The Lake County CASA Program

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained and specialized advocate that represents the best interests of abused and neglected children. In Lake County, CASA advocates represent children who have court involvement with the Department of Child Services through a Child in Need of Services (CHINS) case. The CASA is one of the three legal parties in the court proceedings regarding the child.

The Lake County CASA Program's mission is to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children; ensuring that all children will have a safe, permanent, and nurturing home by providing each child a professional level of advocacy throughout their involvement in the child welfare system.

Simply put, a CASA serves as the voice of the child and the eyes and ears of the court. A CASA advocate specializes in establishing what is in the best interest of the child. The advocate will talk with the child, parents, social workers, teachers, medical providers, foster parents, and others who know the child. After gathering the information, the CASA makes recommendations to the court on things including, but not limited to, the child’s placement, medical care, schooling, counseling, and visitation. These recommendations assist the Court in making its rulings.

Lake County CASA utilizes trained community volunteers to assist us in our mission to serve all of our local children. Our volunteers are an integral part of the success of the Lake County CASA Program. Lake County is required by Indiana statutes to provide abused and neglected children with best interest representation in juvenile court. As a result, every child involved in a CHINS case is appointed a CASA to advocate in their best interests.