When a child enters the child welfare system due to abuse or neglect, their world becomes filled with new adults, each with a different title, purpose, and role.
In Johnson County, Indiana, these professionals form the legal team surrounding a child’s case. This team plays a critical role in determining where the child lives, what services they receive, and ultimately, where they will grow up.
Among these key players is one role unlike any other: the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). CASA volunteers don’t just support the child, they stand beside them. Their focus is not policy or procedure, but the child’s best interest. And without them, the team is incomplete.
If you're curious about how CASA fits into the larger system, or you're considering becoming a volunteer yourself, this article will break it down clearly.
If a child is removed from their home due to abuse or neglect, the case enters the juvenile court system. In Johnson County, several professionals become involved, each assigned to protect different rights and responsibilities. These typically include:
The DCS case manager is responsible for investigating the initial allegations, coordinating services for both the child and the parents, and creating a plan for either reunification or another permanent placement. They are employed by the State of Indiana and carry a legal duty to follow federal and state child welfare laws.
The court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem or a private attorney to represent the child’s legal interests. Their role is to provide legal advocacy, especially if the child is older and has strong preferences that may differ from what others recommend.
Each parent involved in the case has the right to legal representation. Their attorneys work to ensure the parents’ rights are protected and that they receive the services necessary to work toward reunification, if appropriate.
At the center of it all is the judge, the individual who reviews evidence, hears from all sides, and makes the final decisions on custody, visitation, services, and permanency. Judges rely heavily on the information presented by professionals, especially those who know the child best.
This is where CASA comes in.
CASA volunteers are appointed by the judge, not DCS or any agency. Their only role is to advocate for the child’s best interest, not for the parents, not for the state, and not for any specific outcome.
In Johnson County, CASA of Johnson County assigns trained, court-appointed volunteers to represent children in abuse and neglect cases. These volunteers get to know the child personally by visiting regularly and talking with key people in the child’s life, foster parents, teachers, therapists, relatives, and more.
CASA volunteers then submit written reports to the court, which are reviewed by the judge before hearings. These reports include:
Judges in Johnson County often note that CASA reports provide crucial insight, especially because CASA volunteers are frequently the only person on the case who is not paid and who stays with the child from beginning to end.
Learn more about what CASA volunteers do and how they make a difference.
To appreciate CASA’s unique value, it helps to understand what they don’t do, and why that matters. Unlike DCS or attorneys, CASA volunteers are not bound by representing a system, legal standard, or client interest. Instead, their job is to shine a light on what’s best for the child, even when it’s inconvenient or unpopular.
For example:
These recommendations don’t override the judge, but they do influence decisions. In fact, national data shows that children with CASAs are more likely to:
Want to learn more about how CASA interacts with other agencies? Visit our page on Who We Serve.
A child navigating the court system may see multiple caseworkers, attorneys, and placements over the course of their case. But ideally, they’ll only ever have one CASA volunteer.
That consistency is priceless. It gives the child a stable adult they can trust, someone who shows up again and again, not because they’re paid to, but because they care.
In a system full of professionals balancing caseloads and legal obligations, the CASA volunteer is the one person focused solely on what’s best for the child, today and long-term.
Understanding the roles on a child’s legal team is just the beginning. If you’re looking for a way to make a direct, lasting impact in Johnson County, Indiana, becoming a CASA volunteer might be your next step.
You don’t need to be a lawyer. You don’t need a background in social work. You just need compassion, consistency, and a few hours each month.
Children in our community are waiting for someone like you.