CASA History

The Court Appointed Special Advocate concept began in Seattle, Washington, during the early 1970's. There is now some version of the program in every state. Programs operate in many different ways: volunteer model, attorney assignment, contract staff. There are 68 counties of the total 92 counties in the state of Indiana offering a CASA program.

The Vanderburgh County CASA program was established in 1984. Judge Robert Lensing, the Juvenile Court Judge (the current Juvenile Court Judge is Brett Niemeier), asked a community task force to study the issue of need for child-centered advocacy in his court. The group recommended the creation of such a program after much study and deliberation.

Since July 1984, the program has served more than 2500 children who are adjudicated CHINS(Children In Need of Services) by the local juvenile system. These are all physically or sexually abused, neglected, or abandoned children who range in age from birth to eighteen years. In very special cases, the wardship may extend beyond age eighteen if the child has not completed his/her education. There is currently 240 children waiting for an advocate.

It is important to know that the state legislature has provided empowering laws that give these programs the authority to operate. For example, juvenile proceedings are ordinarily closed to public inspection. CASA volunteer advocates are allowed to review any and all records (including medical) that pertain to their child's case.

Vanderburgh County CASA, Inc is a not-for-profit organization which is governed by a board of directors. The program has broad-based community financial support which comes from: United Way, Vanderburgh County Superior Court-Juvenile Division, State CASA, Grants and individual donors. If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution, please make your check payable to:

Vanderburgh County CASA, Inc.,

and mail it to:

312 N. W. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Suite #110
Evansville, IN 47708