The Athens County Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Program is a local non-profit organization that advocates for abused and neglected children who are involved with Juvenile Court.Our program utilizes trained, local volunteers to serve as a neutral party in all court proceedings and who make recommendations to the court about what is in the child’s best interest.Our main goal is to make sure that all children are in permanent and safe homes.

CASA/GAL volunteers are ordinary people doing extraordinary work for abused and neglected children. Presently, the Athens CASA/GAL program utilizes over 20 volunteers and serves over 100 children.According to a number of studies, children assigned to a CASA/GAL volunteer spend less time in the court system and receive more services that kids who do not have CASA/GAL representation, and are more likely to be placed in permanent homes.

There are many ways to become involved with CASA/GAL. Become a volunteer, hold a fundraiser, or make a donation.

To get more information about the Athens CASA/GAL Program and/or becoming a volunteer, see below and contact Executive Director Rebecca Miller at 740-592-3255 or becca@athenscasa.org.

From the Judge

The CASA/GAL Program is an integral component of Athens County Juvenile Courts’ commitment to provide abused and neglected children with safe and stable homes.  Volunteers from all walks of life are trained in the working of the social service and court systems and are paired with children whose family lives are in crisis.  As advocates for the best interests of the children, they provide all parties and the court with valuable information and insight.

If you are willing to sacrifice a portion of your personal time and are interested in helping the needy youth of our county, I strongly encourage you to contact Rebecca Miller and become part of this wonderful project.

Robert W. Stewart
Probate/ Juvenile Judge
Athens County

Meet the Staff

Information about our staff members is below

Rebecca Robison-Miller

Rebecca has been the Executive Director of the Athens County Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Program since February of 2003.

Before working for Juvenile Court, Rebecca worked as a service coordinator for the Childhood League Center in Columbus, Ohio as well as a Family Mentor for the Help Me Grow program in Athens. In these positions, she worked closely with families of young children who were at risk for abuse, neglect and developmental disabilities by linking them with services, providing developmental screenings, and supportive parenting guidance in the home environment.

Rebecca graduated from Athens High School and received her bachelor’s degree in Human and Consumer Sciences from Ohio University majoring in Child and Family Studies. After graduation, she interned at the Washington D.C. Rape Crisis Center, providing counseling, support, and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration at Ohio University.

Rebecca serves as a board member for the Athens Professionals for Philanthropy, is a member of the Child Conservation League, member of the Athens AM Rotary Club and a 2008 graduate of Leadership Athens County.  Rebecca also serves as a mentor for the Ohio University Woman's Center Mentoring Program and on the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Health Sciences and Professions at Ohio University.

Linda Wicke

Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Linda moved to Athens as a teen, and graduated from AHS and OU. Shortly thereafter, she and her now-husband Tom drove off to see the world with $700 and a car painted like a globe. The car got sold to the demolition derby, and Tom and Linda landed in Austin, Texas. Linda practiced social work there, first in the public sector and then in private practice. Her experiences range from heading the police crisis team and managing its 60 volunteers, to working as a caseworker with the mentally ill and substance abusers, to counseling and running groups for children and adults, to working with both victims and perpetrators of abuse, to Juvenile Court and legal issues, and more. Linda also became an art instructor for children in afterschool classes and summer camp.

Twenty-seven years and three wonderful children later, Linda, Tom, and their teen twin daughters moved back to Athens in early 2008. Linda became the CASA Volunteer Coordinator in September of 2009. She feels honored to be associated with CASA and is thrilled to be involved in such important and impactful work.