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Vigo County tables CASA staff advocate request as grant funding runs through Sept. 2026
Summary
CASA director reported rising caseloads and requested funding for a staff advocate position; council tabled the request after legal discussion about grant supplanting rules and budget timing.
CASA's director told the council that the program’s caseload had grown from 918 to 939 children and that losing a staff member next year would be critical to the program. The director said the position is currently supported by grant funds that run through Sept. 30, 2026 and asked the council to consider county support.
Council members expressed sympathy but raised procedural and budget concerns. Legal staff advised that federal grant rules may prohibit supplanting county funds for positions the grantee already covered, and budget committee members said the county’s preliminary budget did not include the position for next year.
Council members recommended tabling the request so the director could pursue budget committee review and provide more detailed timing and fiscal options. The motion to table was made by Councilman Brad Anderson and seconded by Councilwoman Brenda Wilson; the motion carried.
Why it matters: CASA serves children in court cases and said its lowest caseload per staff member had risen to 17, and that recent intake created urgent demand. The timing of county assistance matters because the grant funding ends Sept. 30, 2026 and the council must consider whether to fund a continuing position in future budgets or allow the grant-funded position to expire.
Next steps: CASA was told to monitor its grant status and return to the budget committee or council if the grant is lost; the budget committee may consider a request if circumstances change.
