Mission: To ensure that every child has a safe, supportive and permanent home through community education and by providing court-appointed volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children within the court system.
There is a real need for children, who are victims of child abuse and neglect, to have a voice in the life-altering decisions being made about them in the court room. CASA gives them that voice. – Judge Oliver Lobaugh
CASA of Venango County
At CASA of Venango County, we are committed to supporting children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are navigating the foster care system. Our mission is to help ensure that every child has access to a safe, supportive, and permanent home through community education and by providing trained, court-appointed volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children within the court system.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers are dedicated individuals who work alongside children, families, and professionals to help amplify the voices of children impacted by the foster care system. Through compassion, commitment, and consistent support, our advocates focus on understanding and representing each child’s unique needs, ensuring they receive the attention and resources they deserve within an often complex system. The program reflects the collaboration of private support, public services, and the efforts of 16 volunteers dedicated to upholding the rights and well-being of every child.
Since our beginning in 2005, we have been guided by the belief that every child deserves to be heard, valued, and supported. With the involvement of our volunteers, supporters, and community partners, we work together to positively impact the lives of children experiencing foster care—one case at a time.
Together, we can create meaningful change. Together, we can support the future of children in Venango County.
Pennsylvania CASA
The Pennsylvania Court Appointed Special Advocates Association (PA CASA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 to grow, strengthen, and unite local CASA programs so they can ensure the safety, well-being, and forever home for every abused and/or neglected child in Pennsylvania. To fulfill its mission, PA CASA supports the existing network of local CASA programs, builds new CASA programs and secures resources critical to CASA’s mission. Currently, PA CASA provides training, technical assistance, and continuous quality improvement services to the 21 local CASA programs serving 27 counties. In the remaining 40 counties, PA CASA actively pursues program development. Through statewide advocacy, PA CASA provides resources that make it easier for CASA programs to serve children. PA CASA’s vision is for every abused and/or neglected child in Pennsylvania to have access to the service and support of a CASA volunteer.
For additional information, please refer to the PA CASA website.
National CASA/GAL
Judge Soukup, a Juvenile Court Judge, watched as many parties entered and exited the juvenile dependency courtroom, but he never heard anyone speak strictly on behalf of the child. Inspiration came when Judge Soukup had insufficient information to make a life-changing decision for a 3-year-old girl who had suffered from child abuse. Judge Soukup’s idea of training volunteers to speak up in the courtroom on behalf of a child’s best interests came to fruition in 1977. The first CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program was established in Seattle (King County), Washington, and was endorsed as a model for safeguarding a child’s rights to a safe and permanent family by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. As the program model continued to grow and develop in other states, the National CASA Association was formed in Seattle in 1984. Currently, there are nearly 1,000 CASA programs throughout the United States. The CASA/GAL network has reached over 2 million children since National CASA/GAL’s inception.
The National CASA/GAL Association, together with state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.
For additional information, please refer to the National CASA/GAL website.