Children are on the waiting list for a CASA. They need you.

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Children On Waiting List

The Vanderburgh County CASA program is a volunteer model. There are 141 active volunteers. Vanderburgh County CASA has been appointed more than 1,230 children by the court, including more than 400 new children (cases).

Indiana legislation mandates that every abused and/or neglected child be brought into the Juvenile Court system be represented by a CASA volunteer. This mandate is a clear recognition of the value that the state government places in our organization. Because a CASA advocate is court ordered for all abuse and neglect cases, program needs have greatly increased.  With our current volunteer manpower, we can only serve about 1/3 of the children who need an advocate. Currently over 350 children are on a waiting list for an advocate to be appointed to their case.

Independent national research identified the effectiveness of CASA volunteers involved in abuse and neglect CHINS, Child In Need of Services, cases. Among their findings they reported that children with a CASA volunteer are less likely to spend time in long-term foster care, are less likely to re-enter the foster care system, and have more services ordered for both the child and the family. CASA works in conjunction with the Department of Child Services (DCS) and the court to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and their families in Vanderburgh County.