CASA OF THE BLUEGRASS

News release

CASA of the Bluegrass has an urgent need for more volunteer advocates. Members of our community can positively impact the lives of abused and neglected children by serving as court appointed advocates.      

CASA is hosting a volunteer advocate informational /orientation meeting 6 p.m. Feb. 27 at the CASA of the Bluegrass Danville Office.  At this meeting you will gather specific information on the role of a CASA volunteer along with information on the upcoming volunteer training.  

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained community volunteer appointed by Family Court Judge Bruce Petrie,  for the 50th Judicial Circuit. They speak up for the best interests of abused, neglected or dependency children in Boyle and Mercer counties 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, permanence and well-being for children through independent recommendations. The role of the volunteer is defined in Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS) Chapter 620.00 and must comply with the National CASA Association and Kentucky CASA Association Standards for Programs.

Volunteer training consists of court observation, in-class sessions and pre-work. Training for the March session will begin 5 p.m. March 6  at the CASA office.  For directions and/or additional information, call Jessica R. Johnson at (859) 936-3546 or email Jessica@casaofthebluegrass.org.

If you are concerned for the well-being of children in your community and see the importance of advocating for a child until a safe and permanent home is obtained — you could be an effective CASA volunteer.

If you are objective and are able to interact with people of various educational, economic and ethnic backgrounds — you could be an effective CASA volunteer.

In 2017, CASA of the Bluegrass advocated for 296 individual child victims, and assisted in closing 141 cases and finding permanency for 141 children- ensuring that they have a safe and permanent home. The disheartening news is that there are still nearly 200 children waiting for a CASA in Boyle and Mercer Counties.

We need more dedicated individuals to add to our outstanding volunteer program.  We have the cure to child abuse. It lies within each of us. Please become part of the solution to end child abuse and neglect by becoming a CASA volunteer!

Last year, 118 of your neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family members decided that it is the undeniable human right of every child to grow in a safe and nurturing home and they took the next step- to speak for those children by becoming volunteer advocates.

CASA of the Bluegrass has now served this community for 12 years and has grown to 118 fully trained volunteers who help close cases every year. Closing a case means a child has been successfully reunified with family members or has been placed in a safe, secure and permanent home, not languishing in a long-term foster care or treatment facility. Become a CASA volunteer and join our movement in changing the life of a child. CASA of the Bluegrass is a Heart of Kentucky United Way partner.