CASA director urges Warren residents to volunteer as local program serves children with limited advocates

Kelsey Howard, executive director of CASA for Warren and Forest counties, told the Warren City Council on Feb. 26 that the local court‑appointed special advocates program needs more volunteers and funding to keep up with demand.

Howard said CASA currently has 10 volunteers assigned to 15 children but "we currently have four children that are not assigned a volunteer," and described the consequences: those children remain in the system and wait for a volunteer to be assigned. She said CASA volunteers complete a screening process and a 32‑hour initial training before being sworn in by a judge.

Howard outlined the organization's funding sources and constraints, saying the program receives one state grant and otherwise relies on community donations and occasional local grants. "I'm the only paid staff," she said, and added most income supports basic operations and the small paid position. Howard said volunteers typically handle one to two cases so they can invest time in each child's needs.

Council members asked about the volunteer assignment process, where unassigned children "just kind of sit and wait for us to assign a volunteer," according to Howard. She said volunteers may take more than one case if they choose, but she avoids overloading unpaid volunteers. Howard described CASA's work as an independent judicial appointee that investigates circumstances for children removed from their homes, meets monthly with children, and produces reports for the court.

Howard closed by asking residents to volunteer, donate or otherwise help spread the word. She provided business cards and directed interested residents to the CASA website application process, which includes an interview, background checks and the required training.

The council offered brief thanks and encouraged community support; no formal action was taken at the meeting.