Agency Details:

Ottawa County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)

As a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) or Guardian ad Litem volunteer, your voice can help the Court in finding a safe permanent home for children where they can thrive.
In 2004, Judge Kathleen L. Giesler partnered with Erie County CASA to bring the volunteer program to Ottawa County. In its first year, 7 volunteers advocated for children in more than 30 abuse, neglect, dependency or delinquency cases here in Ottawa County. In January 2008, Ottawa County CASA became it's own program and now has 14 volunteers and served 72 children in 2007.

Description:
As a child advocate the CASA volunteer has three main responsibilities:

1. To serve as a fact-finder for the Court by completely researching the background of child abuse and neglect cases. The CASA volunteer may do this by reviewing documents and interviewing the child, parents, family members, neighbors, school officials, and doctors.
   
   
2. To speak for the child in the courtroom, focusing exclusively on the child’s best interests. A CASA volunteer provides carefully researched information to help the Judge or Magistrate make decisions.
   
   
3. To continue to monitor the child during the life of the case, helping to insure he or she will be raised in a safe, permanent, and nurturing home.
   
   



Contact person: Kami Sayre, Executive Director, (phone), (email)


Office fax number: (419) 734-6851

Address:


315 Madison Street Port Clinton, OH 43452 (See a map)


Web Site: http://www.ottawacountyjuvenilecourt.com/casa.htm

Last updated on October 14, 2009