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Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Warren & Forest Counties will officially change its name to Child & Youth Advocacy Network (CYAN) of Warren & Forest Counties today, aligning with a statewide rebrand intended to strengthen child advocacy efforts across Pennsylvania.
The change follows the Oct. 7 rebranding of the state organization, formerly known as PA CASA, to CYAN of Pennsylvania. According to local Executive Director Kelsey Howard, the transition is designed to improve clarity and consistency across the statewide network while better reflecting the organization's evolving work on behalf of children and youth.
Despite the name change, the organization's mission, local volunteers and commitment to serving children in Warren and Forest counties will remain unchanged.
As part of the transition, volunteers will receive a new title of Judicial Child Advocates (JCAs). Current volunteers will continue their work without needing to repeat their training or be sworn in again, according to the organization.
The statewide rebrand follows several years of planning and collaboration with outside organizations. Leaders identified a need to address confusion surrounding the CASA name, including a lack of trademark protection, while creating a brand that could support future growth and innovative approaches to child advocacy.
The transition also will introduce an updated training curriculum tailored specifically to Pennsylvania's dependency court system. The curriculum is intended to incorporate research-based practices and provide volunteers with a stronger understanding of state laws, court procedures and the needs of the children they serve.
The organization noted that its previous pre-service training was nationally based and had not been updated since 2017. The new curriculum will be evaluated regularly by the state office as child welfare practices and laws continue to evolve.
Local leadership has received support for the transition from President Judge Gregory Hammond and Judge Todd Woodin. The rebrand also is intended to provide volunteers with a clearer professional identity and additional resources to support their advocacy work. The organization emphasized that the transition will not require community partners or stakeholders to take any formal action beyond updating the organization's name on relevant documents as new materials become available.
CASA of Warren & Forest Counties, soon to be CYAN of Warren & Forest Counties, works with volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children involved in the court system. The organization says its continued focus will be on ensuring that local children receive the support and attention they need.