Facebook
Twitter
RSS![[Masthead]](http://www.marshallnews.com/images/nameplate.png)
RSS
Print
Email link
Respond to editor
Post comment
The volunteers are a part of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program. The 15th Judicial Court CASA program was founded in 2003 in Saline and Lafayette counties.
CASA volunteers are appointed by a judge when a child has been removed from their home due to allegations of abuse or neglect. They are trained to be independent investigators who work collaboratively with the Children's Division and the Deputy Juvenile Office. The volunteer will stay on the case until the child is either reunited with the family after the situation is remedied, or the child is placed in a permanent home.
CASA volunteers take only one or two cases at a time. This ensures that they are able to visit the child and gather facts from care-givers, schools, medical personnel and anyone providing services to the child while in the foster-care system.
According to CASA program director Robin McGinnity Connelly, CASA volunteers act as the "eyes and ears" of the judge. They visit foster children in their placements at least once a month (or more if needed). The volunteers each receive 32 hours of national CASA training, customized to match each local jurisdiction. Upon graduation they become "Officers of the Court" and are called to make written recommendations to the Judge as to what is in each child's best interest.
McGinnity Connelly said that CASA's mission is to advocate for the best interest of foster children. She said that they believe every child has a right to a safe, stable and permanent home as soon as possible.
The new CASA volunteers for Saline County are Nicole Krueger, Darin Mahon, Erica Sims, Kim Spence and Missy Thomas all of Marshall.
All of the new volunteers except Spence are students at Missouri Valley College. CASA and Sally Berger of MVC have started a partnership for psychology students at MVC. Students who participate in CASA training and accept a case from beginning to end can receive up to six college credits.
But the students aren't just doing it for the credits.
"It's great because it is an opportunity to help children," new volunteer Erica Sims said. "I'm so excited to take my first case."
McGinnity Connelly said that because of certain regulations one of her youngest volunteers, Darin Mahon, cannot accept a case until he is 21 years of age.
"He told his class at Valley that he couldn't wait until he turned 21 so that he could take his first case," McGinnity Connelly said.
In addition to the new volunteers, the CASA staff is expanding with the addition of retired state highway patrolman Leo Grothaus as the full-time coordinator in Marshall.
Grothaus will help recruit, train and manage the volunteers. Melinda Davis, who has served as a CASA volunteer for 13 years in Clay County, will become a part-time volunteer coordinator. Linda Yallay of Richmond will serve as administrative assistant.
The new volunteers join an existing staff of eight established volunteers. The local volunteers are Katie Sharon, Laura Johns, Jean Lubich and Terry Kindred all of Marshall; Nicci Rasa of Higginsville; and Clarice Duffet of Richmond.
While the staff is growing, more volunteers are always needed.
"There is definitely a huge need for this," Sims said. "We could use 10 times more advocates."
Judge Rolf, who often works with CASA volunteers, was pleased to add the new volunteers.
"I'm happy to see we've got more people interested in helping the children," Rolf said. "I'd like to encourage more people to get involved."
McGinnity Connelly said that anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact her at the CASA office in Lexington at (660) 259-4236.
"We really need volunteers," McGinnity Connelly said.
The next scheduled CASA training classes will be on Jan. 13 and 20, and Feb. 3 and 17 in Lexington.
On the Net:
Contact Zach Sims at marshallbusiness@socket.net