CASA Graduates ready for challenge

Several local individuals began their journey as Court Appointed Special Advocates Tuesday afternoon as they were sworn in during a ceremony presided over by Judge Dennis Rolf at the county courthouse.

The mission of the 15th Judicial Circuit CASA program is to advocate for children in foster care in Lafayette and Saline counties through trained volunteers. The CASA volunteers won’t have to wait long before they’re put to good use — one began her advocacy work just following Tuesday’s ceremony, said CASA executive director Robin Connelly.

By providing a consistent presence in the lives of foster children, volunteers are in contact with those who are important in the lives of each child. CASA volunteers provide the judge with information so he can make an informed decision on the child’s future, while remaining the child’s advocate until they reside in a safe, permanent home.

The volunteers report directly to the judge and are guided by CASA staff in making objective and fact-based recommendations to the court.

“Our mission is to help child victims of abuse and neglect find safer, more stable homes as soon as possible,” said Connelly. “CASA volunteers are the voice of a child in court, acting as the eyes and ears of a judge. They make the commitment to visit the child in the home at least once a month. They gain the knowledge of what the child needs and wants while in child care.”

Connelly said that more volunteers are needed to step up and fill a large and growing need. The next round of training for 15th Judicial Circuit Court CASA volunteers will be held June 2 in Concordia.

“We have nearly 100 kids in care, and right now we have about 65 represented. Our goal is to raise 20 more CASA volunteers by this summer,” said Connelly. “The national CASA goal is to have one CASA volunteer for every child in care, and we’re almost there. We’re real excited about it.”

Connelly adds the program hopes to meet that goal by next fall.

The CASA program came to Lafayette County in 2006, growing steadily since that time. Currently housed in the Deputy Juvenile Office on Main Street, Connelly said with that expansion has come the need for more space.

“We are looking to move into a larger space so we can continue to grow the program in Lafayette County,” remarked Connelly.

Amy Meyers, Chief Juvenile Officer for the 15th Judicial District, applauded Connelly for her work in expanding the program.

“CASA is a wonderful program and we had been looking for it to come to Lafayette County for some time. Robin has done an excellent job recruiting, building and training,” commented Meyers, who added the CASA program has been an invaluable tool for the court.

“I am so grateful for our CASA program,” said Meyers. “They help keep our cases moving. The CASAs by seeing the families or the kids are able to provide more information when we’re in court, and they also bring in different ideas to court. And struggling for resources has always been difficult for our families.”

Meyers also commended the dedication and caring of the volunteers.

“These volunteers do this without pay because they’ve got a concern for the kids and their families,” adds Meyers.

Volunteers must undergo 32 hours of national CASA curriculum in order to graduate from training. For more information on becoming a CASA volunteer, call 259-4236.