SPEAK POWERFULLY FOR THE
CHILDREN
You can help
abused and neglected children who are caught up in the complexities of the
court system. Volunteer to speak up
for a child in court. As a Court
Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) or Guardian ad Litem volunteer, your
voice can help the Court in finding a safe permanent home for children
where they can thrive.
Volunteer Guardians ad
Litem for Children
How it all began…
In 1977,
Judge David Soukup of Seattle, Washington, first recruited community
volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children in court. Currently, there are more than 937 CASA
programs in all 50 states with 50,801 volunteers working on behalf of more
than 188,620 children.
In Ohio…
Since 1980,
more than 30 counties have initiated CASA programs, making a dramatic
impact on Ohio’s Juvenile Court system.
In Huron County…
1989, Judge
Thomas E. Heydinger initiated the volunteer program. In 2005, 19 volunteers advocated for
children in more than 100 abuse, neglect, or dependency cases here in Huron
County.
THE VOLUNTEER’S ROLE
As a child
advocate the CASA volunteer has three main responsibilities:
- To serve as a fact-finder for
the Court by completely researching the background of child abuse and
neglect cases. The CASA
volunteer may do this by reviewing documents and interviewing the
child, parents, family members, neighbors, school officials, and
doctors.
- To speak for the child in the
courtroom, focusing exclusively on the child’s best interests. A CASA volunteer provides carefully
researched information to help the Judge or Magistrate make decisions.
- To continue to monitor the child
during the life of the case, helping to insure he or she will be
raised in a safe, permanent, and nurturing home.
Becoming A Volunteer
CASA
volunteers are ordinary citizens.
No special legal or social work background is required. CASA volunteers in Huron County agree to
a criminal background check and are screened closely for objectivity,
competence, and commitment, and then undergo a thorough training course
administered by the Program Director.
Volunteers learn courtroom procedures from Judges, lawyers, social
workers, and CASA staff. They also
receive training in effective advocacy techniques for children, and other
topics such as early child development and adolescent behavior.
Speak Up For A Child
You can help
by taking an interest in the lives of children in Huron County and becoming
a volunteer advocate. Click here for an application. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to
open the application. Free Adobe Acrobat Reader Download
For more
information on volunteer opportunities or the Program, contact:
Mary Ann
Lamb, Program Director for CASA of Huron County
Huron County
Common Pleas Court
Court
Services
2 East Main
Street, Room 102
Norwalk,
OH 44857-1534
Phone: (419)
663-2525 ext. 235
Fax: (419) 663-0944
Email
address: casa@accnorwalk.com
Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
National CASA Organization
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