CASA of Luzerne County names Aciukewicz as new executive director

The Board of Directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Luzerne County announced attorney John Aciukewicz has been hired as its executive director. Aciukewicz is a graduate of Gettysburg College and the Dickinson School of Law. He has been a practicing attorney in Luzerne County since 1984.

Aciukewicz resides in Trucksville with his wife, Beth. They are the parents of three sons: Josh, 29; Zach, 26, and Aaron, 22.

In 2015, 483 children in Luzerne County were removed from their homes as a result of abuse and/or neglect. The CASA concept is based upon the commitment that every child has the right to a safe, permanent home. Volunteers are screened and trained to become Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). They are then appointed by a judge to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children in court. A CASA is empowered through the court’s order to access all records needed to gain insight into the child’s situation. The volunteer is an officer of the court and speaks exclusively for the child.

The CASA volunteer handles one case at a time, gathering facts, evaluating and gaining insight to make a conclusion on what is in the child’s best interest, providing the judge with an independent report and recommendation.

“We feel fortunate to have Mr. Aciukewicz leading CASA of Luzerne County,” said Christine M. Jensen, chairwoman of the board of directors, in a prepared statement. “Aciukewicz brings a wealth of leadership and experience. He helped to establish CASA in Luzerne County when he identified a need for advocates for children in the dependency system. He has worked tirelessly as a volunteer to make CASA a reality in Luzerne County and we welcome him to this new role as leader of the organization.” We welcome user discussion on our site, under the following guidelines:

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CASA of Luzerne County Needs Help to Aid Vulnerable Kids

By Mark Hiller PLAINS TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A local non-profit is working to give abused and neglected children a voice. It's called CASA of Luzerne County. CASA stands for court appointed special advocates.

Although CASA has been around nationally for nearly four decades, it's only existed in Luzerne County three years. Officials say the local group is growing and making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable children.

A woman's voice can be heard in a public service announcement for CASA saying, "I am for the child who's had seven addresses in a single year." The girl depicted in the PSA needs lifting up. She is a victim of abuse and neglect. "Unfortunately, I believe it is a big problem and I think it's significant in a sense of just the numbers," said CASA of Luzerne County Advocate Supervisor Sandy Serafin.

Ms. Serafin said CASA of Luzerne County is currently helping more than 40 neglected and abused children countywide. CASA relies on volunteer advocates who undergo 30 hours of training and 10 hours spent observing court cases and procedures. "We're looking for someone with a big heart and a willingness to devote time to neglected and abused children," she said.

Unlike Children and Youth Services which may assign a caseworker to several families, Each CASA advocate deals with one family at a time. Ms. Serafin said, "I think what it does is it just provides a little bit more attention to the children."

The mission of CASA requires money so the group is in the midst of planning a major fundraiser. It's holding an end of September event called CASAblanca - a night of casino tables and delicious cuisine. "Funding for non-profits is a real challenge these days," said Volunteer Advocate Will Conyngham who encourages the public's support. "You've got to do all you can to strengthen the resources of your cause," he said.

CASAblanca is happening Thursday night, September 29th, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Tickets are $95 each. You can learn more about the event or volunteering by clicking here.