November 2024
CASA of South Central began steps towards regionalization in fall of 2023 to merge with CASA of Effingham County including their program's expansion into Clay, Fayette and Jasper counties. In July 2024 a favorable vote by all boards to widen the merge to include CASA of Franklin and Hamilton Counties occurred. Final documentation of the full merge is almost complete and will soon operate as one entity CASA for Kids by December 2024.
All three boards believe regionalization allows our mission work to be done efficiently and effectively when maximizing resources and best supporting our talented staff and dedicated volunteers across southern Illinois. Serving more children and youth in our rural communities who have experienced abuse and neglect is top priority.
Inquiries regarding the merge and expansion may be directed to Libby Moeller, Deputy Director lmoeller@casa4change.org
OUR MISSION: Our not-for-profit organizations are dedicated to providing highly trained volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children that have experienced abuse and neglect in The Second and Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Systems we are assigned in each county. CASA Volunteers work cooperatively with the County Circuit Court System to ensure prompt delivery of services and to make independent recommendations to the court concerning the child’s well-being.
Court Appointed Special Advocates® (CASA) is a network of 941 community-based programs, across 49 states in this country that recruit, train, and support citizen-volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse and neglect in juvenile court. Volunteer Advocates—empowered directly by the courts—offer judges the critical information they need to ensure that each child’s rights and needs are being attended to while in foster care.
Volunteers stay with children until they are placed in safe, permanent homes. For many of these children, a CASA volunteer is the only constant adult presence in their lives. CASA volunteers are making lifelong differences in children's lives every day! Each year, more than 800 children and youth in the counties we serve, Clay, Clinton, Effingham, Franklin, Fayette, Hamilton, Jasper and Marion counties find themselves involved in juvenile court due to abuse and neglect at the hands of those who are entrusted with their care, love, and guidance.
Court Appointed Special Advocates® (CASA) are community volunteers, just like you, who stand up and speak out to help children who have experienced abuse and neglect. We need men and women who are willing to commit 5-10 hours per month to make a direct impact for children in their community. And make no mistake, these are OUR children. They are children you pass in the store or see on the playground. They are in the same classroom as your children and grandchildren. Like every child, these children need someone to step up and be their voice, to support them in their time of need.
WITH A CASA VOLUNTEER, CHILDREN:
- are more likely to find a safe, permanent home
- are more likely to be adopted
- are half as likely to re-enter foster care
- are more likely to have a plan for permanency, especially children of color
- receive more attention and services while in care
- are more likely to have a consistent, responsible adult presence
- spend less time in foster care
- receive improved representation in court
- do better in school performance
- are more likely to pass all courses
- are less likely to have poor conduct in school
