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Friday, August 18, 2006
Ind. Courts - Indiana is the first state to receive CASA certification
A release from the Office of the Chief Justice:
The Indiana State Office of Guardian as Litem/Court Appointed Special Advocate (GAL/CASA) has been awarded certification by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. Indiana is the first state in the nation to receive this certification, which recognizes that the Indiana State Office of GAL/CASA meets National CASA’s high standards for program operations and management.The Indiana State Office of GAL/CASA, which was started in 1990, certifies and provides training and support to local GAL/CASA programs in 67 Indiana counties. The local GAL/CASA programs provide trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court, helping to ensure children’s needs are met while they are in foster care and that these children have a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible. Indiana has one of the largest networks of GAL/CASA programs in the nation. Indiana volunteers spoke for 10,883 abused and neglected children in cases in 2005; nonetheless, thousands of children are still waiting for a volunteer.
The Indiana Supreme Court Division of State Court Administration operates the State Office of GAL/CASA. Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard and the Supreme Court have strongly supported and encouraged the Indiana GAL/CASA programs in their efforts to promote quality advocacy for children.
Chief Justice Shepard noted that, “Indiana has been a leader in promoting quality assurance of local GAL/CASA programs and is now setting the standard on a national basis for the certification of state GAL/CASA entities. We are proud to be leaders in encouraging quality advocacy for abused and neglected children.”
According to Michael Piraino, CEO of the National CASA Association, “The National CASA quality assurance process is very rigorous and reflects our commitment to ensure all children we serve have the most powerful volunteer advocates working on their behalf.”
Leslie Dunn, the Indiana’s Director of GAL/CASA noted that, “The certification of the Indiana State Office demonstrates the Indiana Supreme Court has a strong commitment to provide effective advocacy for abused and neglected children within the state.”
For more information about GAL/CASA programs or to volunteer, contact the Indiana State Office of GAL/CASA at 1-800-542-0813 or www.in.gov/judiciary/galcasa.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on August 18, 2006 09:33 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts