CASA Has Enough Advocates For The First Time in a Decade

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Indiana is fourth in the nation, when it comes to the rate at which children are placed in child protective care, according to an independent report by the Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group (CWG).

In 2016, children in Indiana were referred to Child Services at nearly twice the national average, according to the report.

The Indiana Department of Child Services has seen a dramatic increase in the number of children remanded to their custody, over the past few years. Experts say a major driver of that increase is the ongoing opioid epidemic. As parents are affected by the opioid crisis, the number of children in state custody, due to alleged neglect or abuse, has increased. 

Monroe county CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) has approximately 167 volunteers, trained to observe and interview service providers, family members, and the children involved in a case. They communicate the children’s wish in court, and offer their own recommendations. There was a shortage of CASAs for years, because of the increase in child victims of abuse or neglect.

Monroe County CASA Executive Director Kristin Bishay said this year is the first time in over a decade there are enough CASA volunteers for each child.

Bishay said, while she’s relieved there isn’t a volunteer shortage this year,  due to the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) taking on fewer cases. The CWG report is an independent review of Indiana’s Department of Child Services conducted commissioned Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, and released in June, 2018.  The report found case managers have higher caseloads than state-approved standards. It recommended reducing case worker loads.

Long time director of Indiana DCS , Mary Beth Bonaventura, resigned from her position in December of 2017. Bonaventura accused the Governor’s office of cutting funding and services for her department, and endangering the safety of children. Terry Stigdon is the current director of Indiana’s DCS. She was appointed in January of 2018.