Ohio CASA

Marking 35 years of Ohio CASA!

In 1989, local CASA program directors established the Ohio CASA/GAL Association. Since, we have been honored to develop community connections and a growing Ohio CASA Network.

This work would not be possible without the support of state partners, lawmakers, juvenile court judges and local CASA programs. Thank you!

Ohio CASA marks 35-year anniversary - Ohio CASA Looking back on the history of CASA in Ohio and 35 years of impact at the state level

Have you registered yet? 📝

Hundreds of CASA volunteers, attorneys & child welfare advocates have already signed up to attend ! We hope to see you there.

To register and find all the Celebrate Kids! Conference information you need, visit: https://ohiocasa.org/2024-celebrate-kids-conference/

JUNE 2024 RECAP ⤵️

programs across Ohio served 5,300+ children experiencing abuse and neglect. About 10% of those youth were 16 and 17-years-old.

You can learn more about the impact made every day by CASA volunteers in Ohio here: ohiocasa.org/our-mission

Congratulations to Ohio CASA Board Member Heather Ulrey who was recently sworn in as a new COTA Board Trustee! She will serve on their governing board.

Heather continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to the community. You can read more about her background and work with CASA here:

New member Heather Ulrey brings CASA, foster care and wide range of experience to Ohio CASA Board - Ohio CASA The Ohio CASA Network welcomes Ulrey, who’s first term on the board will last through 2027

Talking with the community! 📚

Greene County CASA volunteers and staff recently took part in a special book reading and CASA recruitment event at the Yellow Springs Library. Volunteers and community members had a discussion with author Stephanie Clare Smith.

Information was also shared about becoming a CASA volunteer! What a great effort.

In case you missed it!

Tina Husted, Ohio CASA Board Member and Ohio’s Second Lady, threw out the first pitch at a recent Cleveland Guardians game on behalf of Ohio CASA.

Read about the special honor here ⤵️

Ohio’s Second Lady Tina Husted throws out first pitch at Cleveland Guardians game on behalf of CASA - Ohio CASA Husted, an Ohio CASA Board member, threw pitch to spread awareness about volunteers during “CASA Day” game at Progressive Field

Registration is open! 🎉

Ohio CASA is excited to announce that registration for our 29th Annual Celebrate Kids! Conference September 25 - 27 is officially open. Will we see you there?

Click here to register, find important parking + hotel information and much more: https://ohiocasa.org/2024-celebrate-kids-conference/

Check out all of our photos from ! ⚾️⚾️

Thank you to all who joined us and worked to spread the word about CASA. This continues to be a positive way to show appreciation for volunteers and staff + raise awareness about CASA in the community. Thank you Dayton Dragons Professional Baseball Team staff for your kindness!

UP NEXT ⚾️ we will come together at a Southern Ohio Copperheads game!

What a great group here at 🔵🔴

CASA programs from counties across the state are joining us to spread the word about CASA with the community. Thank you volunteers for all you do!

We are back at the ballpark! CASA Day at the Dayton Dragons Professional Baseball Team is here ⚾️

We are excited to continue our campaign here in Dayton! 🔴🔵 Ohio CASA is working with baseball teams across Ohio to host “CASA Day” games all summer.

This is a special opportunity to highlight the work of CASA volunteers + show appreciation for volunteers and staff from across Ohio. Follow along with us today and all summer!

CASA in the news 📺📰

Local programs and Ohio CASA made headlines throughout Spring 2024. Check out these articles and interviews that highlight the work of volunteers, community events and more:

Spring 2024: Local programs, Ohio CASA in the news - Ohio CASA From training new CASA volunteers to hosting community events, CASA programs across Ohio were in the news throughout the Spring season of 2024.

"There's a great need. I've always been passionate about helping children/teens succeed in life. If I can be one who brings hope into their life — some assurance, even just a smile — I want to do that."

📰 The work of CASA STAR Association Inc-Supporting CASA in Stark and Carroll Counties was recently highlighted in The Canton Repository / CantonRep.com.

Check out what their team had to say about CASA volunteer work:

Court Appointed Special Advocates program helps abused, neglected kids in Stark, Carroll The Court Appointed Special Advocates program has 35 volunteers who serve as the voice for children when their cases go to court.

Ohio CASA staff was honored to take part in the recent “Leadership and Life Skills Summit.”

Youth who have experienced foster care were provided with opportunities to learn life and leadership skills, as well as build peer connections. Ohio Department of Children and Youth, Ohio Children's Alliance, ACTION Ohio and foster care advocates helped make this all possible.

Read more here: https://ohiocasa.org/ohio-casa-joins-current-and-former-foster-youth-state-partners-for-leadership-and-life-skills-summit/

Check out all the photos and fun from our game! 🔴🔵

Thank you to all who attended and helped spread the word about CASA. What a special way to show appreciation for volunteers + raise awareness about CASA in the community. Thank you Cleveland Guardians staff for your support!

