Child Advocacy Organization, CASA, of Allen and Putnam Counties is looking to expand their reach of advocacy, hoping to double the amount of children assisted over the next two years. 

To reach that goal will require an increase of funding and volunteers. If you desire to investigate becoming an advocate, CASA will be hosting a new volunteer orientation on Thursday, Jan. 29 with two available time slots; 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., or 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

If you would like to contribute financially, you can visit the website www.crimevictimservices.org, and click on the CASA tab. Crime Victim Services is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization, so your contribution is tax deductible.

For general information or specific questions, you can contact the local CASA office via email at [email protected], or by calling 419-222-8666.

Aboout CASA

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Allen and Putnam Counties is a volunteer-driven organization that provides help and hope for children who are victims of abuse and neglect.

The local organization was started in 2009 with a single advocate serving six new cases, and in 2014 has grown to over 45 volunteers appointed to 77 of the approximately 300 total abuse and neglect cases in Allen County.

There are very few criteria to begin this process. The applicant must be 21 years of age, with a desire to positively impact the life of a child who has undergone trauma in the home.

The application process includes an interview, background and reference checks, and completion of 35 hours of Pre Service Training. 

Subsequent to that process, volunteers will be sworn in by the Juvenile Court Judge, and they are then approved to be assigned a case through the Allen County court. Through the case, the advocate completes a thorough assessment of the child’s circumstances, submits reports to the court with their recommendations, and attends court hearings on behalf of the child. The CASA Volunteer makes a commitment to the child until the case is closed. 

CASA has earned the respect of recently re-elected Allen County Juvenile Court Judge Glenn Derryberry, who states: “There is absolutely judicial support for the program. The Court is receiving quality services from the CASA program. I believe that the program has engendered an increase in community awareness and involvement regarding the dependency, neglect and abuse of children in the community.”