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Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Heartland CASA

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United States
Decatur, IL
Heartland CASA

Visit us at http://www.maconcountycasa.org

Heartland CASA advocates for the best interest of abused and neglected children who are in the custody of the state of Illinois and under the protection of the Macon, DeWitt, Christian, and Moultrie County courts. Macon County CASA recruits, trains, and supports volunteers from the community who, as sworn officers of the court, advocate for abused and neglected children in the Macon & DeWitt County juvenile court systems.

09/04/2026

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something."......Sometimes, something means showing up for a child who needs someone in their corner.

You may not be able to change everything—but you can make a difference. The next Heartland CASA training class begins Thursday, September 10. Could you be the one who shows up for a child in your community?

Learn more or ENROLL today at iheartcasa.org or call 217-428-8424.

09/03/2026

WHY CASA? Because every child deserves someone in their corner.

Children in foster care have a lot of people involved in their lives. But a CASA Advocate has the opportunity to focus on one thing: the child. To get to know them. To understand what they need, ask the right questions, and speak up when it matters most. You don't have to be a foster parent. You don't take a child into your home. You simply give a little of your time to be there just for them - and sometimes - that can make ALL the difference!

Heartland CASA is now enrolling for Fall training classes with openings in 2 convenient locations:

Macon County
Thursdays, September 10–October 15 | 5:30–8:30 p.m.

Christian County
Mondays, October 19–November 23 | 5–8 p.m.

To learn more or enroll, visit iheartcasa.org or call 217-428-8424.

09/02/2026

Being a CASA Advocate doesn't stop when life changes—you can continue making a difference wherever life takes you!

Macon County advocate, Marlo J. recently moved to Christian County, but moving didn't mean she was ready to stop advocating for children. Instead, she decided to become sworn in as a CASA Advocate in Christian County so she could continue serving children in her new community, and today, she officially took that oath!

We are so excited to have Marlo continuing her CASA journey and making a difference for children in Christian County. Congratulations on your Swearing-in! We are so glad you are continuing to show up for our children - wherever life takes you!

New fall training classes start September 10 and October 12th in Macon and Christian Counties. To learn more about how you can become involved, visit iheartcasa.org/volunteer or call 217-428-8424.

09/01/2026

Heartland CASA needs 5 more volunteers to fill our September Pre-Service Training class and we're asking our community to TAKE FIVE and help us spread the word!

- Like and Share this post.
- Tag a friend, family member, or co-worker.
- Consider enrolling in training yourself!

Our next six-week training is Thursday, September 10 - Thursday, October 15 from 5:30–8:30 PM and is held at the Heartland CASA office at 141 S. Main, Ste. 722 with a virtual option available. Just 6 classes - it is life-changing, and it is FREE!. Can you show up?

Learn more or enroll today at iheartcasa.org/volunteer or call 217-428-8424.

08/27/2026

Heartland CASA is now enrolling for our upcoming Fall Pre-Service Training classes in Macon and Christian Counties. No special background required - just compassion, commitment, and a willingness to speak up for a child in your community.

Two opportunities. One powerful way to make a difference.

Macon County
Thursdays, September 10–October 15 | 5:30–8:30 PM
Heartland CASA | 141 S. Main, Ste. 722, Decatur

Christian County
Mondays, October 19–November 23 | 5–8 PM
Taylorville Public Library | 121 W. Vine St, Taylorville

Enroll today at iheartcasa.org/volunteer or call 217-428-8424.

08/25/2026

Behind every number is a child and behind every CASA volunteer is someone who chose to show up.

Heartland CASA’s July 2026 data reflects both meaningful progress and the continued need across Macon, DeWitt, Christian, and Moultrie Counties:

• 341 children had a CASA at the end of July
• 56 active CASA volunteers were serving our program
• 11 children’s CASA cases closed during July including 9 children who achieved permanency through adoption

At the same time, our service area had 612 pending abuse and neglect cases. The need for caring, consistent adults remains significant.

CASA volunteers do more than attend meetings or submit reports. They listen, gather information, advocate for children’s needs, and remain a steady presence during an uncertain chapter of a child’s life.

You do not need a legal or social-work background to become a CASA volunteer. You need compassion, dependability, and a willingness to speak up for a child.

Learn more at www.iheartcasa.org.

08/17/2026

CASA MYTH #2

“If I become a CASA, will I have to take a child into my home?” It's a question we often hear, and it's an important one.

CASA and foster care are two very different ways of supporting a child. You don't have to open your home to become a CASA Advocate. What you bring is your time, your voice and your commitment to one child. And that's something every child deserves.

To learn more about becoming involved with Heartland CASA, comment below or contact Lori McDaniel at 217-428-8424 or [email protected].

08/13/2026

WHAT DOES A CASA ADVOCATE ACTUALLY DO?

When a child experiences abuse or neglect and enters the child welfare system, their life can suddenly become filled with caseworkers, attorneys, therapists, caregivers, court hearings and decisions about their future.

That's where a CASA Advocate comes in. A judge appoints a CASA to get to know the child, listen to their story, gather information and advocate for their best interests....but a CASA is more than another person involved in a case. They are

Someone who chooses to show up.
Someone who knows the child.
Someone who listens.
Someone who pays attention.
Someone who speaks up.
Most importantly... someone who KEEPS showing up.

Could you be that person?

To learn more about how showing up can matter for a child in your community, comment below or contact Lori McDaniel at 217-428-8424 or [email protected].

08/12/2026

Today, Heartland CASA celebrated a milestone we have been working toward for months — the swearing-in of Moultrie County’s first class of CASA advocates. ❤️💙

At the Moultrie County Courthouse, Judge Jeremy Richey welcomed Christine G., Rita F., Ann S., Mitzi H., Melissa K., Kayla T., Becky C., and MaryAnn H. as they took their oaths and officially became Heartland CASA advocates.

This inaugural class represents the beginning of CASA advocacy in Moultrie County. Each advocate has invested their time in learning about the child welfare system, the court process, and what it means to advocate for a child whose circumstances are often anything but simple. Today, all of that preparation became official.

We are incredibly proud of these eight advocates and grateful for the commitment they have made to the children and families they will serve. We are equally grateful to the six Heartland CASA staff members who helped make this first Moultrie County class possible. It truly took a team to get us to this day.

Thank you Judge Richey for welcoming Heartland CASA into the Moultrie County Courthouse and for being part of such an important milestone for our organization and the community.

Moultrie County’s first class is officially sworn in — and we could not be more proud.

08/11/2026

CASA MYTH #1: “I need a degree or experience in social work to become a CASA.” NOT TRUE!

CASA Advocates come from many different backgrounds, professions, and stages of life. You don't need to already understand the child welfare or court system — that's what our training is for.

Our training provides the knowledge and tools you need to understand your role as an advocate, including the court process, child development, trauma, mental health, substance use, cultural competence and more. But here's the thing:

We aren't looking for another professional to add to a child's team. We're looking for a normal person who is willing to show up.

A child may already have caseworkers, attorneys, therapists, teachers and other professionals involved in their life. A CASA brings something different — a consistent, trusted adult who is there simply because they choose to be there for that child.

You don't have to have all the answers.

You don't have to have the perfect background.

You just have to be willing to listen, learn, care and show up.

Could you be the one who shows up?

Want to learn more about becoming a CASA Advocate? Comment below or contact Lori McDaniel at 217-428-8424 or [email protected].

Address

141 S. Main Suite 722
Decatur, IL
62523

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+12174288424

Website

http://www.iheartcasa.org/

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