Erie County CASA Program

Check out our new website. It has been a long time coming. :)

Home : Erie County CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates® (CASA) are community volunteers, just like you, who stand up and speak out to help abused and neglected children.

We had a productive day at the United Way 2025 Funding Application meeting, working to mobilize our community into action so that all can thrive.

Do you have a heart for children and want to see them thrive? The Erie County CASA Program is now accepting applications for our upcoming training. Be the voice or hope for an abused or neglected child. Become a CASA volunteer. For more information call 419-621-0324 or go to www.eriecountycasaprogram.com

The Erie County CASA Program would like to thank Cindy Jones and CDM Service Group for their employee match contribution of $500.00. Thank you for your continued support of our efforts.

We are learning and connecting with other CASA agency volunteers and staff at the Ohio CASA "Celebrate Kids" state conference in Columbus.

AUGUST 2024 OHIO CASA RECAP ⤵️

programs across Ohio served around 5,500 children experiencing abuse and neglect. About 14% of those youth were 16 and older.

CASA volunteers are community members from all walks of life. Learn more: ohiocasa.org/our-mission

OhioKAN Kinship & Adoption Navigator OhioKAN is a new statewide program designed to help kinship and adoptive families navigate and connect with all available resources, locally and statewide.

A nice write up on the great work Anita and her volunteers do at Care & Share. We are so blessed in this community with a wealth of agencies like Care & Share serving our citizens.

Feeding the soul: As Care & Share of Erie County celebrates 50 years of fighting food insecurity, it sees increasing demand and a need for a new generation of volunteers.

What a great day it was for our CASA Goofy Golf Scramble! We were blessed with beautiful weather. Thank you to Goofy Golf for hosting our event and Pizza House East for the delicious pizzas. Special thanks to our corporate and hole sponsorship for making the event possible. Thank you to St Peter Paul of Sandusky for all the donated school supplies. ♥️♥️♥️

The Erie County CASA Program would like to thank CDM Service Group for their corporate sponsorship for our upcoming Goofy Golf Scramble this Sunday, September 8th at 10:00. CDM has chosen to sponsor a team of foster care kiddos to play in the event. There is still time to create a team of up to five players. For more information call 419-621-0324 or email [email protected].

For children in the child welfare system, pursuing childhood activities can seem impossible because of frequent moves and resource challenges. CASA/GAL volunteers can inform the court when a child has special interests and help remove barriers to participating in extracurricular activities. Learn how you can become a CASA/GAL volunteer by visiting www.eriecountycasaprogram.com or call 419-621-0324

Happy Labor Day!

The Erie County CASA Program would like to thank the McGinley family and CASA Volunteer John Poole for their hole sponsorship for upcoming CASA Goofy Golf Scramble on September 8th. There is only a few days left to become a corporate or hole sponsor. For more information please call 419-621-0324.

The Erie County CASA Program would like to thank Central Automotive for their hole sponsorship for our upcoming CASA Goofy Golf Scramble on September 8th. There is still time to become a corporate or hole sponsor. Just call 419-621-0324 for more information.

The Erie County CASA Program would like to welcome our newest CASA volunteers sworn in to the Erie County Court of Common Pleas. We also had a nice meet and greet after to introduce them to the board and veteran volunteers.

Every child deserves access to quality education. Understanding the impact of trauma helps create supportive classroom environments and fosters resilience. CASA/GAL volunteers advocate for the educational needs of children and youth in the child welfare system. Learn more about becoming a CASA or GAL volunteer at www.eriecountycasaprogram.com or call 419-621-0324.

Help your child feel their best on their first day back.🎒

Are you willing to provide a powerful voice in court on behalf of an abused or neglect child? The Erie County CASA Program is now accepting applications for our September training. For a packet of information, please call 419-621-0324 or go to www.eriecountycasaprogram.com for an application. Be the voice that brings a child safely home.

The Erie County CASA Program would like to thank Murray & Murray for their corporate sponsorship for CASA's upcoming Goofy Golf Scramble on September 8th. For more information on becoming a corporate or hole sponsor call 419-621-0324.

The Erie County CASA Program would like to thank Tropical Smoothie Cafe at 913 Crossings Road, Sandusky, Ohio for their Corporate Sponsorship for our upcoming CASA Goofy Golf Scramble. There is still time to become a sponsor and sponsor a team of foster care children to play in the event. For more information call 419-621-0324.

The Erie County CASA Program would like to thank Linx by Ash Permanent Jewelry for their hole sponsorship for our upcoming CASA Goofy Golf Scramble on September 8th. There is still time to become a corporate or hole sponsor. Just call 419-621-0324 for more information.

**** ANNOUNCEMENT ****

This week, we will be placing our available inventory out for the following items:
--- School Uniforms
--- School Supplies

Stay tuned for updates!!!

