Hundreds of volunteers celebrate strides made in child advocacy at CASA Day
Hundreds of CASA volunteers formed a wave of blue at the Indiana Statehouse on Wednesday in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Indiana State Office of GAL/CASA.
court appointed special advocate
Articles
Volunteers to gather Wednesday for CASA Day celebration
Hoosiers who volunteer their time and energy advocating on behalf of kids in the child welfare system will have a chance next week to celebrate more than three decades of effort.
Child Advocates celebrates ‘transformational’ $5M Lilly Endowment grant
Indiana’s largest organization that advocates for the interests of child victims of abuse has received the largest donation in its history — a $5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment. “They call it a transformational gift, and it certainly is for us,” Child Advocates CEO Cindy Booth said of the award.
District Court: IPS must face teacher’s age discrimination claims
A former Indianapolis Public Schools teacher’s age discrimination claims will proceed against her former employer after a district court judge determined that a factfinder could conclude that IPS failed to hire her because of her age.
South Bend attorney’s discipline converted to indefinite suspension
The Indiana Supreme Court has moved to indefinitely suspend a South Bend attorney who was suspended earlier this year for her noncooperation with a disciplinary investigation of a grievance against her.
State argues more lawyers not needed in CHINS, TPR cases
In response to a lawsuit seeking to require the state appoint attorneys to represent children in termination of parental rights or children in need of services proceedings, Indiana is arguing that adding more lawyers would only flatter the legal professionals and not mollify tragic circumstances.
DCS reform bills whittled down but advancing
While the effort to give foster parents standing in cases involving abused and neglected children has stalled in the Statehouse, numerous child welfare and Department of Child Services reforms appear poised to pass the Indiana General Assembly.
Suit: Kids in CHINS cases need attorneys
A nonprofit that gave Indiana an F grade in how the state provides for minors in child in need of services and termination of parental rights hearings asserts in a new lawsuit that children a have right to counsel so their voices be heard in court.
Suit seeks to require counsel for kids in CHINS cases
A national child advocacy organization filed a lawsuit Wednesday in federal court in Indianapolis asserting that Indiana is violating the rights of abused and neglected children by failing to provide them legal counsel in children in need of services and termination of parental rights hearings.
DCS still drawing numerous reform bills in Legislature
Legislators in 2018 introduced a slew of bills trying to bring more collaboration and modest adjustments to the Department of Child Services. Lawmakers this year have introduced at least 25 bills impacting CHINS, foster parents and DCS caseloads, among other things.
CASAs may seek termination of parental rights without DCS
The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that court-appointed special advocates have the statutory authority to prosecute a petition to terminate parental rights, even when the Department of Child Services opposes the termination.
Holcomb signs 3 DCS-related bills, 5 others await action
A bill that would have given immunity to guardians ad litem and court appointed child advocates stalled in the Indiana House, but other measures covering foster parents and placing new requirements on the Indiana Department of Child Services all passed through the Statehouse with little or no opposition.
Waiting on DCS report, legislature is not idle
Lawmakers have offered more than a dozen bills to address a growing children in need of services crisis, many of which have won broad support in the General Assembly.
Pilot project aims to short-circuit the CHINS process
With the help of a nearly $1 million grant, Child Advocates, Inc., is partnering with Indianapolis Legal Aid Society in a pilot project designed to sweep youths from the child in need of services process and get them into stable homes.
Legislature gives Supreme Court bump in funding
Court technology and several other court programs got a boost in the latest state biennial budget, including an additional $5.9 million to fund, in part, key initiatives for Hoosiers, such as court appointed special advocate programs.
Advocate: 2 pardoned brothers steered into financial straits by lawyers
When two wrongfully imprisoned brothers were pardoned after 30 years behind bars, they stood to collect hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation. Now a federal judge is considering whether too much of their payout is being siphoned away by legal fees and high-interest loans.
CASA therapy dogs lighten mood at Tippecanoe courthouse
Navigating the local court system is just one more traumatic experience for children who have been abused or neglected. But Tippecanoe County advocates believe a therapy dog to pat or scratch could ease their stress and lighten their moods.
Muncie area courts getting 1st courthouse dog named Frankie
The first courthouse dog is ready to go to work this week at Muncie's Delaware County courts.
CASA Day at Statehouse set for Monday
About 400 Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers will gather Monday at the Indiana Statehouse joined by Justice Steven David to highlight the program’s efforts and talk with lawmakers about issues facing children involved in the child welfare system.
Delaware County approves $16K for dog to help kids in court
Delaware County officials have approved plans to acquire a service dog to aid young people in the juvenile court system.