** NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY INTO OUR FALL TRAINING CLASS **
TRAINING BEGINS MARCH 15, 2018

The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program of McKean County, in concert with the national and state CASA programs, provides volunteers who are committed to support the local court as advocates of abused and neglected children, toward breaking the cycle of child abuse so that children can thrive in safe, permanent, nurturing homes.

What is a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate)?

Specially recruited, screened, and trained citizen-volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court proceedings within OUR community.

 In 2013 over 21,000 children in Pennsylvania were placed in the foster care system when their home was no longer considered safe.  In McKean County alone, 128 of those children were victims to child abuse and neglect by their caretakers.

CASA makes a difference in the lives of our children. YOU can make a difference by becoming a CASA advocate.

 CASA advocates are volunteers in our community who have decided that they cannot sit silent while our children drift through the complexities of the court process.

 The CASA volunteer is there to tell the child’s story and to ensure they do not get lost in an overburdened legal and social service system.

 For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.

• Children with CASA volunteers spend 7.5 months less in foster care, experience fewer out of home placements and have significantly improved educational performance.
• More than 90% of children with CASA volunteers never reenter the child welfare system, a significant difference compared to the general foster care population.
• Children assigned a CASA volunteer are more likely to find a safe and permanent home; receive necessary therapy, healthcare and education; and experience school success.