22nd Judicial District CASA and CARE Cottage Child Advocacy Center break ground for new facilty

July 28, 2026 (ADA, OK) -- Executive Director Bekah Roberts was joined by the CASA and CARE Cottage Board of Directors and staff, CASA volunteers, members of the multidisciplinary team including the Associate District Judge Lori Jackson, Ada Police Department, Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department, Pontotoc County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Human Services, Chickasaw Nation Indian Child Welfare, the District 22 District Attorney’s Office, Sheppard Homes, Redland Childers Architects, the City of Ada, and many other community members and organizations. 

In 2025, CASA and CARE Cottage provided services to 389 children. The new 2300 square-foot building, which will be next door to the current facility, will house offices, a conference and training room, and space for CASA volunteers. The addition of the new building will also allow for a remodel of the current facility, providing more space to the families and multidisciplinary team members utilizing the CARE Cottage Child Advocacy Center. The Chickasaw Nation has generously donated funds to cover the remodel of CARE Cottage, as well as the installation of an outside playground and security fencing. CASA and CARE Cottage are grateful for the Chickasaw Nation’s partnership.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) trains community volunteers to advocate for children in the foster care system. CARE Cottage Child Advocacy Center works with a multidisciplinary team to provide forensic interviews, medical exams, and advocacy services to children when there are allegations of abuse or neglect. 

“Let it be known that, yes, we are breaking ground on this project,” Roberts said, “but we are also breaking cycles and patterns. And while we break ground, we break open healing and freedom for generations to come.” 

For more information, or to submit a CASA volunteer application, please visit adacasa.org, adacarecottage.org, or call 580-332-1441. "