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Over 59,000 volunteers serve as CASAs across the country. The Kosciusko County program is seeking individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate in the rewarding and empowering experience of serving as a CASA volunteer. Volunteers, who must be at least 21 years of age, have to pass screening requirements and receive training to serve as a CASA.
CASA volunteers are highly effective in advocating for abused and neglected children. In fact, a recent national survey reveals that judges believe the work of CASA volunteers is high quality, beneficial to judicial decision-making, and valuable to the children and families served. Unfortunately, the courts are seeing an increasing number of children in abuse and neglect cases, and more volunteers are needed. In Indiana, the law was recently changed to say that EVERY child should have a CASA to speak for him or her. There is a critical need for volunteers so that no child goes without a guide gor for the most difficult years in the young child's life.
CASA of Kosciusko County recruits and provides 33 hours of training for volunteer advocates to prepare them to investigate cases, assure that childrens' needs are met during the legal proceedings, and assist children with navigating the complex child welfare system. Volunteers are asked to commit to a child until the legal proceeding is over and the child is able to go home, is adopted, or achieves permanency in a safe and stable home.
The CASA volunteer helps the child to understand what is going on in the case and provides a friendly face, support, stability, and consistency for the child during legal proceedings amidst a sea of unfamiliar people - including police, doctors, child welfare workers, and lawyers. By presenting the best interests of abused and neglected children to the court, advocates help judges to make better informed and more timely decisions about children so they can be returned home or placed in a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible.
In addition to speaking for the child in court, CASA volunteers assist children in other ways to recover from the situations that placed them in foster care - providing encouragement and support to enable them to lead healthy, productive lives. Advocates serve as role models to children who often have no one else to turn to. For example, many advocates assist with educational needs, encourage career interests, and develop meaningful relationships with their assigned children that have a lifelong impact on both the children and the volunteer.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete the contact form below or print the application and fax it to us at (574) 372-2399. We will be in touch within the next few days to discuss your interest. You may also contact Sally Mahnken by telephone at (574) 372-2401.
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