The Starke County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is recruiting its next group of volunteers. CASAs help guide abused and neglected kids through the court system.
Judge Hall Swears in 13 New CASA Volunteers
Starke County has 13 new Court Appointed Special Advocates ready to shepherd abused and neglected children through the legal system. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall yesterday swore in the 13 newest graduates of the CASA volunteer training and applauded them for their willingness to step up and do something out of their comfort zone.
Starke County CASA Volunteer Shares Her Insights
A longtime Starke County CASA volunteer says working with abused and neglected youngsters has changed her life. Ivyl Wallace first learned of the Court Appointed Special Advocates program when she saw a call for volunteers in her church bulletin. From there she kept seeing commercials and decided to heed God’s call. That was 10 years and dozens of cases ago. Continue reading
CASA Director Explains What Makes a Good Child Advocate
The Starke County CASA program is looking for adults with a passion for helping children to be the voice for abused and neglected youngsters who are trying to navigate the court system. Director Rhonda Adcock says volunteers come from all walks of life but share many similar traits, including a passion to love children and dedication to doing the work necessary to ensure their needs are met. Continue reading
Starke County Council Approves Additional CASA Appropriation
The Starke County Council last week approved an additional appropriation for a program that helps children throughout the community. Rhonda Adcock is the director of Starke County CASA. The acronym stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. Adcock says it’s an arm of Starke Circuit Court, with volunteers who advocate for children who are in family court due to abuse or neglect. Continue reading
Former Foster Child Sworn In as Starke County CASA
Starke County’s newest Court Appointed Special Advocate to help kids at risk of abuse and neglect through the court system is already very familiar with the process. Brianna Fletcher was a foster child herself, not too long ago. Continue reading
Starke County CASA Program to Start Training Class for New Volunteers
The Starke County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is looking for more volunteers to help abused and neglected kids through the court system. They will be holding a training class for new volunteers starting next month. Continue reading
Starke County CASA Receives National Certification
A program to help abused and neglected kids in Starke County through the court system has gotten national certification. The Starke County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program is made up of volunteers who give of their time to help these children. Continue reading
Starke County CASA Seeks More Volunteers
In Starke County, on average , 27 children who have been abused or neglected are involved in the court system every year. The main goal of a CASA is to ensure the needs of those children are met. CASA stands for court appointed special advocate and the program provides volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children involved in the court system. Starke County CASA is searching for more volunteers for their upcoming training class scheduled to commence August 11. Continue reading
Court Appointed Special Advocates Take Oath of Office
Starke County has three new Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers to shepherd abused and neglected children through the legal system. Circuit Judge Kim Hall administered oaths of office to Eddie Fields, Lori Reading and Patti Scaggs Tuesday in his courtroom. They each completed 30 hours of training as part of the program. CASA volunteers act in the best interest of children who end up in state custody and share information with the judge and attorneys about whether the youngsters should be returned to their parents, remain in foster care or be placed for adoption. Judge Hall says the CASA plays a critical role in the process. Continue reading
National Adoption Day Ceremony Held in Starke Circuit Court
Friday was National Adoption Day, offering a time for courts across the country to raise awareness of children in foster care who are ready and waiting to be adopted. Rhonda Adcock, director of the Starke County CASA program, told the audience assembled in the courtroom of the importance of adoption and the effect it can have on a child eagerly awaiting their “forever” family.
Four Adoptions To Take Place in Circuit Court Today Open To Public
Today is a special day for four families in Starke County as Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall will be finalizing adoptions for those families.
A ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. CT today when the public is invited to listen to several speakers concerning adoptions. At 1:30 p.m., the adoption hearings will begin. WKVI will be there to witness the adoptions as the Indiana Supreme Court has allowed the proceedings to be covered by the media when they are usually closed to the public.
National Adoption Day Saturday; Adoption Celebration Planned Friday
National Adoption Day will be celebrated nationwide on Saturday, but a local celebration is set for Friday in the Starke County Courthouse.
Starke County CASA Director Rhonda Adcock explains the day’s festivities.
New CASA Director Named
Judge Kim Hall has named a new CASA Director for Starke County. The new director will be assuming the duties held for the past four years by Ron Henningsmith.
“Rhonda Adcock has been a CASA volunteer with our program for just over a year now and she’s a very capable young lady,” said Henningsmith. “I decided that I need to step aside and let someone else take the reigns at the helm and she has gracefully accepted that challenge.”
Bella Vita Pledge Walk Gathers $6,300
The recent Bella Vita pledge walk at Wythogan Park in Knox helped raise $6,385 for the new pregnancy resource center located on Heaton Street.
Rhonda Adcock, President of the organization talked to us about the day.
“We had a really good cross section of our community there,” said Adcock. “We were able to get 88 walkers and we had about 120 people in attendance with all of our helpers and our board members and everyone that was there. We had a great financial turnout and we were able to have the Mayor come and be our Marshall for the walk.”
Bella Vita Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Held Thursday
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held yesterday at the recently opened Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center in Knox. The Center is located in a home that was owned by Frances Meyers on South Heaton Street.
“I have the honor to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors for Bella Vita Pregnancy Resource Center,” said Rhonda Adcock. “This day, for me, represents a vision that has become a reality. What started out as a desire to just help hurting women came from hearing burdens and stories of others, a vision to have a crisis pregnancy center here in Knox. Starting on the Steering Committee, and now the Board, has given me a front row seat to see that vision become the reality that you see within this house today.”
New CASA Members Sworn into Service
Eight new Court Appointed Special Advocate members were recently sworn into service.
