Our History
Beginnings
Founded in 1991 by a coalition of concerned professionals and community members, The CASIE Center was created to improve the way children are supported during the investigation of child abuse and neglect. Through the leadership of Prosecuting Attorney Michael P. Barnes and the support of the Junior League of South Bend, Memorial Hospital, and the Division of Family and Children, the St. Joseph County Children’s Center officially opened in January 1994. The Center was established to reduce trauma for children by limiting repeated interviews, coordinating investigations, and creating a child-focused environment for healing and justice.
Forging Partnerships
In its early years, the organization developed several innovative prevention and intervention programs in partnership with local schools, courts, and child-serving agencies, including a truancy prevention program, family support services, teen pregnancy prevention, and court preparation programs for child victims.
Becoming CASIE
In 1997, the agency became The CASIE (Child Abuse Services, Investigation and Education) Center to better reflect its mission and distinguish it from other organizations. Around this time, specially trained forensic interviewers became a core part of the multidisciplinary response to child abuse investigations, strengthening collaboration among child protection services, law enforcement, and prosecutors.
Community Leadership
Over the decades, The CASIE Center has become a trusted leader in child advocacy and multidisciplinary response efforts in St. Joseph County and throughout Indiana. In 2002, the St. Joseph County Special Victims Unit (SVU) was established in partnership with the Prosecutor’s Office, further strengthening coordinated investigations of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault.
Continued Growth
In 2011, grants from the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County and the National Children’s Alliance made it possible to open the Clinic at CASIE, providing specialized forensic medical examinations for children and teens in a safe, child-friendly setting.
A New Home
To support continued growth and collaboration, The CASIE Center relocated to its current home at 533 N. Niles Avenue in South Bend in 2013. The facility was designed to bring together key partner agencies and provide a welcoming, supportive environment for children and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Expansion
In 2023, CASIE expanded its prevention efforts to include the implementation of a county-wide Safety Matters Program focused on meeting the state mandate created by Erin’s Law. This law requires public schools in Indiana to provide age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention education for students, as well as training for school staff on recognizing and reporting abuse. The law is designed to empower children with personal safety knowledge and encourage trusted adult communication while helping adults identify signs of abuse early.
In 2025, we added Bullying and Digital Safety lessons, also required by law for students in Indiana.
Today and Into The Future
Today, The CASIE Center continues its mission to prevent child abuse, support children and families, and coordinate compassionate, effective responses to abuse and neglect throughout our community.