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The Court-Appointed Special Advocates program of the 15th Judicial Circuit “graduated” six new volunteers on Tuesday as they embark on their mission to act as the voice for abused and neglected children in the court and welfare system.
During a ceremony held at the Lafayette County Courthouse, Circuit Court Judge Dennis Rolf officially swore in the new advocates — who hail from Lafayette and Saline counties — as officers of the court. Taking the oath were Mary Covert of Wellington, Kim Blackburn and Cynthia Carraway of Higginsville, Angela Moore of Henrietta, and Phil Thornton and Alicesen Morgan of Marshall.
Each had to apply to become an advocate, then be interviewed before being accepted to undertake the necessary training. The volunteers went through 32 hours of intense training in March and April covering areas such as juvenile law, child development, family crises, child abuse and neglect, and communicating with children as a CASA advocate. Volunteer coordinator Leo Grothaus assisted with the training.
CASA director Robin McGinnity Connelly said the new advocates have helped CASA reach a milestone.
“We now have 43 advocates trained in Lafayette County. The goal for the past three years has been to have one advocate for each child, and now we’ve done that,” said Connelly. “We’re proud to have people on a waiting list; it’s a good problem to have.”
CASA volunteers work to ensure that abused and neglected children don’t fall through the cracks of the system. The volunteers typically work one case at a time in their efforts to help children find safe, permanent and stable homes. A total of 83 children found such homes in 2008 through the 15th Judicial Circuit CASA program.
CASA volunteers present the court with information regarding what is in the best interest of the child. Volunteers develop a trusting relationship with the child, and also talk with parents, family members, social workers and others involved in the child’s life as they prepare their recommendations.
“They provide relevant, fact-based court reports that are in the best interest of the children,” said Connelly.
Connelly added the volunteers also work collaboratively with the Lafayette County Juvenile Office and various service providers to help the children heal emotionally from abuse.
Covert, a retired teacher and nurse social worker, said she’s looking forward to helping children who find themselves in a vulnerable position.
“The statistics prove that children who have advocates don’t go back into the welfare system. They find safety and stability in permanent homes,” remarked Covert. “The welfare system does not have to keep supporting them because they have a friend who will speak to the judge in their behalf.”
Covert adds these children often get lost in the system.
“Sometimes they hesitate to talk to foster parents or their real parents. Sometimes a child gets scared of an abusive parent so they say what they want to hear. That’s where an advocate steps in,” she said.
Anyone interested in undergoing training to become a CASA volunteer can contact Connelly at 660-259-2590 or email casarobin@yahoo.com
The next round of training will be held in the fall.
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