Local judge trying to help kids in foster care

According to White County General Sessions Judge John Meadows, who also hears cases in juvenile court for both White and Van Buren counties, there are more than 60 White County children currently in foster care.

With that volume in mind, Meadows is spearheading a movement to bring an advocacy program to White County aimed at serving those children.  

“Case workers change; children are moved from one home to another – in fact, 44 of our county’s foster children aren’t even housed in White County right now. they are in homes from one end of the state to the other,” Meadows said. “CASA will give each child one dedicated volunteer advocate. That’s one person who will be a constant in that child’s life. One person they know is showing up.” 

Tennessee's Court Appointed Special Advocates program, or CASA, is a statewide program that has served 4,734 children in 2025. CASA statistics show 85 percent of juvenile court judges who have a CASA program in their district report involvement from a program volunteer had a positive impact on finding permanency for the child involved.  

Meadows said neither White nor Van Buren County, which currently has nineteen children in foster care, currently has CASA programs. However, the majority of surrounding counties in the Upper Cumberland have had success using CASA.  

The CASA program is starting a chapter in White County, with Meadows at the forefront of getting information to the community. He has organized a community meeting for Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, at 12 noon. The meeting will take place at the White County Justice Center.  

“I would encourage any organization that would like to help us in getting this program started, or any community service minded individual who might be interested in learning more, to come and learn more,” Meadows said. 

The purpose of the Jan. 9 meeting is not to enlist volunteer advocates, but instead to gather a group of people who might serve as board members or assist in launching the program.  

While registration is not required, Meadows suggested RSVPing as refreshments will be provided. RSVPs can be sent via email to marla.neal@whitecountytn.gov while more information about the CASA program can be found at www.tncasa.org.