CASA continues working for kids, as needs grow; county budget request made

YORK COUNTY – York County Court Appointed Special Advocacy (CASA) continues to work for abused and neglected children in the York County Court System, while the need for such advocacy continues to grow.

​Elizabeth Hain, director of York County CASA, and Jane Jensen, York County CASA board president, appeared before the York County Commissioners this past week to discuss the agency’s work in the last year as well as make the annual budget request.
The need for CASA volunteers continues to grow as the number of children in the local court system continues to grow. Hain said back in 2019, the number of abused/neglected kids in the court system was 31. In 2020, it was 40. In 2021, the number was 48. That figure jumped to 67 in 2022. And in 2023, the number became 87.
Meanwhile, the number of court appointed advocates – the volunteer adults who work on behalf of the children – has remained between 16 and 19 over the past few years.
“We had a record-breaking year last year in that we had 87 children in the court system and we were able to serve 43,” Hain said. “Our active number of volunteers is now at 19, which is amazing. But it is disappointing to see an uptick in the number of the children in the system.”
While a record number of kids were served by CASAs in 2023, there were still 44 kids who were without a CASA volunteer.
“In all of CASA for York County’s history, we have not seen a calendar year with more abused and neglected children than 2023,” Hain said. “While we are saddened by the increasing trend of children in need, with support of our incredible donors, we are hopeful our efforts will continue to be reflected in the growing number of children served.”
CASA volunteers work with specific children throughout the duration of their court system experience, working with guardian ad litem attorneys, law enforcement, counselors, Health and Human Services, attorneys, judges, etc. They serve as the voices of the children, as they are only there to make sure the children’s voices are heard and their best interests are met.
“Nearly 75% of these abused and neglected children are under the age of 12,” Hain said. “Although all children and youth should have someone to advocate for them, it is our youngest, most vulnerable children who especially need someone to speak for them. Making sure they are safe and all their needs are being met; that’s what our CASA volunteer advocates do. They meet with the children, visit with case managers, parents, teachers, attorneys, foster parents, daycare providers, therapists and many others. They attend team meetings and write court reports to update the judge regarding the children’s situation. CASA volunteer advocates make recommendations based on what is in the child’s best interest to ensure the children are safe and their needs for permanency are being pursued. Our volunteers are committed to the well-being of the children they serve.”
Hain said the success of the CASA program is well documented. “Both national statistics and the State of Nebraska verify a child served by a CASA spends on average eight fewer months in out-of-home care than a foster child without a CASA. Children without CASA volunteers reenter the system at a rate of 16%, whereas recidivism for children served by a CASA is an astonishing low 1.4-9%. Newer independent data from 2023 shows children without a CASA have an average of 6.6 placements over the life of their case, while a child with a CASA has less than four placements.”
In 2023, CASA for York County saw 828 volunteer hours; 10 children who achieved permanency; 105 visits with children; nine community presentations provided by staff; 1,033 case contacts on behalf of children; 102 continuing training hours by volunteers; 2,501 miles driven by volunteers; and 54 case reports.
“An independent cost-benefit analysis from 2023 shows that CASA provides a 600% return on investment,” Hain shared with the county board members. “This is a huge benefit to the children and families we serve, a demonstration of our financial prudence and further evidence that our work saves the county, state and individual taxpayers’ money.”
All of the CASAs and board members are volunteers. They work to secure outside funding through fundraising, individual donations and of course, Hain works diligently to secure grants.
“This year we are asking for the same amount we requested and received last year, which was $43,000,” Hain said.
CASA also receives the in-kind contribution from the county of office space in the courthouse.
“It is incredibly convenient for us to have an office in the courthouse, so we are close to the courtrooms and different departments,” Hain said further.
“We have very dedicated and long-term board members who work hard to keep a lean budget,” Jensen said to the county board members. “We couldn’t do it without you guys. CASA volunteers meeting with guardian ad litem attorneys creates savings for the county and the kids are better served. The judge also appreciates the CASA reports.”
“One funding challenge we are facing is that we are at the conclusion of the Terpstra Foundation,” Hain said. “We have been receiving $17,000 a year. But the money from the Terpstra Foundation has now been used so that will be ending. We are looking to do more fundraising and we’ve made some cuts to save funds.”
York County Commissioner Randy Obermier asked them to provide their budget, to include the in-kind contribution the county makes regarding office space, which Hain said she would provide.
The commissioners will consider the request during the budget process.