The Child Protection Network (CPN) is a 501(c)3 organization whose mission is to provide financial resources that support the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect.
CPN supports the Children's Advocacy Centers in Mclean, Livingston, and Dewitt Counties in their endeavor to investigate crimes against children and provide support to innocent family members and the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program that recruits and trains community volunteers to be a voice for children placed in the foster care system.
Currently, the primary focus of CPN is to provide support to local CASA programs and services. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Before being assigned responsibilities, CASA volunteers undergo a thorough background check, participate in a 40 hour training course. In addition, ongoing continuing education and in-service participation is required after accepting a CASA volunteer position.
Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.
During the past year 123 children right here in our community received advocacy services from CASA’s who provided over 8,400 service hours related to 362 separate court hearings.
CASA TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
Powerless Children need Powerful Voices! Become a CASA volunteer and give a voice to a child in foster care. "CASA" stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA will train you and stand by your side as you advocate for your child. Children in foster care who have a CASA volunteer, like you, have a much brighter future. They do better in school, get better health care, and find a permanent loving home faster than those children without an advocate.
The CASA program is offering an alternative to traditional training. The next training session will utilize a hybrid method combining on-line course work with classroom participation. The training is scheduled to begin on 4/7/18 for an all-day session. The class will then meet at the CASA office from 4-7pm on 4/9, 4/23, 5/7, and will conclude on 5/14/18. Applications for this training session are due by 2-9-18.
The CASA program is also offering a new training opportunity in the summer. The class will meet every day at the CASA office July 23 – 27, 2018 from 8-4:30 pm. Applications are due by 5/25/18.
The traditional fall training session is scheduled to begin on 10/9/18 and will conclude on 11/8/18. Training will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of each week, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the CASA office. Applications are due by 8-10-18.
Please contact Margie Jordan, CASA Program Director, at 309/888-5852 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.
For Concerns regarding child abuse or neglect please call the Abuse Hotline: 1.800.252.2873
