Greene County CASA
Answers
Please read through our list of frequently asked questions. Find out what it takes to become a CASA and much more. Select a question and the answer will be provided in this area. If you have any questions, please contact Greta McKenzie at 937-562-4038 or gmckenzie@co.greene.oh.us.
A CASA/GAL is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interests of an abused, neglected or dependent child in court.
A CASA/GAL provides a judge or magistrate with a carefully researched background of the child to help the court make a sound decision about the child's future. Each case is as unique as the child involved. The CASA/GAL must determine if, in his/her opinion, it is in a child's best interest to stay with the parents or guardian, to be placed in foster care, to be freed for permanent adoption or some other appropriate option. The CASA/GAL makes a recommendation on placement and services to the judge or magistrate and, most importantly, monitors the case until it is resolved.
To prepare a recommendation, the CASA/GAL talks with the child, parents, family members, social workers, school officials, health providers and others who are knowledgeable about the child's history. CASA/GALs also observe interactions between the parent and the child. Visit the parents' home, and review all documentation on the child. All this information is used to form a recommendation on the placement of the child and the services which the family needs to receive.
The number varies according to the time the volunteers have available, but on average, each Court Appointed Special Advocate carries one to three cases.
Each case is different. When a case is initially assigned, a Court Appointed Special Advocate usually spends 5 to 10 hours a week doing research and conducting interview. After the first month or so of involvement, volunteers spend between 5 - 15 hours a month monitoring their cases.
Greene County Children Services is a child and family centered agency which provides protection and care to children in need. Caseworkers are employed by the county to provide services to strengthen, family life, and to enable children to remain safe in their own homes. The CASA/GAL does not replace a social worker on the case but is an independent appointee of the court who monitors both the actions of the family and the case plan activity.
The CASA/GAL does not provide legal representation. That is the role of an attorney. Instead, the CASA/GAL volunteer advocates for the best interests of the child. The CASA/GAL. provides crucial background information that assists judges or magistrates in making the best decision for the child.
CASA/GALs come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. Our program is composed of both male and female volunteers who are employed, retired, at home parents, students or full-time volunteers.
CASA/GALs are ordinary citizens. No special or legal background is required. However, volunteers are screened closely for objectivity, competence and commitment. CASA/GAL volunteers must be at least 21 years old and not a current foster parent in Greene County. Individuals must successfully complete a police background check.
CASAs undergo a thorough training course. During the forty hour training, volunteers learn about courtroom procedure from the principals in the system-judges, lawyers, social workers and court personnel. Court Appointed Special Advocates also learn effective advocacy techniques for children and are educated about specific topics ranging from child sexual abuse to how to give a report in court. Trainings are scheduled twice a year - In the fall and in the spring. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m. and on Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The culmination of the initial training is the swearing-in ceremony with the Juvenile Court Judge.
CASA/GAL volunteers are not service providers for the child. The CASA/GAL interviews the child if the child is old enough to talk. If not, the CASA/GAL observes the child's interactions with the various people involved in his/her life. Court Appointed Special Advocates offer the child trust, advocacy and stability during complex legal proceedings. They explain to the child the events that are happening and the roles of the judge, lawyers and social workers. The CASA/GAL volunteer also encourages the child to express his/her own opinions and hopes.
In Greene County, CASA/GAL volunteers are appointed to children who are in the Juvenile Court System as a result of abuse, neglect or dependency.
No. There are other child advocacy organizations, but Greene County CASA is the only program where volunteers are appointed by the court to advocate for a child's best interests.
Preliminary findings show that the children who have been assigned a CASA volunteer tend to spend less time in the court system and less time within the foster care system than those who do not have CASA representation. Judges have observed that Court Appointed Special Advocate children also have better chances of finding permanent homes than non-CASA children.
Yes, juvenile judges support the CASA program in their courtrooms and appoint the volunteers. Greene County CASA is endorsed by the Judges and Magistrates of Greene County Common Pleas Juvenile Division, Greene County Children Services, Greene County Commissioners, and the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
Currently, there are over 900 CASA programs in all 50 states, with more than 60,000 CASA volunteers servicing more than 260,000 abused, neglected and dependent children.
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association is a nonprofit organization that represents and serves the local Court Appointed Special Advocate programs. It provides training, technical assistance, research, news and public awareness services to members. NCASAA is located in Seattle, Washington, and is funded through a combination of private grants, federal funds, memberships and contributions.
CASA is a priority project of the Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The office encourages the establishment of new Court Appointed Special Advocate programs, assists established CASA programs, and provides partial funding for the National Court Appointed Special Advocates Association.
In Greene County, a group of community people representing child-focused organizations assembled to establish a Court Appointed Special Advocate program. A CASA program was top priority to Judge Robert Hutcheson for Juvenile. In March of 1996 that priority developed and the first CASA volunteer was appointed to a case in October of 1996.
Greene County Court Appointed Special Advocate program is a court based program. Coordination of the program is handled by the Program Director and Program Assistant. Advocate trainings are scheduled twice a year. Greene County CASA also holds several fund-raising activities throughout the year which is supported by volunteer efforts.
Yes! In 2002, 57 volunteers advocated for 193 children, but there are thousands more who need a CASA/GAL. voice in court. The goal of Greene County CASA is to provide a CASA/GAL. advocate for every child in Greene County who needs one.
Every child deserves a safe, permanent home.