Porter County CASA Program

Description

Porter County CASA is a member of the National CASA Association for Children. Located in Valparaiso, IN, Porter County CASA has been a program of the Family & Youth Services Bureau since 1989.

A CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, is a dedicated community volunteer who has been trained to advocate for the needs of children involved in the child welfare system due to parental abuse or neglect.

A CASA’s unique knowledge of a child’s situation allows them to make independent and informed recommendations to the court that help the judge decide what’s in a child’s best interest.

CASA representation ensures that every child impacted by abuse or neglect receives the support of a caring and consistent volunteer during the toughest time in their life. It ensures that children remain top priority in an overburdened child welfare system, and gives them a better chance at breaking dysfunctional life cycles so they may ultimately heal and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

Over the past half decade the number of children who have suffered abuse and neglect and entered into the child welfare system has increased exponentially due in large part to the opioid crisis. In fact, in the last three years, an average of over 350 children annually experienced abuse and neglect and received advocacy by Porter County CASA volunteers.