LISBON — The Court Appointed Special Advocate program of Columbiana County is looking for volunteers to act as a child’s voice in court proceedings related to abuse, neglect or dependency.

“Change a child’s story. You are that one consistent person that helps the child through this process,” former CASA Director Ann Weigle said.

The former court-based program at Juvenile Court is transitioning to a non-profit program overseen by new CASA of Columbiana County Executive Director Jennifer Gorby, a longtime local attorney, who said they have a great need for more volunteers.

“I think it’s a really rewarding experience for people who have an interest in working with children and families,” Gorby said.

She explained that CASAs conduct investigations regarding abused or neglected children and report to the court what’s in a child’s best interest. The investigation, which is done to learn as much about the child as possible, can include reviewing medical records, court records and school records and include a home visit to make sure the child is living in an appropriate setting. A large part of the investigation includes talking with the child during regular visits, interviewing parents, grandparents, foster parents or anyone involved in the child’s life.

According to a brochure about Ohio CASA, the advocate speaks up for the child’s best interests in court and makes recommendations regarding where the child should live and what services are needed besides monitoring the child’s situation until the court case is released by the court.

“Basically what we feel is best for the child, what environment, what is best suited for the child’s needs,” Gorby said.

Qualifications for being a CASA include being over 21 years old, undergoing a criminal background check and having the time to volunteer. Volunteers must complete 30 hours of per-service training, provided for free by CASA, and then 12 hours of additional training each year. Weigle said they’re asked to commit to at least a year to follow a case to completion.

Volunteers can come from all walks of life and have a variety of backgrounds, including retired teachers, moms, ex-law enforcement, former corrections personnel, counselors and any number of professions. Weigle said one longtime volunteer was a foster mom and has been volunteering for 25 years.

“We’re just looking for people who have an interest in families and children and want to make a difference in a child’s life,” Gorby said.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer can contact Gorby at 330-531-5340 via call or text or send her an email at jgorby910@gmail.com.

She started as the new executive director Oct. 1, but has been involved in the plans to transition CASA from court-based to non-profit for nearly a year. She said Juvenile Court Judge Thomas Baronzzi is very forward-thinking and there’s been a trend toward switching CASA programs to non-profit organizations and he wanted to get ahead of the trend.

“There’s a lot more opportunity with a non-profit for fundraising and recruiting,” she said.

She’s using a grant from Ohio CASA and is in the process of joining the national CASA. She’ll also be doing some fundraisers in the future to raise more money for the program. Gorby recently hosted an open house at the CASA office, which is located on the third floor of the Juvenile Court building, 260 W. Lincoln Way, Lisbon.

She’s also able to accept donations for the program. To donate, contact Gorby.

Weigle will serve as court liaison for the program and serves as grant administrator for Juvenile Court. The advocate program first started in Juvenile Court in 1991 and volunteers were originally called guardian ad litems, then eventually became CASAs. Because the program was court-based, there was a concern there could be conflicts, she said.

Weigle said this is a collaboration and it’s best for the program, regarding the transition.

“Judge Baronzzi and Magistrate Doug King are both supportive of the program,” she said.

Gorby said she’s in the process of setting up a board of directors, saying she’s looking for professionals with fundraising experience, non-profit experience and experience with families and children.

She’ll be setting up a website also, but there’s a CASA social media page and also an Ohio CASA website at ohiocasa.org.