(Submitted by Wood County Probate and Juvenile Courts)
Wood County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge Dave Woessner has announced the appointment of Jodi Whitacre as the next director of Wood County’s Court Appointed Special Advocate program. Whitacre will begin her role as director effective Jan. 1, 2020.
Carol Fox, the court’s CASA program director for more than 19 years, is retiring at the end of the year.
Whitacre has been associated with the Wood County Juvenile Court’s CASA program since 2013 when she began as a CASA volunteer. Since November 2014 to the present, she has been a volunteer coordinator for the CASA program.
In this role, Whitacre has assisted CASA volunteers, organized and facilitated CASA related trainings, organized and facilitated monthly Citizen Review Board meetings, and provided a variety of ongoing additional services for the CASA program.
In making the appointment, Woessner said, “I am happy to appoint Jodi Whitacre as the next director of our CASA program. Her experience with our CASA program provides a strong working knowledge of how the program works and the expectations and needs of our volunteers and board members. Jodi’s experience, coupled with a background which includes management and organizational experience in multiple areas, will serve her well in her role of director.”
Woessner also acknowledged the work of outgoing CASA program director.
“For 19 and one half years, Carol Fox has led our Wood County CASA program. During that time, the CASA program has expanded in many ways – including the sheer number of volunteers, the involvement of the Friends of Wood County CASA Board, and the involvement and role of the Citizens Review Board. Carol has overseen a program which has been recognized statewide and nationally and continues to have one of the longest volunteer retention rates in the state, despite the challenging circumstances of many of the cases our CASA volunteers serve. Carol’s work has directly benefited many youth and families throughout Wood County.”
The Wood County Juvenile Court’s CASA program is always seeking volunteers to assist in making a difference in the lives of abused, neglected and dependent children. Anyone with an interest in volunteering or assisting with the Wood County CASA program may contact the program at 419-352-3554 or email casa@co.wood.oh.us.
