CASA of Portage County takes part in annual “Summit on Kids” 

CASA staff shares information about work of CASA volunteers, impact in the community 

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Portage County was invited to the 2nd Annual Summit on Kids, presented by Portage County Job and Family Services. 

This event featured collaboration from child welfare groups across Portage County. 

Community partners and agencies from around the county attended the two-day August event held at Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown. Groups came together to share information about their initiatives focused on bettering the lives of local children and families.   

“Our CASA program was so grateful to be invited to share our message and learn about the work of other dedicated groups in our community,” said CASA of Portage County Director Ann Walden.

Portage County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge Patricia J. Smith, who was integral to launching a CASA program in Portage County, addressed the crowd at the Summit. 

CASA of Portage County also shared information about the work of CASA volunteers during the “Summit on Kids”.  

“Thank you to Judge Smith for your leadership and commitment to children. Thank you to this community for your willingness to work with CASA,” said Walden. “Thank you to every professional who has welcomed CASA to the table when making critical decisions about children. And thank you to all of our CASA volunteers who give thousands of hours of their time to advocate for children.”

The summit was followed by a motivational training session led by youth care specialist and author Charlie Appelstein, M.S.W. 

“Our CASA staff, volunteers and board members have walked away with so much knowledge to apply,” said Walden. 

The CASA program was launched in Portage County in 2022 and has since sworn in dozens of CASA volunteers.

In 2023, 46 CASA volunteers and served 97 children, exceeding all goals set for year two of the program. To date in 2024, CASA volunteers in Portage County have served 115 children.

CASA volunteers are community members from all walks of life. After comprehensive training, they advocate for the best interest of children who experience abuse and neglect. 

You can learn more about the work of CASA of Portage County and the 46 other CASA programs active in Ohio here.