Casa History
The Macon County court recognizes CASA volunteers as "Officers of the Court". Cases are referred to CASA at the discretion of the Juvenile Judge and/or upon the recommendation of the Assistant State’s Attorney or Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) but can be requested by The Department of Children and Family Services or a private agency within the case. The Judge assigns cases based on urgent and immediate need for the child and also how potentially complicated a case may become. Cases are identified for referral at the earliest possible stage, preferably at the conclusion of the initial hearing. The Executive Director, Program Director and Advocate Supervisor manage the case overload. The CASA Program Director then assigns a case to the volunteer whose skills best match the needs of the child. The Executive Director and Program Director manage the case overload, in addition to their management duties, until a volunteer is available to take a new case. Upon receiving a case, the CASA volunteer initiates interviews with all connected parties to determine what is in the best interest of the child. These interviews include, but are not limited to: parents and extended family members, foster parents, school/day care personnel, caseworkers, counselors, neighbors and friends of the child’s parents. Each volunteer investigates, facilitates, advocates and monitors their case, while supplying the juvenile judge with fact based reports on findings with the best interest of the child in mind. These reports also provide a recommendation for the best long term placement for the child. Ongoing reports reflect the changes that occur with the parties in each case which include but are not limited to parents meeting (or not) the goals on service plans, children thriving (or not) in their temporary settings and any new evidence that may surface.
The work of the CASA is in
consistent promotion for the best interest of the child. In
1998, National CASA began a ceremony to represent the abused and
neglected children. Each county, with a CASA agency, has since
supported this ceremony by holding a ritual, of their own. Macon
County CASA observes Child Abuse Prevention Month every April,
and supports the National CASA Association, by lighting a
wreath on the north side of the Macon County court house as our
symbol of the Light of Hope. Each light on the wreath is a
representation of each child that is served by Macon County CASA.
The wreath is symbolic of a circle of hope which details how
Macon County CASA works. The circle begins with a child being
introduced into the Juvenile Court System for abuse or neglect,
continues with CASA being appointed to the case by the judge,
evolves with being involved in the case and closes with the
child being returned or placed in a safe and nurturing home.
- Robert K. "Bert" Gray, Executive Director
- Julie Kierbs, Program Director
- Jan Kahila, Advocate Supervisor/Trainer
- Karen Yepsen, Advocate Supervisor
- Bill Turner - President
- Ashley Littrell - Vice President
- Dennis Trump - Treasurer
- Hon. Ted Paine - Secretary
- Pam Burkhart
- Robin Colby
- Robert Luther
- Linda Zinn
