Photo Provided CASA of Tuscarawas & Harrison Counties swears in a new class of CASA volunteers to advocate for local children in need.

CADIZ — The CASA of Harrison & Tuscarawas Counties Program swore in a new group of Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers during a special ceremony on May 16 at the Harrison County Juvenile Court. Harrison County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge Matthew Puskarich and Tuscarawas County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge Adam Wilgus presided over the ceremonial oath, swearing in the first group of volunteers for 2025.

The newly sworn-in CASA volunteers are community members from all walks of life who completed comprehensive training. They will soon advocate for children in Harrison and Tuscarawas counties experiencing abuse and neglect, many of whom are in the foster care system.

“I thank the judges and the CASA program for allowing me to be a part of this opportunity to give a voice to children within the court system. Being a CASA volunteer will allow me to represent children in vulnerable and unideal situations, and to be their voice,” Sarah Waltz-Hoard, a CASA volunteer, said.

Tuscarawas and Harrison counties have operated a CASA program since 2023 and are part of a strong statewide network of CASA programs.

“For many of the children we serve, a CASA volunteer is the one constant they will have during this difficult time in their life. These children are more likely to succeed in school and less likely to re-enter the foster care system when they have a caring advocate by their side,”Crystal Antill, CASA director, noted.

Puskarich and Wilgus swore in this new class of volunteers, surrounded by supporters, court and Ohio CASA staff.

“I am very pleased to have a CASA program serving our counties. CASA volunteers will make a definite impact on our children and families in crisis by helping them reunite their families. I look forward to the growth of this program as the need for more CASA volunteers is critical to the ultimate success of the program,” Puskarich said.

After undergoing a background check and comprehensive training, CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge or magistrate to advocate for children in abuse or neglect cases.

If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, visit casatuscharrison.org/volunteer or contact Antill at CAntill@HarrisonCountyOhio.gov or 740-491-4148.

Volunteers complete at least 30 hours of training and in-court observation before being assigned a case. CASA volunteers get continued support and complete annual training.

There are 48 CASA programs serving more than 9,000 children in 62 Ohio counties annually.