Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA®) of Allen and Putnam Counties, Ohio held a Volunteer Swearing-In Ceremony on Thursday, February 22 at the Allen County Juvenile Court. Three new CASA volunteers were sworn in as officers of the court by Allen County Juvenile Court Judge Todd Kohlrieser.    

CASA, a program  of Crime Victim Services, trains community volunteers to act as Guardians ad Litem for children who are in the juvenile court system due to dependency, neglect, or abuse.

CASA volunteers conduct an assessment of the circumstances surrounding the case of a dependent, abused, or neglected child.  This includes meeting with the child, as well as the child’s family, caregivers, school teachers, and service professionals.  They compile their assessment into a court report which is submitted to the Judge for review. They continue visiting with and speaking up for the best interest of the child in court for the duration of the case until the child is in a safe, permanent home.

If you would like to support the program’s advocacy efforts through volunteering or a donation  you can call the office at 567-940-CASA (2272), visit their website at www.casaoflima.org, search @casaoflima to find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or visit the office at 234 N. Main St. in Lima.