CASA
COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES PROGRAM OF SCOTT COUNTY (CASA)
Mission Statement
It is our mission to train, supervise and support volunteers to advocate for the best interest of the abused and neglected children in the Scott County court systems.
Vision Statement
It is our vision to recruit, train, supervise and support a diverse group of volunteer advocates large enough so that each child involved in an abuse or neglect case, in the Scott County court systems, has an advocate to speak in his or her best interest.
Our Operation
Court Appointed Special Advocates Program of Scott County (CASA) is operated by a small staff consisting of a part-time Director. The CASA Advisory Board consists of 10 members.
We operate under an umbrella of the Scott County Partnership, a private, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and a member of the National CASA Association’s network of over 900 local child advocacy agencies. We are a member of the Indiana State CASA Association. We are also affiliated with the Scott County United Way.
Our Court Relationship
Court Appointed Special Advocates Program of Scott County (CASA) has a written agreement with the Scott Circuit Court and maintains an excellent working relationship with the court. The court consistently relies upon CASA to provide an independent and comprehensive report on every aspect of the case. The presiding juvenile judge makes all case appointments to CASA. Our goal is to have every case assigned a CASA. There is an alarming amount of cases needing a CASA, the judge appoints CASA volunteers only to the most complex cases and those having the greatest need. Preference is given to cases that are at the shelter care stage and to children from birth to 13 years of age. The court and agency’s philosophy is, more can be accomplished for a child, if intervention occurs as early as possible.
Our Program
At CASA Program of Scott County we have one program goal: to recruit, screen, train, mentor and supervise volunteers who are appointed by the juvenile court to serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates.
We serve children who become involved in the juvenile court system because they have been victims of abuse or neglect.
Our goal is to serve 100% of the abused and neglected children in the Scott County juvenile court system with the highest quality of care and finding them permanency as quickly as possible.
Our History
The Program was established in 2007. The court sworn in the first five advocates on December 6, 2007. The court recognizes Scott County Program CASA volunteers as Guardians Ad Litem (GAL). It is the goal of CASA to advocate for the best interests of children who are the subjects of child abuse/neglect proceedings in the Scott County, Indiana Juvenile Court. It is the Program’s overall goal to serve 100% of the abused and neglected children in Scott County who need a voice in court.
CASA Program of Scott County, 1092 West Community Way, Lifelong Learning Center, Scottsburg, IN 47170
Telephone (812) 752-4748, Fax (812) 752-9380. E-mail: scottcasa@gmail.com
