Summit County CASA/GAL

OUR MISSION:

To provide every child who enters the court system as a result of allegations of abuse, neglect or dependency with a trained community volunteer to advocate for what is the child's "best interest."

Thank you for expressing interest in volunteering for the Summit County CASA/GAL program! As you may know, CASA trains volunteers from the community to be the voice for abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system. I look forward to working with you and are thrilled you have considered dedicating time and energy to this worthy cause.

CASA is a national non-profit program that exists in all 50 states and about 45 counties inOhio. The Summit County CASA program is the largest inOhioand supports over 200 child advocate volunteers. Volunteers with CASA are appointed by the Juvenile Court to be Guardians Ad Litem (GAL’s or guardians for the purpose of legal proceeding) for abused and neglected children. These are children in the court system through no fault of their own, but due to allegations of abuse or neglect against their parent(s). CASA volunteers visit with the children on their case, get to know the children’s situation, and actually attend court hearings to make recommendations about custody, placement, and services from which the child could benefit. CASA volunteers provide a voice for this very vulnerable population, and help ensure these children find a safe and permanent home as soon as possible.