CHILD ADVOCATE GROUP NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

Volunteers are needed to represent children in area courts.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) will provide a free, 30-hour training course during September for adults wishing to become officers of the court. CASA is a volunteer-based organization operating in every state in the nation.

Interviews will begin Aug. 23, with classes later at the Robert A. Dempster Hall on the campus of Southeast Missouri State University.

Child advocates are trained and empowered by the court to investigate and advocate for abused and neglected children in the 32nd Judicial Court, which includes Cape, Bollinger and Perry counties.

They work with guardians ad litem -- court-appointed attorneys for children under 17 -- to fully investigate a child's case to determine what action should be taken by the court. Work performed by CASA volunteers includes making telephone calls, conducting interviews, reviewing case files and making court appearances.

CASA was first introduced to Southeast Missouri by state Rep. Mary Kasten in 1991.

Since its inception, volunteers have worked to meet the following goals: to ensure that children's immediate and long-term needs are met while in foster care; to make a healthy, permanent placement 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.

To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, contact Pam Jenkins at 335-1726.