CASA program continues to serve more children with more advocates, but abuse/neglect cases in York County continue to increase

YORK – York’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program continues to serve more children with more volunteer advocates, which is great news. The unfortunate news is how abuse and neglect cases in York County continue to increase.

​YORK – York’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program continues to serve more children with more volunteer advocates, which is great news. The unfortunate news is how abuse and neglect cases in York County continue to increase.
Elizabeth Hain, CASA director for York County, and Jane Jensen, president of the York County CASA Board of Directors, met with the York County Commissioners this past week, to make their annual report and budget request.
“CASA has been operating in York County for 25 years now,” Hain said, marking the milestone. “What we are most proud of in the last year is how 47 children were served, which is a record number. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of abuse and neglect cases in York County – but as those numbers increase, our efforts increase.”
Twenty-four advocates represented children in the court system last year, which was also a record number for York County. Hain noted two new advocates were recently sworn in and those two people will represent seven children in the court system.
Advocates logged 809 hours of work last year – without pay, because they are all volunteer.
Seventeen children in the system achieved permanency.
CASAs had 105 visits with their children.
Staff members made eight community presentations.
Advocates had 1,033 case contacts on behalf of the children they represent.
Volunteers also completed 284 continued training hours.
And volunteers drove 4,386 miles in doing their important work.
Also, 49 court reports were submitted.
Hain also explained how a child with a CASA volunteer “spends an average of eight fewer months in out-of-home care; has fewer placements and placement changes; performs better in school; is more likely to graduate high school; is less likely to be a teen parent; and is less likely to be incarcerated, compared to a child in foster care without a CASA volunteer.”
As said earlier, the number of abuse/neglected children in the York County Court System has greatly increased over the years. The numbers from the past five years: 2020, 40; 2021, 48; 2022, 67; 2023, 87; and 2024, 92.
“As these numbers reflect, 2024 was a record-breaking year for our program,” Hain told the commissioners. “In all of CASA for York County’s history, we have not seen a calendar year with more abused and neglected children than 2024. Despite the challenges this caseload presented, CASA for York County was able to serve a record number of children; when numbers of abused children increased, our efforts increased. While we are saddened by the increasing trend of children in need, with support from our incredible donors, we are hopeful our efforts will continue to be reflected in the growing number of children served.
“Nearly 75% of these abused and neglected children are under the age of 12,” she said further. “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.”
Jensen explained how the CASA board “continues to make every effort to secure outside funding in the form of grants, fundraising events and individual contributions. CASA for York County held its annual Run Child Abuse Out of Town Fun Run and Walk fundraiser in May 2024 and we had our second annual Duck Race fundraiser in August of 2024. We send out newsletters twice a year and include envelopes which many individuals, businesses and community groups use to donate to our cause. CASA continues to apply for and receive grants from a variety of funders, foundations and grantors. Grantors in 2024 included the York County Commissioners, the Jim B and Lillian F. Cooper Foundation, the York Community Foundation, United Way, the Blum Foundation, the Woods Brothers Foundation, Collins Aerospace and some funds funneled from the state and other grantors through the Nebraska CASA Association.”
Hain said they are requesting $45,000 from York County again this year, which mirrors past years. She also noted the other in-kind contribution from the county which is office space worth $15,660 a year if it were to be paid out of pocket.
“We want to again say thank you for the funds and for the office space as being located in the courthouse is a huge part of the success of this program,” Hain told the commissioners.
Jensen also noted they “work hard to keep the budget as lean as possible. Our staff is highly complimented for their professionalism and the work they do, and of course, our volunteers are incredible.” She also reminded the county board that if the volunteers wouldn’t be making so many contacts for their cases, that work would have to be done by guardian ad litems (who are attorneys) and that cost would have to be paid by the county. “I feel the work CASA for York County has done is absolutely beyond valuable as these kids are being rescued from terrible situations.”
York County Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier said he appreciated them including the in-kind office contribution from the county being included in the annual budget.
Commissioner LeRoy Ott, who is also a CASA volunteer, added, “The lawyer bill would be so much higher without CASA. This helps get cases finished faster. The return on investment is not a made-up number. Advocates see the kids very often and the guardian ad litems only are required to see them every six months, so the value of this program is beyond measure.”