Rotarian and CASA Executive Director Kathy Meyer spoke to the club on April 19 about April being National Child Abuse Prevention Month. A CASA is appointed by a judge to advocate for the child who enters into foster care.  A CASA volunteer is matched to each case, which can include one or more children, and routinely visits the children in their placement getting to know the children. The CASA volunteer works to ensure appropriate physical and mental health assessments are completed and that the child’s needs are understood by the family and everyone involved in the case. CASA volunteers advocate for the best interest of a child and make informed recommendations for the child’s physical and emotional well-being to the judge. 
 

CASA volunteers stay by a child’s side throughout the case, advocating first for reunification when safe and possible. If reunifications is not safe or possible, CASA volunteers will advocate for the child to be adopted by, or live with, other relatives or family friends. If that is also not possible, CASA volunteers will work towards adoption by a non-relative. No matter what, CASA volunteers will keep in contact with the support network until the case closes so that everyone continues to put the child’s best interests first.

 

CASA will have a clay shoot on May 5 to raise money for the organization. Go to casahopeforchildren.org for more information about the or being a CASA.