HIRING
Erie County CASA Program
Volunteer Coordinator

The Erie County CASA Program is in search of a dynamic, thoughtful, flexible, and persistent individual who is passionate about changing the lives of children in the child welfare system. The ideal candidate will understand the importance of family as well as the impact of trauma; be able to clearly and concisely write and edit documents; and manage their time in order to meet multiple obligations under strict deadlines and National CASA standard compliance and Ohio Revised Codes. CANDIDATES MUST SUBMIT A COVER LETTER WITH SALARY REQUIREMENTS, AS WELL AS A CURRENT RESUME TO BE CONSIDERED. SEND TO [email protected]

Position Title: Volunteer Coordinator

Employment Status: Full Time, Salaried

Reports To: Executive Director

Supervises: A maximum of 30 CASA volunteers active on cases

Position Description:

Provides direct supervision, guidance, and support to court appointed CASA volunteers, ensuring compliance with established regulations and best practices. Assists in recruiting, screening, and training CASA volunteers. Initiates required correspondence related to cases, maintains monthly docket calendar, case records, volunteer files, and complex information to prepare reports as directed by the Executive Director. Strong editing and writing skills, people skills, and ability to manage time efficiently required. Background in child welfare, court system, or legal background preferred. Supervisory experience preferred. Volunteer supervision a plus.

Duties and Essential Job Functions:
Volunteer Supervision

- Evaluates cases and assigns volunteers based on interest, time, skills, and experience to ensure the best outcome for the child(ren)
- Works with volunteers in collaborating with Children Services in developing a case plan and monitors progress on achieving the goals of the case plan
- Provides supervision and guidance while monitoring the volunteers’ performance on issues of confidentiality, policy, boundaries, and relationships with other professionals
- Monitors and evaluates each volunteer's investigative and advocacy skills to ensure each child in the program receives the highest quality of services
- Reviews and edits court reports to ensure they are in accordance with established guidelines and criteria, and they are accurate, goal oriented, and submitted in a timely manner
- Assist volunteers in understanding all Children Service documents, medical records, IEPs, visitation plans, and any other provided service to ensure the child’s needs are being met
- Accompanies volunteers to courts hearings and/or meetings as required or requested by the CASA volunteer. If volunteer is unable to attend any hearing or meeting, will attend in the volunteers’ absence
- Reviews issues and progress on cases with each volunteer monthly
- Ensures volunteers conducts face to face contact with each child a minimum of every 30 days, and submits case activity forms and face to face forms by the 15th of the following month
- Ensures each volunteer completes the required in-service hours for continuing education requirements
- Completes and reviews an annual written performance evaluation with each volunteer
- Maintains relationship with all professionals involved in the case to ensure quality of outcomes and a positive reputation in the community
- Acts in the role of the CASA volunteer when one is not available as instructed by the Executive Director

Recruiting, Training and Outreach
- Participates in volunteer screening process, volunteer training, and continuing education programs as required by Rule 48 and National CASA Standards
- Interviews perspective volunteers and makes recommendations as to candidates’ suitability to serve as a CASA volunteer
- Participates in public relations and community education events as directed by the Executive Director
- Maintains professional relationships with external service providers to enhance organization perception and visibility

Data Entry Record Keeping
- Maintains confidential records and case files of active cases
- Enter information to CASA Manager database and ensures information is current and updated regularly
- Manually files pertinent documents in volunteers’ personnel files
- Enters volunteer information including case history, performance evaluations, status updates, changes in personnel information, and other relevant information in CASA Manager database
- Compiles volunteers’ case hours, visits, and contacts, and prepares monthly reports as directed by the Executive Director
- Compiles information for other reporting requirements as directed by the Executive Director

Other:
- Remains current on changes in National CASA standards, child welfare Federal and State laws, and DJFS mandates and policies
- Participates in a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education regarding the development, emotional, educational and social needs of children and issues effecting families within the required Rule 48 and National CASA standards
- Remains knowledgeable of applicable state and county service providers and services
- Represents CASA in a professional manner
- Completes all tasks within proscribed timelines, as set forth by the Executive Director
- Performs tasks to promote the smooth operation of office activities

Qualifications, Skills, and Attributes
- B.A., or B.S. required, advanced education, experience, and or training preferred
- Experience in professional and/or volunteer staff supervision preferred
- Ability to establish and maintain a rapport with volunteers to ensure they remain motivated and committed, feel supported, and to promote retention
- Ability to manage multiple projects at once
- Ability to meet timelines and deadlines
- Attention to detail
- Demonstrated written and editorial skills
- Cultural sensitivity
- Commitment to child welfare and an understanding of the complexities of the system
- Must possess excellent analytical skills
- Computer proficiency
- Availability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends when needed (occasionally)

Conditions of Employment
- Pass all background checks required by the CASA program prior to hiring
- Successful completion of pre-service training curriculum