Valley CASA program needs volunteers

The Valley CASA (court-appointed special advocate) program has advocated for more than 45 children in the past two years, with 18 CASAs volunteering 1,083 hours. But help is needed in the form of more volunteers.

The Valley CASA program is hosting a 32-hour training program, starting Feb. 3. The cases average 12-15 hours each month, and community volunteers agree to commit to the child until the case is resolved.

A CASA is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court.

The advocate prepares a recommendation for the judge by talking with the child, parents, and others who are knowledgeable about the child's history and their needs.

They then facilitate, advocate, and monitor the case as it travels through the child protection system.

Each day in America, 8,775 children are reported as abused or neglected. More than 58,000 CASA volunteers nationwide help children replace fear with hope.

According to local organizers, volunteers come from all walks of life, with a variety of educational and ethnic backgrounds. The only background or equipment needed is the heart to care for some of the most vulnerable children in our community -- and the determination to do something about it, they said.

The Valley CASA program has worked with the Office of Children's Services to provide backpacks and quilts for every child who enters state custody.

Volunteers have raised $2,000 for pajamas, hats, gloves and infant clothing. The Valley Quilters Guild, dozens of quilts have been given to children to comfort them as they are placed in foster care.

For more information about the CASA program, or to sign up for the upcoming training session, interested people can contact Pamela Holen at 357-8498.