About Us

The Clark County, Indiana program operates under the name “CASA - The Voice of Clark County’s Children” and is a court program operating under the auspices of Clark County Circuit Court 4.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is affiliated with the Indiana State Office of GAL/CASA, which is part of the Indiana Supreme Court, Division of State Court Administration. This program is certified by the State Office and complies with the Indiana Supreme Court Program Standards and Code of Ethics for GAL/CASA programs. This program is also a member of the National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association.

CASA - The Voice of Clark County's Children, Court Appointed Special Advocate ("CASA") Program mission is to advocate for the best interests of children involved in a neglect and/or abuse case in the court system of Clark County, Indiana.

Our Vision is for EVERY CHILD involved in a neglect and/or abuse case to have a court appointed special advocate.

Our Action statement: To recruit and train a diverse group of Volunteer/Staff to advocate for Clark County's children involved in an abuse or neglect case.

THE HARD TRUTH

In 2021:

329 children were in the Clark County legal system because of abuse and/or neglect
over 21,537 children were in the legal system due to abuse and/or neglect in the state of Indiana
over 600,000 children in the United States experienced abuse or neglect.

STATE AND NATIONAL CASA

CASA - The Voice of Clark County's Children is affiliated with Indiana State CASA and a member of the National CASA Association.

There are now CASA programs in 88 of Indiana's 92 counties, with thousands of Volunteer/Staff speaking up children statewide who are involved with the Department of Child Services (DCS) and the court.

Find out more about these organizations at childadvocatesnetwork.org and casaforchildren.org.

The CASA Creed

I am a Court Appointed Special Advocate, a CASA.

I am the guardian of our children.

I am a protector of our children.

I advocate for the child.

I hope to improve the family.

I serve the children of the state of Indiana.

I serve the children whose voice we oftentimes ignore.

I live the CASA's oath of office.

I will always place my obligation to the child first.

I will be fair. I will be impartial.

I am trained. I am constantly improving my skills.

I am a professional. I am independent.

I will listen. I will not judge.

I will recommend what I believe is in the best interest of the child.

I am a protector of our children.

I advocate for the child. I hope to improve the family.

All children deserve peace, safety, and happiness.

I am the guardian of our children.

I am a Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Justice Steve David, October 2011