Sunflower CASA Project Highlights
The Sunflower CASA Project began as CASA of Riley County in 1988 and expanded in to Clay County in 1991. This allowed the program to serve the entire 21st Judicial District. In 2001, we expanded into Pottawatomie County in the 2nd Judicial District. Since its inception, Sunflower CASA has served over 800 abused and neglected children.
In 2006, our program had 111 certified volunteers who advocated for 159 children. Our volunteers donated 3,300 hours and drove over 20,000 miles for their cases.
In 2006, our program ranked 3rd in the state of Kansas for the number of children served and 3rd for the number of certified volunteers.
Our program has been honored four times in the past seven years with the Child Advocate of the Year Award from the Kansas CASA Association. Jack Hoagland was recognized in 2000, Gayle Bennett in 2002, Jane Pelletier in 2003, and Barbara Crooks in 2004. Jane Pelletier was the United Way of Riley County's Making a Difference award winner in 2003. The Kansas CASA Association named Jayme Morris-Hardeman, Executive Director, Program Director of the Year in 2003 and Jack Hoagland Board Member of the Year in 2004.