Saturday, September 04, 2010
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CASA Volunteer
 (Adapted from National CASA Document)
 
What is a CASA Volunteer?
 
A CASA Of Calloway and Marshall Counties, Inc. is a trained volunteer appointed by a family court judge to speak for the best interests of an abused and/or neglected child. A CASA volunteer is an official part of the judicial proceedings, working alongside attorneys and social workers. By handling only one or two cases at a time, a CASA volunteer has time to thoroughly explore the history and circumstances of each assigned case.
 
A CASA volunteer must be at least 21 years old and complete 30 hours of the comprehensive National CASA Curriculum through independent studies, small group instruction, panel discussions, court observations, and is assigned to a "seasoned" volunteer advocate.  Training includes courtroom procedure, social services processes, the juvenile justice system, and the dynamics of child abuse and neglect.
 
An advocate works closely with the child(ren) and family to bring an independent assessment of the case to court and help prevent the child(ren) from becoming "lost" in the child welfare system.
 
 
According to KRS 620.525 the duties of a CASA volunteer are to: 
  • Advocate a prompt, thorough review of the case if the child needs attention;
  • Maintain complete records about the case;
  • Report any incidents of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities and the CASA Program Director;
  • Interview parties involved in the case, including interviewing and observing the child(ren); 
  • Monitor the case by visiting the child(ren) as often as necessary to observe whether the child(ren)’s essential needs are being met and whether Court Orders are being carried out;
  • Participate in any treatment planning conferences and reviews involving the child(ren) in order to keep informed of the child(ren)’s permanent plan; and,
  • Assure the child(ren)’s best interests are being represented in every stage of the disposition of the case, including attendance at all court hearings and making a written recommendation to the judge on what decision would be best for the child(ren). 
Although CASA volunteers work with others involved in the case, they remain independent.
 
Contact the CASA office @ casacc@murray-ky.net or phone 270-761-0164 for a Volunteer Advocate application!!!
 
 

WITH MUCH APPRECIATION TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTED TRAINED CASA VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR TREMENDOUS DEDICATION IN ADVOCATING FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN IN CALLOWAY AND MARSHALL COUNTY FAMILY COURT: 

 

David Atkinson

Suzan Bugg

Linda Cherry

Joy Greene

Michael Green

Mirinda Hall

Karen Hartman

Rose Holliday

Jackie Kennedy

Bernadette King

Peggy Marino

Sue O’Neill

Diana Riedel

Joanne Rogers

Juanita Sells

Linda Smith

Travis Terrell

        
                                                 
 
 A special thank you to Lois Pharris for serving as our CASA Training Assistant and to Erin Bugg who serves as a non-advocate volunteer in the CASA office, and to Perry Rogers for preparing CASA name badges.
 
MARSHALL COUNTY CASA OF 2010:  MIRINDA HALL    
CALLOWAY COUNTY CASA OF 2010:  BERNADETTE KING
  1003 Poplar Street, Murray, Kentucky  42071
Phone/Fax:  270-761-0164
 
  
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