UP NEXT ⚾️ Dayton Dragons!

First pitch for ! ⚾️

Ohio’s Second Lady and Ohio CASA Board Member Tina Husted threw out the first pitch at the Cleveland Guardians game on behalf of CASA in Ohio! What a great pitch and special way to highlight CASA 🔵🔴

CASA Day at the Cleveland Guardians is here! ⚾️

We are excited to continue our summer campaign here in sunny Cleveland! 🔴🔵 Ohio CASA is working with baseball teams across Ohio to host “CASA Day” games all summer 2024! This is a unique opportunity to show appreciation for volunteers and staff + spread the word about CASA with the community.

Programs from across the state are coming together. Follow along with us today and all summer!

Coming together for ! 🏍️

What an amazing turn out at the first ever Kilts for CASA Kids event benefiting CASA of Portage County! The CASA of Portage County Associate Board team put on a full day of meaningful events - including a biker run, spaghetti dinner and more - designed to spread the word about CASA.

Ohio CASA staff was honored to meet so many dedicated volunteers + CASA supporters.

Check out all the photos from our game! ⚾️

What a special opportunity to thank volunteers and share the word about CASA with the community. Thank you to all who attended and for the wonderful support from Cincinnati Reds staff!

UP NEXT 🔴🔵 Cleveland Guardians!

All smiles at ! ⚾️🔴🔵

Volunteers and supporters from CASA programs across Ohio are here at our first game with the Cincinnati Reds! It’s been a great opportunity so far to thank volunteers, build connections and share the word about CASA.

CASA Day at the Cincinnati Reds is here! ⚾️

This kicks off our summer campaign 🔴🔵 Ohio CASA is working with baseball teams across Ohio to host “CASA Day” games all summer 2024! CASA programs from across the state will gather at ballparks to show appreciation for volunteers and staff + spread the word about CASA with the community.

Follow along with us today and all summer!

What a special day at the official Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Ceremony for the new ProKids space in Downtown Cincinnati!

Hundreds of community members, CASA volunteers and area leaders came together to tour the new space and reaffirm the commitment to helping children in need.

June is Pride Month - a time when we recognize the resilience and courage of LGBTQ+ youth navigating the foster care system.

Looking to expand your knowledge this Pride Month? Ohio CASA offers a series of free trainings - like this one led by Kaleidoscope Youth Center:

The Gender Unicorn: Gender & Sexuality 101 - Ohio CASA Faculty

CASA IN OHIO FACTS 💡

In May 2024, programs across Ohio served about 6,000 children experiencing abuse and neglect. Over 30% of those children were between 6 and 11-years-old.

You can learn more and support our mission here: ohiocasa.org/our-mission

This week program directors, staff members and Ohio CASA staff came together in Columbus. It was an important opportunity to share the latest child welfare information, build connections and share feedback.

CASA teams from across the state joined us. In Ohio, there are currently 47 CASA programs that serve children experiencing abuse and neglect in 60 different counties.

Thank you to everyone who took part in this important work session!

What would you want people to know about ? 🔵🔴

It is a question our team often asks volunteers across Ohio! Here is what Darke County Casa, Inc. volunteer Mara Farmer told us:

"The training was eye-opening. Very thorough, lots of information, very eye-opening in a good way. If you have an opportunity...and if you want to see your community be better, definitely talk to somebody about stepping forward and volunteering with CASA."
..What would you want the community to know about being a CASA volunteer?

Ohio CASA is excited to announce a new effort: Tuesday Trainings.

Thanks in part to the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, eligible Ohio attorneys can obtain two hours of free, required CLE credits per virtual training session.

Learn more and register here:

Ohio CASA launches “Tuesday Trainings” effort to further juvenile court education  - Ohio CASA Virtual trainings allow Ohio attorneys to obtain two hours of free, required CLE credits per session  

This weekend the Ohio CASA Network was represented at The Savannah Bananas games at Huntington Park! 🔵🟡 The team's Bananas Foster charity spreads the word about foster care - encouraging the community to step up as a foster family or a volunteer! Foster families were highlighted all weekend.

What a special way to share the word about and promote the importance of helping youth in the foster care system. You can make an impact as a CASA volunteer today! Thank you to all who showed their support as part of this special experience.

A fun day at the ballpark - for a good cause!

Join Ohio CASA & volunteers from across the state at an upcoming Cincinnati Reds vs. Cleveland Guardians game June 12th!

PLEASE SHARE! ⚾️ By buying a ticket, you can help support the work of CASA volunteers who advocate for children in need:

Ohio CASA Day at the Reds 6/12/24 @ 7:10 PM - Ohio CASA

CASA IN OHIO FACTS 💡

In November, CASA programs across Ohio served more than 5,600 children experiencing abuse or neglect.

The majority of these children served were 11-years-old and younger.

You can make an impact in multiple ways: ohiocasa.org/our-mission