Crawford County CASA, Inc.

Goal: $10,000.00

Specific Need

We are so grateful for the many individuals and businesses who continue to support the work that we do.  We find comfort and encouragement knowing that you care about our cause.

Funding received goes towards providing a voice for abused and neglected children as they navigate the child welfare system. The CASA volunteer advocates on behalf of a child and voices any needs or concerns. Every CASA volunteer participates in 32 hours of pre-service training as well as 12 hours of on-going training each year. Funds raised go towards the needed training materials,  background clearances and on-going support so volunteers are prepared for their role as a CASA. Given the economic times that we all find ourselves in our volunteers willingly use their own vehicle to visit with their CASA child wherever they reside. They visit their CASA children at least once every month, sometimes more, contact shools, therapist and family.  Our volunteers can make all the difference to our most vulnerable population, the children. 

Funding received also goes towards our Starfish Fund which is designated for our CASA children. We have provided funding for school clothes, shoes, hygeine products, prom dresses, dance lessons, sports expenses, or even something as simple as a fan. Children who are placed outside of their home, deserve to have the same opportunities as any other child has or experiences.

So far in 2024, the CASA program has been assigned to 3 additional children. This brings the total of children to18, which is a an increase from the previous year.  We also trained four new CASA’s, which will help us serve more children.  

On behalf of all of us at Crawford County CASA, thank you! Together, we can Change a Child's Story.

Mission

Our Mission

Crawford County CASA trains and provides quality volunteer advocates for children who are involved in juvenile court proceedings as a result of abuse and/or neglect. 

Our Vision
Crawford County CASA envisions that all abused and neglected children have a safe, permanent and nurturing home in the shortest time frame possible.

Profile

Crawford County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Inc. has a strong history spanning over 25 years of providing compassionate, highly trained volunteers who are empowered by the courts to provide best interest advocacy for abused and neglected children.

In 1993, a group of foster parents felt that children in their care needed someone on their side to speak up for their needs and wishes. They came together and attended a conference where they learned about CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and approached retired Judge Gordon Miller about bringing CASA to Crawford County. Judge Miller agreed and the process started. In 1994, Crawford County CASA, held its first volunteer training class and ever since we have provided advocacy for abused and neglected children. There is no other volunteer agency in our community like CASA! 

CASA advocates are highly trained, caring individuals who give their time and experience in providing advocacy for children involved in the Juvenile Court System. A CASA is appointed by the Court to represent the best interest of children who have experienced abuse and neglect throughout Crawford County. Children and Youth Service caseworkers have found it valuable to have a CASA volunteer appointed to a case. The length of time that a volunteer is assigned to a case varies as it depends on the child’s situation but it is usually when the child has obtained permanency whether that is safely returned home, placed with kinship or adopted. 

We advocate for children from birth to age 18, unless the child elects to stay involved with the child welfare system until the age of 23. We do monitor it on a case by case basis as some of the youth who have turned the age of 18, may already have a good support system, or have plans of attending college and felt that CASA was no longer needed. Even after a child’s case has closed within the court system and hence with CASA, the positive impact of CASA’s work continues, as they can be a valuable member of a support system for that youth as they set out to see what the world has to offer them.