Riverwoods Resident Joins CASA Lake County as Advocate for Foster Kids

Jill Doppelt, of Riverwoods, was sworn in by the Lake County Juvenile Court as a new Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Ms. Doppelt joins CASA Lake County and a force of nearly 300 volunteer advocates who work to protect local children who have been victims of abuse and neglect. The children are all involved in Lake County Juvenile Court proceedings and most are living in foster care. Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Judge Christopher B. Morozin presided over the online ceremony that inducted ten volunteers from nine northern suburbs, on January 21, 2021.

"The past year truly opened my eyes to global suffering," said Ms. Doppelt. "The feeling of helplessness seemed overwhelming. But being a CASA volunteer enables me to help local children find safe, permanent homes."

"CASA volunteers are needed now more than ever," said Terri Zenner Greenberg, Executive Director of CASA Lake County. "Since the start of the pandemic, more children are entering protective care than ever before. Every Lake County agency that works with children in foster care is overwhelmed. For the first time in decades, our program has nearly 100 children on our waiting list for volunteer assignments. We need many more people who can help us with our work."

Lake County has experienced an unprecedented rise in new abuse and neglect cases before the 19th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court. This has exceeded the capacity of already thinly-stretched child welfare agencies and programs.

CASA volunteers perform a valuable service to more than 550 children in Lake County. The goal of a CASA is to help move kids efficiently through the court system into safe, permanent homes where they will have an opportunity to thrive.

CASA volunteers must successfully complete an in-depth, 40-hour training program. The program prepares them to help ensure that the best interests of children are being served and that juvenile court judges are aware of all issues that impact those interests. In recent months, the training has been conducted online.

"The current public health crisis is exacerbating existing problems in family relationships and stability, and has made many already difficult situations worse. Providing CASA services today is more important than ever, and we need more volunteers who can help us make a difference," said Ms. Greenberg.

Any adult interested in volunteering with CASA Lake County, please contact Debra Lerner-Schmidt at dlernerschmidt@casalakecounty.com.