CASA OF THE BLUEGRASS

News release    

CASA of the Bluegrass is hosting a volunteer advocate informational/orientation meeting at 6 p.m. on Sept. 24 at the CASA of the Bluegrass Danville Office. At this meeting potential volunteers will gather specific information on the role of a CASA volunteer along with information on the upcoming CASA Volunteer training.

CASA Volunteer Training consists of court observation, in-class sessions and pre-work. Training for the October session will begin on Monday, Oct. 8, at 5:15 p.m. at the CASA of the Bluegrass office. For directions or additional information, contact Jessica R. Johnson at CASA of the Bluegrass — (859) 936-3510 or jessica@casaofthebluegrass.org.

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained community volunteer appointed by the Hon. Bruce Petrie, family court judge for the 50th Judicial Circuit. They speak up for the best interests of children in Boyle and Mercer counties who are brought before court for reasons of abuse, neglect, or dependency. They 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.

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 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 they have a safe and permanent home. There are still nearly 200 children waiting for a CASA in Boyle and Mercer Counties.

CASA of the Bluegrass has now served the communities in Boyle and Mercer counties for 13 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 a 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. More information is available online at www.casaofthebluegrass.com.