CASA program asks county for $13,060 to sustain a paid advocate after state grant cuts

Whitney Pennington, a Guardian ad Litem and executive director for Cross of Jefferson County, told the council the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) reduced statewide CASA funding and that her program received $85,000 less than the grant she wrote. Pennington said Cross faces a local shortfall of $44,100 and requested $13,060 from Jefferson County to sustain a new paid staff advocate position that would serve up to 30 lower‑triage children and relieve volunteer capacity constraints.

Pennington explained that the ICJI grant will cover part of the new position ($30,000 beginning in October), she had secured an additional $10,000 from another grant, and she requested $13,060 plus FICA to cover the remainder for calendar 2027. She said the county currently provides $22,000 in state funding and noted that Judge Mote sets aside $30,000 in his budget annually for CASA work.

Council members asked about caseload numbers (Pennington said 94 children required court intervention so far this year, with about 200 per year historically) and praised volunteer recruitment that currently allows every court‑assigned child to have an advocate. No formal vote was taken at the hearing.