HISTORY

Our Beginning

• Shelby County began a volunteer based court advocate program in October of 1999.
  
  
• Shelby County became affiliated with the CASA/GAL in June 2002,
  earning the name:  Shelby County CASA/GAL Program.
  
  
• The program started with one part-time employee at 15 hours weekly,
  and the Juvenile Court Administrator handled finances.
  
  
• In 2002, 5 volunteers served 34 children.

Current Status

• 501(c)3 Status:  The program received notification in April 2009 for 501(c)3 status approval, meaning the program can now accept charitable donations and hold fundraising events.
  
  
• Funding:  The Shelby County CASA/GAL Program is court based, meaning we receive a portion of our funding through the juvenile court system.  The program also receives funds from the State Victim Assistance Act (SVAA) grant and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Additional funds also come from the Ohio CASA Association, a special project grant from the Shelby County United Way, and fundraising events –“Dancing with Our Stars!”

• Staff: Currently there are two staff members.  The Director works 30 hours weekly and handles volunteer coordination, volunteer recruitment and training, attends seminars and quarterly Ohio CASA meetings, manages finances and grant proposals, has a caseload and any other miscellaneous duties needed for the program.  The Volunteer Coordinator works 20 hours weekly and also supervises volunteers, has a caseload and any other miscellaneous duties needed for the program.

• 2010 Statistics:  The program had 21 active volunteers throughout the year who advocated for 128 abused, neglected, and dependent children.