Northeast Georgia CASA Receives State Recognition

CASA, a non-profit group that speaks for abuses and neglected children in Northeast Georgia, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in April with a special honor.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Recently, the group was awarded the 2014 Established Program Award of Excellence at the Georgia CASA State Conference.

Michelle Mitchell is the Executive Director for the Northeast Georgia CASA chapter based in Toccoa.  Mitchell said the chapter was recognized in several areas.

 “Serving the number of children we (now) have. We have grown to more than 800 children during the past ten years,” Mitchell said. Growing the program. We have grown to now include not only the Mountain (Judicial) Circuit, but the Northern Circuit as well.  So, we serve about 80% of the children in those eight counties.”

The Northeast Georgia chapter of CASA started in 2004 and at the time, served three counties, Stephens, Franklin, and Habersham.  Since then, it has expanded to serve children in five additional counties, including Elbert, Hart, Madison, Oglethorpe and Rabun counties.

Mitchell said the group was also recognized for its work in fundraising, leadership, and volunteer growth.

“Certainly, we’ve done well as far as our volunteers, the numbers we have to serve the children, just the quality of the advocacy that we provide,” she said. “And the financial stability so that we can serve all those children. ”

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 legal system or in inappropriate foster or group homes.  The volunteers stay with each case unitl it’s closed and the child is safe. 

Mitchell said a special anniversary reception is planned for next week at the Currahee Campus of North Georgia Technical College  to honor CASA volunteers from the Northeast Georgia Chapter.