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CASA stands for
Court Appointed Special
Advocates
CASA OF
JEFFERSON COUNTY SERVES JEFFERSON, OLDHAM, HENRY & TRIMBLE COUNTIES
Locally, CASA of
Jefferson County was organized in January 1985 through
the joint efforts of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW)/Louisville Section, the Jefferson District Court and the Jefferson
County Child Abuse Authority (JCCAA).
CASA was
developed in Jefferson County following a community-wide assessment
inspired by a dramatic increase in the incidence of child abuse and
neglect in Kentucky. The assessment uncovered a need for additional
services for dependent children as well as a need for volunteer
advocates to act on behalf of children involved in Family Court.
CASA of
Jefferson County was the first in Kentucky and is one of the over
900 CASA programs in 50 states nationwide.
To view our
2006 Annual Report,
click here. To view our Internet Privacy Policy,
click here.
CASA HELPS
CHILDREN NATIONWIDE
Nationally, since its creation in 1977, CASA has had a dramatic
impact on the nation’s court system. There are now over 900 CASA
programs across the country, including Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Virgin Islands. New programs start up at a rate of two per month.
Research shows these programs utilize more than 73,000 volunteers,
who help an estimated 25% of the nation’s abused and neglected children in
dependency proceedings. In 2003, they worked with approximately
288,000 children. Local CASA programs vary in size and scope from
jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Programs often
differ from one jurisdiction to another, with varying operating
methods and sources of funding. In all states the CASA volunteer is
a monitor, providing research and background, and following through
on each case to see that the court’s recommendations are carried
out. In some states, the CASA volunteer is a full party to court
proceedings to the extent that he or she may call witnesses and
solicit testimony through the services of an attorney.
CASA is known at
the local level by a variety of other names. In San Diego, CA the
Program is called Voices for Children; in Cincinnati, OH, it’s
ProKids. One of the Largest CASA programs in the nation is the
Florida Guardian Ad Litem program, managed by state
government.
CASA
RECEIVES GRANT FROM JEWELERS FOR CHILDREN
CASA of Jefferson County was recently
awarded a $10,000 grant from Jewelers For Children, the
leading charity of the U.S. jewelry industry. These funds
will be used to expand advocacy for abused and neglected
children in the Henry, Oldham and Trimble Counties area...more.
COMMENTS ABOUT CASA:
"CASA
volunteers dramatically effect positive changes for children in
crisis. We take their recommendations very seriously. I just wish
there were more of them."
–Richard Porter
Guardian ad litem (GAL) Attorney
"I think our system is good; it provides primary colors
in terms of the needs of children. But we all know that children
need pastels. What CASA volunteers do is help children celebrate the
pastels of life."
–Judge Richard FitzGerald
Jefferson Family Court
"I have found having a CASA volunteer on a case greatly
enhances information brought before the court. I can feel confident
that the child's needs will remain the focus of the case when a CASA
volunteer is involved."
–Judge Jerry Bowles
Family Court Judge
"...It's exciting to realize the powerful potential CASA has
to positively impact a child's life–one that previously was
filled with abuse and neglect. As a CASA, the interaction with the
child and their families is hands-on. And on that level you know you
are making a difference–a difference based on relationship
building."
–Mike
McFarland
CASA
Volunteer |
