Serving Leavenworth and Atchison Counties

CASA Core Services

Court Appointed Special Advocates

The CASA program in Leavenworth was established in 1994 and is based on the idea that average citizens can become professionally trained volunteers who serve as the eyes and ears of the court. Even more importantly, these volunteers are a voice for the child. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) meet all involved parties and make an impartial recommendation to the Judge. These advocates appear in court for the child and represent the child's best interest. CASAs monitor a case until its end, helping bring swift and permanent conclusions. 

Child Exchange and Visitation Center

This program is a court ordered service which ensures the safety of children while visiting with their non-residential parents. CASA makes it possible for children to spend quality time with their non-residential parents in a safe and neutral setting. This setting is crucial for the well being of a child, especially when restraining orders, court orders, or other circumstances may require a parent's interactions with his/her child or children be monitored. Trained volunteers, assisted by security officers, provide a neutral and safe setting where parents and children can spend time together until issues are resolved and/or alternate arrangements are made for parenting time. This program provides an accurate means of recording both parties' compliance with the rules and guidelines of the program as well as any current court orders. Both parties must complete an intake before any visitation can take place. 

Child Advocacy Center

The Leavenworth Child Advocacy Center (LCAC) is a nonprofit organization umbrellaed under the First Judicial District CASA Association. The LCAC utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to child abuse investigations in Leavenworth County. Together with Law Enforcement and the Department for Children and Families, the LCAC works with children ages 3-17 who have been the victims of physical and/or sexual abuse, neglect, or are witnesses to violence. The LCAC responds to the needs of children by providing safe, child friendly, and culturally sensitive services. 

Nationally there are over 400 Child Advocacy Centers accredited by the National Children's Alliance.

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CASA Founder

CASA was founded in 1977 by the Honorable Judge David W. Soukup. Hear him talk about how he originated the idea of Court Appointed Special Advocates.

Change a Child's Story

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