Saturday, September 04, 2010
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Saturday, September 04, 2010 |
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About CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
What is the CASA program?
 The CASA Program of Calloway and Marshall Counties, Inc., is a nonprofit organization which provides trained volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in Family Court. In 2006, CASA served 53 children in Calloway County, an increase of 18% from 2005. There are currently over 900 CASA programs nationwide and 20 programs in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
The expansion of the CASA program into Marshall County began in September 2007, due in large part to the award of an expansion grant from the National CASA Association and the support of the Family Court Judge of Calloway and Marshall Counties, the Honorable Rob Mattingly.
During 2009, CASA of Calloway and Marshall Counties, Inc. served 135 abused/neglected children.
How is CASA authorized to participate in cases? The Kentucky General Assembly recognized the need for CASA through legislation as reported in KRS 620.500, et seq. How is CASA of CASA of Calloway and Marshall Counties, Inc., is guided by a Board of Directors which oversees the activities of the organization. What are some of the projects in which CASA of Calloway and Marshall Counties, Inc. is involved? "CASA Cares" bears -- Teddy bears are provided to the family court for distribution to children the first time they must testify in court. What is a CASA volunteer? According to KRS 620.500, a CASA volunteer is “a person who completes training through and is supervised by a CASA program and appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of dependent, abused, or neglected children in court.” To what information is a CASA volunteer entitled? According to KRS 620.520 (2), a duly appointed “CASA volunteer shall have access to all information and records pertaining to the child including, but not limited to, the records of the following entities: the cabinet; child-caring facilities operated or licensed by the cabinet; public and private schools; physical and mental health care providers; law enforcement agencies; and other entities deemed appropriate by the court.” According to KRS 620.520 (3), “(w)ith court approval, the CASA volunteer may have access to information and records pertaining to the parents or persons exercising custodial control or supervision of the child assigned to the CASA volunteer….”
A special thank you to Donna Holsten for preparing the CASA Bear Bibs! 1003 Poplar Street, Murray, Kentucky 42071 Phone/Fax: 270-761-0164
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