Dawson/Gosper County CASA (Elwood)

The Dawson/Gosper County CASA Program

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Linda A. Shaw, Program Director & Savannah Peden, Outreach CoordinatorDawson/Gosper County CASA has been in place with the juvenile system for close to 25 years! CASA stands for COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES. We are volunteers who work in conjunction with child protective services and the juvenile justice system to meet the needs of abused & neglected children for safety and suitable, permanent homes.

We are excited to share the remarkable achievements of the Dawson/Gosper County CASA program during the fiscal year spanning July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. Our commitment to the well-being of children in our community has never wavered, and the numbers speak volumes about our collective efforts.

During this period, this CASA program has been a lifeline for 60 new children, with 59 ongoing children's cases under our case We are thrilled to report that 40 cases were successfully closed, with 17 children finding their forever families through adoption and 12 children being reunified with their parents - a testament to the dedication of our volunteers and the positive impact they make in these young lives.

Active Volunteers for Dawson/Gosper County CASA

Who are CASA volunteers?

They are ordinary citizens who believe that every child has the right to a safe and permanent home. They are individuals appointed by the county judge who oversees the Juvenile Court System. CASA volunteers advocate for the best interest of the abused and/or neglected child.

What do CASA volunteers do?

Being the voice of the abused and/or neglected child in a courtroom requires us to:

• Get to know the child
• Attend court hearings
• Interact with parents, teachers, attorneys, social workers, etc.

Requirements of a CASA volunteer:

• Required background checks
• 30 hours of initial training
• 1-year commitment
• 21 years of age
• 4-6 hours per month to volunteer

Teresa Ibach (Nebraska Senator); Bob Crandall (CASA Volunteer); Linda A Shaw (Program Director); Carol Sheldon (CASA Volunteer) at the Sumner Parade on July 4th, 2024.

Presently, we are serving 80 children, and our team of 22 devoted volunteers has generously contributed a staggering number of hours, traveling hundreds of miles to support their assigned children, attend essential team meetings, and participate in court hearings. Our volunteers are the heart of our program, and their commitment allows us to maintain a 100% dedication to the children of Dawson and Gosper Counties.

There are many ways that you, yourself, can assist our local CASA program:

• Financial donor
• Becoming a volunteer
• Spreading the word! Facebook shares, talking to a friend, and supporting us!
• If you are not able to become a CASE ACTIVE volunteer, we still appreciate and welcome you to take the training course to become more knowledgeable about CASA.

Thank you for being so supportive!

For more information, call the local Dawson/Gosper County CASA office at 308.324.7364

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