Greene County CASA program protects the most vulnerable
At any given time, 100 children in Greene County are involved in the child welfare court system.
As the children in the most serious cases navigate the court system, a program using volunteer court-appointed special advocates (CASAs) stands ready to be their voice.
“Greene County has regularly experienced a higher per capita rate of child abuse and neglect than other areas across the state,” said Aaron Houser, executive director of the county’s CASA program.
The advocates serve as an extra set of eyes on the situation, providing an outlet for the child to share what they have experienced, researching educational, medical and mental health records, and then reporting what they find to the court and offering an unbiased recommendation about what should happen in the case.
The CASA program also offers projects and programs to help vulnerable families avoid serious issues.
“CASA created the Kids Corner in our office to serve as neutral territory for families to meet with personnel and attorneys. It’s a place children can meet with their … advocate and provides a safe space for children during long court hearings,” Johnson said. “We’re currently expanding the area to provide emergency, overnight housing for children removed from their home after normal business hours.”
In addition, the CASA program uses volunteers to pack Foster Care Comfort Bags with toiletries, books and clothes.
“In the last three years, the Children’s Winter Gear Distribution has outfitted over 500 local children in coats, boots, gloves, hoodies, pajamas, blankets and more,” Johnson said. “The team at Iron Senergy is the sponsor for this year’s event and has included a $10,000 challenge grant to further CASA’s mission.”
Every donation made before Dec. 1 will be matched by Iron Senergy.
While child abuse and neglect is not a pleasant topic of conversation, it’s real and the education, advocacy and service is crucial to children in need, said Johnson.
Becoming an Advocate requires an application process. Each potential volunteer must undergo background checks, provide community references and complete 30 hours of training.
They are sworn in by a judge, appointed to specific children, and serve them in a way that shows the consistent love and support they may have not encountered in the past.
Johnson said despite the grim statistics regarding child abuse in the area, there’s a silver lining in the good work advocates for the community.
“There is no shortage of goodwill in Greene County and CASA is becoming one of the lenses that focus that light where it needs to be,” Johnson said.
An annual CASA Greene County Dodgeball Tournament is held in April, bringing awareness to Child Abuse Prevention Month and raising funds for the nonprofit organization.
It’s also a ton of fun.
“Earlier this year, 18 community teams battled it out to take the CASA Cup home,” Johnson said. “The KSW Oilfield Rentals team won in 2023. We wanted to create a great community fundraiser that also served as a free and entertaining afternoon for local families.”
For more information about becoming a CASA supporter, visit www.greenecountycasa.org and follow on social media at facebook.com/greenecountycasa.