Agency Details:

CASA Of Kent County, Inc

CASA of Kent County, Inc - Court Appointed Special Advocates - exists to train and provide an advocate in a court of law for children who have been abused and neglected.

Description:
CASA-Court Appointed Special Advocates- exists to make sure the abuse and neglect these children suffered at home does not continue at the hands of the overburdened family court system. As a trained advocate, a judge appointed CASA volunteer builds a relationship with their assigned child in order to be a voice for that child in court. Volunteers meet regularly with their assigned children, make observations, ask questions, seek information, and constantly advocate for their "CASA kids" in foster homes, at school, and with caseworkers, physicians, therapists, and lawyers. CASA volunteers supplement the work of professionals, often serve as the only constant in very turbulent lives. The ultimate goal is to have each child placed in a safe, permanent, nurturing home where he or she may grow and thrive.

History:
Judge David Soukup of Seattle, Washington first implemented the CASA concept in 1977. As a Judge he felt a compelling need to have more information available to him on which he could base his decisions, most of which had lifetime ramifications for children. Kent County's late Judge John P. Steketee was part of the group of then Juvenile Court Judges who named and initiated the program. Since the conception of the CASA program CASA has grown to include over 900 member programs now in 50 states, the district of Columbia and the Virgin Islands. An estimated 50,000 volunteers are "A Powerful Voice" for approximately 206,950 abused and neglected children nationwide. The National CASA Association has been established to provide leadership and lend technical support to new and existing programs. CASA of Kent County, Inc. adheres to the program guidelines and standards established by the National CASA Association.

Contact people:

Patty Sabin Interim Director, Program Director, (phone), (email) Norma Posthumus, Administrative Assistant, (phone), (email) Kari Williams, Supervisor, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (616) 632-5181

Address:

180 Ottawa Ave Ste 3500 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.Casakentco.org

Last updated on May 19, 2009