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Local CASA program cites $44,100 shortfall after state grant cuts, asks county for $13,060 to sustain staff advocate
Summary
Whitney Pennington, a local Guardian ad Litem and executive director, told the council statewide ICJI grant cuts reduced funding for CASA programs; she asked the county for $13,060 to sustain a staff advocate position and said the program has a local deficit of about $44,100 after the cuts.
Whitney Pennington, who serves as one of three Guardian ad Litems in the state and as executive director for Cross of Jefferson County, told the council the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute reduced grant funding for CASA programs statewide. Pennington said the program previously received $10 million but now faced lower allocations and reported a local shortfall of roughly $44,100 after the cut.
Pennington requested $13,060 from Jefferson County to help sustain a paid staff advocate position that can serve up to 30 lower‑triage children and to cover payroll beginning in September 2027. "So one of the things that we're asking for is $13,060," she said, noting other funding sources include a guaranteed state allocation of roughly $22,000 and a $30,000 set‑aside from a local judge's budget. Pennington described heavy caseloads—94 children so far this year needed court intervention in the county—and said sustaining staff reduces turnover and improves representation for children in court.
Council members asked about caseload averages and staffing; Pennington said the program serves about 200 children per year in total but that 94 had required court‑ordered intervention this year so far. The council did not take a vote; staff follow‑up on how the request fits into the county’s budget process was requested.
