Change a Child's Story™
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are specially screened and trained community volunteers. CASAs are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interest of abused, neglected, or dependent children in the family court system. This best-interest advocacy makes a life-changing difference for children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect, many of whom are in foster care.
Donation Form
I am so appreciative of the work CASA puts in on our cases. I shudder to think how these families would be served in your absence.
Local Family Court Attorney
CASA is making a difference in the lives of children in our community. It is an honor to be a part of that work. We are so thankful for the work CASA does.
Local Community Partner
Impact Numbers for 2021
70
CASA of Ohio Valley
Volunteers
167
Local Children
Served by CASA
2,259
Hours of
Volunteer Service
53
Children Waiting
for a Volunteer
Our Work
CASA volunteers are appointed by Daviess, McLean, Hancock, & Ohio Counties' Family Court Judges to advocate for children’s best interests. They stay with each case until it is closed and the child is in a safe, permanent home. We serve children from birth through the age of 18.
CASA Volunteers gather information from legal and child welfare professionals, educators, and any service providers involved with the child to ensure that judges have all the information they need to make the most well-informed decisions for each child.
Our best-interest advocacy is driven by the guiding principle that children grow and develop best with their family of origin if that can be safely achieved. Many of the children we work with are in foster care, but many others are living with relatives or friends. Some are with their family of origin. Most children who leave foster care do so to return to their families.
What We Do
Standards
CASA of Ohio Valley, Inc embraces the standards set by National CASA/GAL and incorporates them into the everyday policies and processes we use to provide the highest quality advocacy. Access the National CASA/GAL Standards and our supporting policies and procedures HERE.
Engagement
Because CASA Advocates take a holistic approach to child advocacy they work in collaboration with community partners.
CASA’s engage with the community as it pertains to their CASA child through building relationships with caregivers, educators, mental and physical health providers, and all people and organizations serving the child. In order to effectively advocate for children at every level, it is critical that CASA of Ohio Valley, Inc be engaged with the communities we serve.
Support
CASA Advocates never serve alone. CASA of Ohio Valley, Inc employees are trained, professional Advocate Supervisors who provide continual support for CASA Advocates. Supervisors get to know their CASA Advocates during their training and go with them on the CASA Advocates' first visit with their CASA child. Supervisors meet with CASA advocates at least once per month to consult on their cases and stay in regular contact with the Advocate through text, email, phone calls, and in-person meetings as needed. When CASA Advocates attend Court on their CASA child’s case an Advocate Supervisor always goes with them for support and encouragement.
Education
Before any CASA Advocate begins serving on a case they receive professional training created by National CASA/GAL and facilitated by CASA of Ohio Valley’s Training Coordinator. This intensive training process provides them with 30 hours of pre-service training (conducted in person and virtually) covering, The Role of a CASA, Child Development, Child Abuse and Neglect, Trauma and Resilience, Domestic Violence, Mental Health, Substance Misuse, Working with Older Youth and Working with Marginalized Populations. CASA of Ohio Valley also conducts monthly CASA Connections to provide supplemental educational opportunities for Advocates.
Awareness
At CASA of Ohio Valley, Inc we embrace the “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” attitude. We know that the key to a healthy community and carrying out our mission to its fullest is raising awareness about child abuse and neglect in our community, how to prevent it, and how to recognize it. We host and participate in events throughout the year to spread information on these priorities across the community. Visit our Learning Center or News and Events tabs for additional information.
Leadership
Our team of Board Members, Staff, and Volunteer Advocates all know that through grassroots efforts to raise awareness and accountability we can create a healthy community that supports the lifelong success of our most vulnerable children. Individuals at every level of our organization are change agents for the children of Daviess and McLean Counties through leadership roles in organizations, agencies, and all efforts to inspire change for our children.
Our Purpose
To recruit, train, and support community volunteers advocating for abused and neglected children throughout Daviess, McLean, Hancock and Ohio Counties.
