Nancy McCullar

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Berks County is a non-profit organization that recruits and trains volunteers as child advocates for the children in Berks County who reside in foster care.  Our program began in 2015 under the initiative of Judge Art Grim (ret.) who saw the need for additional “eyes and ears” on the care of Berks County foster children.  Children in foster care who have a CASA volunteer in their lives, who is a caring consistent adult, are more likely to succeed in school, more likely to find a forever home, and half as likely to re-enter the foster care system. There are over 400 children in Berks County who are victims of abuse or neglect each year.  CASA Berks County serves 110 children each year through the advocacy efforts of 55 citizen volunteers. Children who are victims of abuse or neglect face a frightening, profound unknown. Courtrooms. Foster care. New schools. A revolving door of well-meaning professionals -lawyers, doctors, therapists, caseworkers.  All while dealing with the trauma of abuse or neglect.  At CASA of Berks County, we make sure these children do not face the dependency court and foster care systems alone.  Our highly trained volunteer court appointed advocates get to know each child and are by their side advocating for their best interests in the courtroom and in the community.  Our CASA volunteer becomes a voice for the child and ensures the child’s interests are heard and attended to during court hearings.  Our CASA volunteers help the overburdened child welfare system pay attention to the unique needs of each child.  They make sure the child is safe, has the shortest possible road to a permanent home and has the opportunity to thrive. We are the only agency in Berks County focused on advocating for victims of child abuse or neglect. Children who are victims of abuse or neglect face a frightening, profound unknown. Courtrooms. Foster care. New schools. A revolving door of well-meaning professionals -lawyers, doctors, therapists, caseworkers.  All while dealing with the trauma of abuse or neglect.  At CASA of Berks County, we make sure these children do not face the dependency court and foster care systems alone.  Our highly trained volunteer court appointed advocates get to know each child and are by their side advocating for their best interests in the courtroom and in the community.  Our CASA volunteer becomes a voice for the child and ensures the child’s interests are heard and attended to during court hearings.  Our CASA volunteers help the overburdened child welfare system pay attention to the unique needs of each child.  They make sure the child is safe, has the shortest possible road to a permanent home and has the opportunity to thrive. We are the only agency in Berks County focused on advocating for victims of child abuse or neglect.