ABOUT US
At CASA of Scott County, we are passionate about making sure that every foster child in our community has the care and support they need.
OUR STAFF:
Kelly Shelhamer
Executive Director
Scott McDill and Allison Snyder
Volunteer Coordinators
Ken Davis
Recruiter/Trainer
Paula Kern and Melody Terry
Staff Advocates
Natalie Williamson
Contract Attorney
- Kelly Shelhamer, Executive Director
Over the last 8 years, I have seen the program expand from serving under 100 of the 300 children in foster care from Scott County in 2016, to serving all the children in foster care from Scott County in 2021 and beyond. We are currently the voice for 122 abused and neglected children in court to help them find permanency.
WHAT IS CASA?
A CASA is a volunteer who serves as the advocate for a child who has experienced abuse or neglect. A CASA is appointed to a child when a judge in Scott County decides the court’s ongoing intervention is required to keep a child safe.
As you can imagine, this is a scary, vulnerable, and complicated time in a child’s life.
Our volunteers get to know each child, check in on them regularly, and speak up for them during court sessions, meetings, and appointments. Each CASA volunteer supports and cares for one child throughout their time in foster care.
What is a Court Appointed Special Advocate?
BRIGHTER FUTURES AND STRONGER COMMUNITIES
According to the National CASA/GAL Association for Children, children who have experienced abuse or neglect fare better with a CASA/GAL volunteer by their side. Studies have shown:
more likely
to find a safe, permanent home
THEY ARE
more likely
to succeed in school
.png)
THEY ARE
THEY ARE
half as likely
to re-enter the foster care system
.png)
LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A CASA VOLUNEER
CURRENT GRANTS
As a 501c3 Organization, CASA of Scott County operates through donations and grants.
2022-2024 VOCA The VOCA or Victims of Crime Act Grant for 2022-2024 allows us to maintain 3 staff. There are 2 Volunteer Coordinator's who supervise our volunteers on children's case and 1 Staff Advocate that works directly with the abused/neglected children on this grant.
SCOTT COUNTY UNITED WAY GRANT Scott County United Way has been a long time supporter to CASA of Scott County, INC. This year the grant helps us to cover part of the Admin.Assistant/Staff Advocate position, remainer of the Recruiter/Trainer position, and a portion of the monthly rent.
STATE/COUNTY MATCHING AND CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT This state/county grant combines to enable the program to be maintained by the Executive Director and to partially fund the Recruiter/Trainer for the volunteers. With out these two positions, there would not be a program. We are based with the ideals that volunteers drive the program by committing to gather information regarding the children we serve and report that back to the court with recommendation that are in the child's best interest.
SCOTT COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT We have been very blessed to receive a grant from the Scott County Community Foundation for 2023. This grant is for operating expenses and helps us to cover partial funding for the three staff and partial monthly rent.
WELLNESS STATE GRANT This grant is to aid us in maintaining one of the two Staff Advocates position to help us serve children who would otherwise be with out a CASA assigned to their case.
LILLY ENDOWMENT CASA of Scott County, INC. has received a grant of $288,330 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to help serve the abused and neglected children of Scott County by advocating for what is in the child’s best interest at court. The program is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s initiative, Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana. The aim of the competitive initiative is to help youth-serving organizations working throughout Indiana improve their abilities to promote the academic, physical and social well-being of young people, ages five through 18. The Strengthening Youth Programs in Indiana grant will help CASA with the cost of the Recruiter/Trainer to increase and train our volunteer base, one staff advocate to cover the service to the children the volunteers are not able, and the administrative assistant/staff advocate to help cover the children the volunteers are not able and to manage the court documents in our computer system for all children’s cases. In addition to staffing needs, CASA will also utilize the grant to better equip the office space and training needs for the staff and help to keep our current office space that is conveniently located on the square across the street from the courthouse. This grant will enable us to best serve the children and keep our work confidential.