CASA SEEKS VOLUNTEERS, HELPS KIDS IN COURT

It's bad enough when a child is the victim of an abusive relationship or situation. But children can become lost in the court system where, as juveniles, their voices might not be heard.

That is where CASA -- Court Appointed Special Advocates -- comes into play.

"CASA volunteers serve as the voice of a child, an independent party who will represent the best interest of the child in court," said Bettie Knoll, president of the CASA organization that serves the courts in Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties.

"Volunteers mainly are involved in cases of abuse and neglect, where children have been victimized."

CASA is currently looking for volunteers to complete a free, 30-hour training course during the first three weeks of May, to become officers of the court.

The organization currently has eight trained volunteers ... and about 100 children in need of advocates.

"We want to stress that all of our current volunteers have full-time jobs," said Knoll. "That is why we have training in the evenings and on weekends -- to fit easily into the schedules of our volunteers."

Knoll said that volunteers are required to make all court dates for the child or children to which they are assigned, but other responsibilities can be fulfilled after working hours or on their own time.

CASA volunteers work with Guardians Ad Litem -- court-appointed attorneys for the children -- to fully investigate a child's case to determine what action should be taken by the court to best serve the child. Work performed by CASA volunteers on cases includes phone calls, interviews and other work the GAL may not have time for.

"Many people don't think they will have the time to devote to something like CASA, but it can be done," said Knoll. "There are only about three court appearances over the course of a year that a volunteer will have to attend; everything else can be done on their own time."

Prospective volunteers must fill out an application and are subject to an in-depth background investigation.

"We have to do background checks on volunteers because of the confidentiality which is required for such cases and because they will have access to court files," said Knoll. "Background checks can eliminate problems on down the road."

CASA was first introduced to this area by its state representative, Mary Kasten, in 1991. The first board meeting of the CASA group was Nov. 22, 1991, which led the way for the first training session, starting April 6, 1992.

Since its inception, the ultimate goals of CASA are to insure that children's immediate and long-term needs are met while in foster care; that a healthy, permanent placement is secured for each child in a timely fashion; to improve laws, policies and procedures that impact children; and to heighten public awareness and response to the needs of abused and neglected children.

In November of last year, CASA hired Michael Heston to serve as a part-time coordinator of volunteers. Heston will lead the training classes in May.

"We will train as many volunteers as we can get," said Knoll. "The more people we have involved with CASA, the more children can have someone to speak for them in the courts."

For applications or for more information, call Knoll at the Cape Girardeau Police Department at 335-1300, or Heston at 651-3556. Applications are due by April 1, in order that background checks can be run before training begins.