St. Joseph County CASA Program
1000 S. Michigan St.
South Bend, IN 46601-3426
Phone: (574) 235-5375 FAx: (574) 235-5553
e-Mail: casa@jjconline.org
URL: http://users.michiana.org/probate/SJC-Casa.htm
The St. Joseph County
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program
Organization and location: A volunteer organization
located on site in the Thomas N. Frederick Juvenile Justice Center (JJC)
maintained by the St. Joseph Probate Court.
The JJC is a multi faceted facility which houses a variety of agencies that
interact with the court, including the Probate Clerk, Juvenile Probation,
Juvenile Detention, Prosecutor's Office, Public Defender's Office, Juvenile
Justice Residential Program, Day Reporting, Central Academy, Mentoring Services,
and the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)
program. The court handles all juvenile cases in St. Joseph County, Indiana concerning
delinquency, abuse, neglect, dependency, adoptions and the establishment
of paternity. Additionally, the court has jurisdiction over wills,
estates, and guardianships.
Executive Director: Judith O'Neill
Transportation: Public transit at the door
Accessibility: Special parking, fully accessible
History:
Services Provided: Trained volunteers are assigned to abuse and
neglect cases currently before the Court. The assigned volunteer
meets with all parties, and conducts an independent investigation to provide
information to the Court on what is in the best interests of the child.
CASA FACTS
What is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)?
A CASA is a volunteer who advocates for children who are in the
juvenile court system as a result of abuse and/or neglect. Volunteers
investigate, negotiate, monitor and advocate for the best interest of the
child. CASA's advise the St. Joseph County Probate Court by testifying
at court hearings and by submitting thorough written reports. The reports
include a factual history as well as recommendations for the child's case
plan, including placement and treatment. The program has standing to
file appropriate legal motions and request hearings on behalf of the child.
CASAs participate in case conferences at the St. Joseph County Office of
the Division of Family and Children.
Are CASA Programs Known By Other Names? - Program names
within the CASA network include CASA, GAL, FOCAS, Pro-Kids, Voices for Children,
Youth Advocacy Commission, Law & Child Protection Project, Child Advocates
Youth Services, Children in Placement and Justice System Volunteer Program.
What is the CASA volunteer's role?
A CASA volunteer provides a judge with a carefully researched background
of the child to help the court make a sound decision about that child's
future. Each home placement situation is as unique as the child involved.
The CASA volunteer must determine if it is in a child's best interest to
stay with his or her parents or guardians, be placed in foster care, or
be freed for permanent adoption. The CASA volunteer makes placement
and treatment recommendations to the judge and monitors the case until it
is permanently resolved.
How does a CASA volunteer investigate a case? - To prepare
a recommendation, the CASA volunteer meets with the child, parents, family
members, social workers, school officials, health providers, and others
who are knowledgeable about the child's history. The CASA volunteer
also reviews all records pertaining to the child: school, medical,
case worker reports, and other documents.
How does a CASA volunteer differ from an Office of Family and Children
Family Case Manager? - The OFC (Office of Family and Children)
Case Manager is employed by the government. They sometimes work on
as many as 60 cases at one time, and are frequently unable to conduct a comprehensive
investigation of each. A CASA volunteer has more time and a
smaller caseload. The CASA volunteer does not replace a FCM (Family
Case Manager) on a case; he or she is an independent appointee of the court.
The CASA volunteer can thoroughly examine a child's case, has knowledge of
community resources, and can make a recommendation to the court, independent
of state agency restrictions.
How does the role of a CASA volunteer differ from an attorney? -
The CASA volunteer does not provide legal representation in the courtroom.
That is the role of the attorney. However, the CASA volunteer does
provide crucial background information that assists attorneys in presenting
their cases.
Who is the "typical" CASA volunteer? - CASA volunteers
come from all walks of life, with a variety of professional, educational,
and ethnic backgrounds. There are more than 60,000 CASA volunteers
advocating for 250,000 children in the United States.
