Kids’ Voice of Indiana received certifications to provide court-appointed special advocates for children in Marion County courts, the organization announced Oct. 13.
Kids’ Voice is certified through the State Office of GAL/CASA Program Standards. The National CASA/GAL Board of Trustees also approved Kids’ Voice as a member of National CASA/GAL Association.
The city awarded Kids’ Voice a contract to provide GAL/CASA (guardian ad litem/court-appointed special advocate) services earlier this year. It was a tense process, as the city had worked with another organization, Child Advocates, since 1982.
One of the issues staff at Child Advocates pointed out during the transition was Kids’ Voice wasn’t certified as a CASA provider.
As a GAL/CASA program, Kidsā Voice staff trains volunteers and matches them with a child. The agency began swearing in new CASA volunteers Oct. 5 and has represented all children in the Marion County Child Welfare System since May 1, Kids’ Voice said in a press release.
Contact staff writer Tyler Fenwick at 317-762-7853 or tylerf@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on Twitter @Ty_Fenwick.