Community CASA Information Meeting

Description

CASA needs help - Community members interested in advocating for abused children invited to meeting CASA of the Bluegrass has an urgent need for more volunteer advocates. Members of the community can positively impact the lives of abused and neglected children by serving as court appointed advocates. CASA will host an information meeting Thursday Oct. 8, 2015 beginning at 6:00 PM at the Paul Sawyier Library ? Sower Board Room. The meeting will give participants a chance to hear the program?s staff describe the role and responsibilities of a CASA volunteer in detail and answer any questions. Volunteer applications will be on site, as well as, copies of the core training schedule. Once completed applications are returned, interested volunteers will be contacted by staff to schedule a personal interview. The CASA Volunteer Advocate Training consists of court observation, in-class sessions and brief homework. Training for this fall will begin October 27, 2015 at 5:30 PM at the CASA of the Bluegrass office, 315 West Main Street, Frankfort, KY. About CASA A Court Appointed Special Advocate is a trained community volunteer appointed by The Honorable Squire Williams, our Family Court Judge of Franklin County. They speak up for the best interests of abused, neglected or dependent children in Franklin County who are brought before court for reasons of abuse, neglect or dependency and bring urgency to a child?s needs, both in and out of the courtroom. CASA volunteers advocate for safety, permanency and well-being for children through independent recommendations. The role of the volunteer is defined in KRS Chapter 620.00, and must comply with the National CASA Association and KY CASA Association Standards for Programs. Effective CASA volunteers are concerned for the well-being of children and see the importance of advocating for a child until a safe, permanent home is obtained. Volunteers must be objective, nonjudgmental and able to interact with people of various educational, economic and ethnic backgrounds. CASA calls, community answers CASA Volunteers are dedicated individuals connected by one goal ? being part of the solution to child abuse and neglect. Last year, community members answered CASA?s call, deciding it is the undeniable human right of every child to grow in a safe and nurturing home. These concerned people took the next step ? speaking up for those children by becoming advocates. CASA of the Bluegrass has served the community for 15 years, growing to 116 fully trained volunteers who help close cases every year. Closing a case means a child has been successfully reunited with family members or has been placed in a safe, secure and permanent home, not languishing in long-term foster care or treatment facility. CASA volunteers join the movement to change the life of a child. CASA of the Bluegrass is a Frankfort United Way partner. IF YOU GO - CASA Volunteer Information Meeting 6:00 PM October 8, 2015 in the Paul Sawyier Library?s Sower Board Room Applications and training schedules will be available For more information, call Shirley Elkin at 502-875-0702 or email Shirley@CASAofthebluegrass.org.