Elkhart County CASA Program

Please welcome Caitlin Doucette, Director, Elkhart County CASA to our meeting today.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates

What is a CASA?
When a child is in the juvenile court system due to abuse or neglect, a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer represents the best interest of the child in court hearings and many other areas of the child’s life. The purpose of CASA is to be the child’s voice in court, making sure children are safe, have a permanent home and have the opportunity to thrive.  Without a CASA, children may find themselves trapped in the court and child welfare system, spending their entire childhood moving from one temporary placement to another.

How does the CASA model work?
CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for children’s best interests. They stay with each case until it is closed and the child is in a safe, permanent home. Volunteers work with legal and child welfare professionals, educators and service providers to ensure that judges have all the information they need. Volunteers help judges develop a fuller picture of each child’s life. Their advocacy enables judges to make the most well-informed decision for each child.

What does a CASA volunteer do?
As a CASA volunteer, you will form a one-on-one relationship with a child to get a full picture of the case. A CASA volunteer’s work with children is one-on-one, but they do not work alone. Each volunteer is trained and supported by highly qualified CAPS staff member.

How can I become a CASA volunteer?
To change a child’s life for the better, click the volunteer link below. You’ll be trained and supported every step of the way.

This will be a hybrid meeting - - you can attend in-person at Matterhorn Conference Center or virtually on Zoom at noon: 

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9601448006?pwd=WGhWc3h5MDByVlRORGcyYnN2WjROUT09
Meeting ID: 960 144 8006 | Passcode: 1917