The Court Appointed Special Advocate program serving Porter County is transitioning from the Family and Youth Services Bureau to the direct purview of Porter Circuit Court, according to a release from the court.
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After the retirement of Sarah Arnold, Cecilia Snyder has been named director of the Porter County CASA program and will lead the program.
The transition marks an important step for the CASA program and reflects the court’s commitment to providing strong, locally focused advocacy for children and families involved in the court system, according to the release.
Court Appointed Special Advocates are trained community volunteers appointed by the court to advocate for the best interests of children involved in child welfare proceedings. CASA volunteers provide consistent advocacy and help the court better understand the individual needs and circumstances of each child they serve.
Bringing the program under the circuit court’s purview will provide an opportunity to strengthen the connection between CASA advocates and the court they serve while expanding the program’s ability to meet the needs of Porter County families, according to the release.
“The court is excited about the opportunities this transition creates for the CASA
program and for the children and families we serve,” said Porter Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Buitendorp in the release.
“Our goal is to build upon the strong work that has already been done and to expand the program so that more children in Porter County can benefit from the dedicated advocacy of CASA volunteers.”
As program director, Snyder will oversee the continued development and operation of the CASA program, with a focus on strengthening relationships with local families, community organizations, attorneys, child welfare professionals and other community partners. The program will also focus on expanding volunteer recruitment and training, increasing community awareness, and growing its capacity to serve children in need of an advocate.
The court extended its appreciation to Claudia Clark, Sarah Fink and Sarah Arnold for the many years of dedicated service to the CASA program and to the children and families it serves. Their commitment, leadership, and contributions helped establish a strong foundation for the program’s continued development.
The Court also recognizes and appreciates the contributions of the Family and Youth Services Bureau in supporting the CASA program and helping establish a foundation for its continued success.
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Individuals interested in learning more about CASA, becoming a volunteer or supporting the program’s continued growth should email [email protected].