Officials Looking to Raise Awareness of Adoption Process

Across the country, thousands of kids in foster care are waiting for forever families. Each year, courts celebrate National Adoption Day to raise awareness.

Last week, Starke Circuit Court opened four of its adoption hearings to the public. Judge Kim Hall says it’s the only time of the year the Indiana Supreme Court allows video and photography in the courtroom.

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Looking for More Ways to Help Out Local Kids? Attend Starke County CASA’s Training Course This Spring

There is still time to register for the spring session of Starke County CASA training for anyone interested in being the voice for a local child in need.

A “CASA” or a Court Appointed Special Advocate works with local children who have had abuse or neglect reported to the authorities. Starke County CASA Director Rhonda Adcock has been a CASA volunteer for 10 years and has served as Starke County’s director for 8 years.

Adcock reported that since becoming the director, she’s seen the number of cases in the county triple. While they have seen in increase in the amount of volunteers over the last few years, Adcock said this next class will be very important in helping eliminate the CASA waiting list in Starke County. Continue reading

Starke County CASA Volunteers Needed

 

Volunteers are needed in Starke County to shepherd abused and neglected children through the court system. Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASAs for short, represent the best interests of children in state custody during all of their court proceedings. Their recommendations carry a lot of weight when it comes to determining a permanent placement for youngsters. Continue reading

Sign up Now to be a CASA Volunteer

 

Applications are now being accepted for training this fall for volunteers wanting to be part of the Starke County Court Appointed Special Advocate program, or CASA.

CASA volunteers work to help abused and neglected children find safe, permanent homes after they are taken from their primary homes and placed into temporary foster care. Every advocate is trained to be a voice for children’s best interest.

There are more and more children that need your help in Starke County.

If you are interested in being a volunteer, the beginning of the fall training class has been scheduled for Aug. 27. Call (574) 772-7200 for more information or email starkecountycasa@yahoo.com. The deadline to apply for this training is Aug. 6.

New CASA Volunteers Sworn into Service

Judge Kim Hall swore in new CASA members Rebecca Berg, Patricia Camp, Katlyn Foust, and John Wampler.
Judge Kim Hall swore in new CASA members Rebecca Berg, Patricia Camp, Katlyn Foust, and John Wampler.

Four new Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, members were sworn into service by Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall in a special ceremony Tuesday.

Katlyn Foust, Patricia Camp, Rebecca Berg, John Wampler each completed 30 hours of classroom training plus an hour of observing cases. They all passed four separate background checks, including a federal fingerprint search.

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