Local Facts - During 2002, the local program
was served by 60 volunteers. In 2002, local volunteers contributed
over 7500 hours and served over 250 children. Locally,
the CASA Program of St. Joseph County is administered by the St. Joseph
Probate Court.
Can anyone be a CASA volunteer? - Yes. No specialized
background is required. Volunteers are screened closely for objectivity,
competence, and commitment. Indiana statute requires that volunteers
be 21 years of age.
What training does a CASA volunteer receive? - CASA volunteers
undergo a thorough training course conducted by the local CASA program.
Locally, volunteers receive 35 hours of training offered by a variety of
local professionals who contribute their training services to the program.
Volunteers learn about courtroom procedure from the principals in the system:
attorneys, social caseworkers, therapists and others. CASA volunteers
also learn effective advocacy techniques for children, and are educated
about specific topics ranging from seminars on child sexual abuse to discussions
on early childhood development and adolescent behavior.
How does the CASA volunteer relate to the child he or she represents?
- CASA volunteers offer children trust and advocacy during complex
legal proceedings. They explain to the child the events that are happening,
the reason for court proceedings, and the roles that the judge, attorneys,
and social workers play. CASA volunteers also encourage the child
to express his or her own opinions and hopes.
How many cases on the average does a CASA volunteer carry at a time?
- The number varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but an average
caseload is one to two cases.
Do lawyers, judges, and social caseworkers support CASA? - Yes.
Juvenile and family court judges implement the CASA program in their courtroom
and appoint the volunteers. CASA has been endorsed by the American
Bar Association, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges,
and the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators.
CASA is a priority project of the Department of Justice’s Office
of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The office encourages
the establishment of new CASA programs, assists established CASA programs
and provides partial funding for the National CASA Association.
How many CASA Programs are there nationally? - There
are now 900 CASA programs operating across the country, including the District
of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
How effective have CASA Programs been? - Studies indicate
that children who have been assigned CASA volunteers tend to spend less
time in court and less time within the foster care system than those who
do not have CASA representation. Judges have observed that CASA children
also have increased chances of finding permanent homes than non-CASA children.
How much time does a case require? - Each case is different.
A CASA volunteer usually spends about 15 hours doing research and conducting
interviews prior to the first court appearance. More complicated cases
require more time. Once initiated into the system, volunteers work
about 10-15 hours per month.
How long does a CASA volunteer remain involved with a case? - The
volunteer continues until the case is permanently resolved. This is
a primary benefit to the child because unlike other court principals
who often rotate cases, the CASA volunteer is a consistent figure in the
proceedings and provides continuity for the child.
Are there any other agencies or groups which provide the same service?
- No. There are other child advocacy organizations, but CASA
is the only program through which volunteers are appointed by the court
to represent a child's best interest.
What is the role of the National CASA Association? - The
National CASA Association is a non-profit organization that represents and
serves the local CASA programs. It provides training, technical assistance,
research, news, and public awareness services to its members.
How is the program regarded locally? - "CASA
volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of the Court. They are to be
commended for their interest and dedication in advocating for children.
Protecting the best interest of the child is the overriding
concern of every CASA volunteer." (Hon. Peter J. Nemeth, Judge, St.
Joseph Probate Court)
"The CASA's services are very much needed for the welfare of these children.
Thank you for your dedication to these children. I can certainly understand
why you want the CASA back in St. Joseph County to be reassigned to another
family. She has done an outstanding job and certainly has the children's
interest at heart." (Hon. Michael D. Cook, Judge, Marshall Circuit Court,
commenting after a local CASA's assignment to a sibling group was continued
when the children moved from St. Joseph to Marshall County which at the
time was without a CASA Program)
Local Facts - During 2002, the local program
was served by 60 volunteers. In 2002, local volunteers contributed
over 7500 hours and served over 250 children. Locally,
the CASA Program of St. Joseph County is administered by the St. Joseph
Probate Court.
Updated: 4/25/2003
1000 S. Michigan St. , South Bend, IN 46601-3426
Phone: 574-235-KIDS (5437) FAX 574-235-5382