In a move that has left volunteers and child advocates reeling, Scioto County Juvenile Court Judge Rebecca Bennett has decided to cut the county’s participation in the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program. The program, which assigns trained volunteers to advocate for the welfare of children in the foster care system, has been a critical lifeline for abused and neglected children in the county for years.
Constance Fried, a dedicated CASA volunteer for over 20 years, shared her concerns at a recent meeting of the Scioto County Commissioners. At 93 years old, Fried has dedicated much of her life to supporting the children of Scioto County. “I’ve been trying to make an appointment with Judge Bennett for a month, but she doesn’t want to discuss this with me,” Fried said. Her passion for the program led her to address the commissioners, urging them to step in after the program was dismantled without warning.
Fried’s advocacy for the program began when she moved to Scioto County seven years ago and recognized a desperate need for CASA volunteers. After contacting the state Attorney General’s office, Fried worked with Kenya Johnson, the CASA program coordinator, to bring the program to Scioto County. Their collaboration resulted in the establishment of the program, which has provided vital support for children in foster care ever since.
However, Judge Bennett recently terminated the program’s volunteer coordinator and declined funding from both VOCA and Ohio CASA, citing budget concerns. This decision has left Fried and others concerned about the future of foster children in the county. “Judge Bennett has refused to meet with me or discuss the future of the program,” Fried said. “Our county has 223 children in foster care, and case managers are overwhelmed with as many as 40 cases each. The CASA volunteers were essential in providing consistency and advocacy for these children. Now, they have lost their voice in court.”
Fried, deeply troubled by the loss of such a crucial program, has taken her concerns to the highest levels, including Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Republican Party. She also voiced her frustration with the county’s leadership, stating that the cuts were made without proper consultation or transparency.
Three years ago, the Scioto County community celebrated the addition of six new CASA volunteers, bringing the total to 44 trained individuals who each devoted significant time and energy to supporting children in the foster care system. These volunteers were instrumental in ensuring that children were given a consistent, caring presence during the legal process. Judge Alan Lemons, who oversaw the program’s introduction, praised the volunteers, noting that they provided much-needed support during cases of custody, abuse, and neglect.
“CASA volunteers are essential,” Judge Lemons said. “They focus on one child or family at a time, offering stability and consistency in what is often a very confusing time for the children. They’ve been an invaluable asset to the court.”
Now, with the program’s sudden closure, there are questions about who will advocate for these vulnerable children. Commissioner Scottie Powell expressed his gratitude to Fried for her years of service but acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. “In terms of Judge Bennett’s decision, I wish I could give you more insight,” Powell said. “But we are committed to having a conversation to better understand what happened.”
Fried remains hopeful that the community will rally together to find a solution, but she fears that without the CASA program, Scioto County’s children will be left without the help they desperately need.
As the conversation continues, the question remains: Who will step in to advocate for the children in foster care? And will the county be able to restore the CASA program, or will these vulnerable kids face an uncertain future without the support they deserve?
