Pennsylvania has officially designated today — July 15 — as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Day, recognizing the work of volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children involved in the state’s dependency court system.

The House resolution honors Pennsylvania’s CASA program, which was incorporated on July 15, 1998, and now oversees a network of 21 local CASA programs serving 32 counties across the Commonwealth. Through state funding, PA CASA supports local programs that recruit and train volunteers to represent the best interests of children in court.

During the 2024-25 fiscal year, PA CASA’s 1,051 active volunteers advocated for 2,092 children who had experienced abuse or neglect, contributing thousands of volunteer hours. CASA volunteers are appointed by dependency court judges and work alongside case managers, foster families, attorneys and service providers to ensure each child’s needs remain the priority as they work toward safe, permanent homes.

CASA volunteers provide individualized attention to children while maximizing community resources and strengthening support for families involved in the child welfare system. The Commonwealth also recognized the contributions of volunteer board members and staff across Pennsylvania’s CASA programs.

For Executive Director Kelsey Howard, the statewide recognition is an important milestone.

“It’s really amazing that CASA is finally being recognized,” Howard said. “I feel like we are becoming more well-known even within our community.”

Howard said she hopes to pursue a similar proclamation locally through county commissioners in future years.

While the recognition celebrates nearly three decades of Pennsylvania’s CASA program, Howard said local programs continue to face a pressing need for volunteers.

The CASA program serving the Warren area currently has 22 children assigned to the program, with 12 still waiting to be matched with a volunteer advocate. The organization currently has eight active volunteers.

CASA volunteers receive specialized training before being appointed by a judge to advocate for a child’s best interests throughout dependency court proceedings. Their role is to provide consistent support and ensure children’s voices and needs remain at the forefront as decisions are made about their futures.

With Pennsylvania now recognizing July 15 as CASA Day, Howard hopes the increased awareness will inspire more community members to volunteer and support children navigating the child welfare system.