Council approves part‑time paid CASA position to address volunteer shortages

The Clinton County Council voted unanimously to approve a part‑time paid Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) position to address a drop in volunteer availability for child‑in‑need‑of‑services cases.

Judge Moller, who oversees juvenile matters, told the council that longtime volunteers have recently stepped away and that one trained CASA volunteer is willing to take additional cases if paid part time. "It's already a CASA that's been trained and is taking one case, but this would allow her to take additional cases," Judge Moller said, adding that the position would not require new funding from outside the existing budget.

Judge Moller said the CASA budget comes partly from a state grant, which requires a local match paid from the court’s wrap‑around funds, and noted surplus grant money is being carried forward. "It won't take any additional funding through the budget," Judge Moller said.

Chair said the council would record its approval at the public meeting so the judge could proceed; a motion to approve the position passed by voice vote with a tally recorded as 5–0.

The action establishes a part‑time paid role intended to expand advocacy capacity for children in juvenile proceedings. The council noted that any needed appropriations tied to carryover grant funds would be brought back for review if required at year end.