CASA of West Central Illinois Expands Services to Fulton County to Advocate for More Children in Need

By - Kelly Price, Executive Director CASA of West Central Illinois

CASA of West Central Illinois, a nonprofit organization that recruits and trains Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for children who have experienced abuse or neglect, is expanding its services to Fulton County. This growth will allow more children in the foster care system to have a dedicated advocate ensuring their voices are heard in court and their best interests are represented. CASA of West Central Illinois also serves children in Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren Counties.

“Every child deserves to feel safe, supported, and heard,” said Kelly Price, Executive Director of CASA of West Central Illinois. “Expanding into Fulton County means that children in this community will now have a CASA volunteer by their side—someone committed to standing up for their needs and helping them find a safe, permanent home.”

The expansion was made possible through a DCFS Expansion grant through Illinois CASA and represents a critical step in addressing the need for child advocacy in Fulton County. As of August 31st, 110 children were in foster care in Fulton County. With CASA services now available, judges will be able to assign trained CASA volunteers to these children’s cases.

CASA volunteers are community members who undergo specialized training to serve as the eyes and ears of the court. They build trusted relationships with children, gather information from those involved in the child’s life, and provide detailed reports and recommendations to judges. Studies show that children with CASA volunteers are more likely to succeed in school, receive needed services, and find safe, permanent homes more quickly.

CASA of West Central Illinois is actively recruiting volunteers in Fulton County to meet the growing need. More volunteers are also needed in Henderson, Knox, McDonough and Warren counties to provide each child a voice in court. No legal background is required—just a commitment to making a difference in a child’s life. Volunteers must be over 21 years old, have transportation, can commit to volunteering on average five hours per month for at least one year, complete a 30-hour pre-service training course, and pass a background check and fingerprinting.

For more information about becoming a CASA volunteer or supporting this expansion, visit www.casaofwestcentralillinois.org or contact Kelly Price at 309.343.4299 or kprice@casaofwci.org.