​​Crawford County casa

COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES

Larry Dickson - Vice President

    OUR History

Diane Patton - President

Dr. Salene Cowher

Jim Babcock - Treasurer

Francis Schultz

Neil Fratus

Chief Sheriff, Crawford County

Paula DiGiacomo - Secretary

Frances Kennedy

Penny Linsted

Gabrielle Pierce

MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEMBERS:

OFFICERS:

October 1991: Local foster parents attended a PA conference regarding permanency for children;

February 1993 - Three foster parents, the CYS Director, other human services agencies directors, and the Erie Co. CASA Director presented the CASA concept to retired Judge Gordon Miller, who gave his support and the go-ahead to proceed;

September 1993 - A permanent founding Board of Directors was established;

November 1993 - The 1st class of CASA volunteers were trained and sworn-in;

June 1995 - A National CASA Association start-up grant was secured to fund the program for two years;

2017 - More than twenty years later Crawford County CASA remains committed to serving the most vulnerable population: abused and neglected children.

The Issue:
Each year, children are placed into foster or kinship care. Sometimes they are often separated from their siblings and caught up in a confusing and complicated system of social workers, foster homes, courts, service agencies and child welfare departments.  Sadly, most of them must do the best they can to navigate this complex world without a dependable, consistent adult presence to help.  Too many remain without permanent homes, fail to graduate from high school, and end up homeless, unemployed, incarcerated or dependent on social and welfare systems as adults.

The Solution:
In 2017, 13 Crawford County CASA volunteers advocated for 23 children, donating close to a 1,000 hours, attending 46 court hearings and attending 49 meetings.  CASA helps these children by recruiting and training volunteers to provide a voice for those who do not have the ability to speak up for themselves in this convoluted process. Without an Advocate, abused children are more likely to fall through the cracks of an overburdened system.  CASA volunteers stay with their case until it is closed, an average of 33 months locally, showing their commitment to place the child in a safe, permanent home.  For many abused and neglected children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence that stays with them until they have a safe, permanent home  CASA volunteers are only assigned to the most difficult cases, leaving the needs of many unmet. 

Economic Impact:
CASA’s solution is a winning equation for children but also the taxpaying public.  Abuse and neglect cost taxpayers $104 Billion each year.  Every dollar spent on a CASA volunteer saves at least $27 in taxpayer money. CASA is one of the few success stories where the private sector the public sector and the incredible people-power of 70,000 volunteers has come together to effect real and lasting change.