Our Mission

Child Advocates offers vital programs and services for vulnerable children and youth statewide through a race equity lens. We serve children and youth, in the child welfare system, who have experienced abuse and neglect. We connect children with serious mental health or behavioral challenges to statewide services for help. And we advocate for racial equity in child welfare and in our communities to help build a better future for all children.

We fulfill our mission through six key programs: Children’s Mental Health Program, Direct Representation, Educational Liaisons, Legal Services, Mediation and Facilitation, and Interrupting Racism for Children. We serve as a voice for children, standing up for their rights, and working to keep them safe and secure in a home where they can thrive.

History/Timeline

For 39 years, Child Advocates was also an award-winning CASA (court-appointed special advocate) for Marion County, serving as the voice for thousands of children who are abused and/or neglected each year. In child abuse cases in Indianapolis, both the parents and the State of Indiana are represented by legal counsel. There was a time when the children had no one to represent them. That changed in 1982 with the creation of Child Advocates.

Child Advocates, formerly known as the Guardian Ad Litem Project, was founded by the Indianapolis Section of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) in 1982, because NCJW and the courts recognized the need for abused and neglected children to have independent representation. In 1988, NCJW turned over the Guardian Ad Litem Project through assistance from the Indianapolis Legal Aid Society. In 1992 the project was incorporated as Child Advocates, Inc. and became a stand-alone agency.

Since its inception, Child Advocates has represented the best interests of more than 100,000 vulnerable Indianapolis children and, every day, we remain committed to building a better future for children in need.

Annual Report

Community Partners

We are grateful for all of our Corporate Sponsors and Program Partners. Our work would not be possible without you.

If you are interested in becoming a corporate sponsor or would like to receive more information, please contact us at: development@childadvocates.net. Or, call 317-205-3055.