance with Optima?
Contact Sandie Cross at 630-444-3131 or email at sandiec@casakanecounty.org
