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Court Appointed Special Advocates (C.A.S.A.)

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CASA COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES For Children Speak Up For A Child

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A CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is a volunteer who has completed the training program provided by the Family & Youth Services Bureau and has been appointed by the Porter County Juvenile court to act as an independent advocate for an abused or neglected child. The CASA program was established in 1989 in order to provide a voice for abused and neglected children in court. Volunteers are carefully screened, trained and supervised.

The CASA provides the child with a voice in what services are to be provided for him/her and for the family in planning the child's future. The CASA volunteer is able to make completely independent recommendations and concentrate solely on the child; helping assure that placements of the child are truly in the best interests of the child.

A CASA investigates the circumstances surrounding the case, making an independent evaluation and recommendations to the Court of what is in the child's best interest - both immediately and in the future - and monitoring the case until a permanent plan is approved by the court.

Any Adult, age 21 or over, can submit an application. Volunteers should be mature, responsible people with good judgment who have the ability to remain objective, to relate to families and professional and to communicate orally and in writing. Qualified Volunteers must undergo 28 hours of training.

You can become a CASA by simply calling Claudia at (219) 763-6623.

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Family & Youth Services Bureau of Porter County
Portage Office 6469 Central Avenue Portage, IN 46368 Telephone: (219) 763-6623 Fax: (219) 763-0530	Valparaiso Office 253 W. Lincolnway Valparaiso, IN 46383 Telephone: (219) 464-9585 Fax: (219) 462-4159	South Valparaiso Office 1660 S. State Road 2 Valparaiso, IN 46385 Telephone: (219) 464-4641 Residential Fax: (219) 462-8208 Alternative Education Fax: (219) 468-4159
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