CHILD-ADVOCATE GROUP SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

A CASA volunteer can have some grueling experiences, but Pam Jenkins wouldn't trade those tough times for anything.

Jenkins joined the Court Appointed Special Advocate program as a volunteer six years ago and is now the director. She admits that sometimes the settings aren't ideal, but that's exactly why CASA volunteers are needed to speak for children.

Children seldom come to court and that's why CASA volunteers work for their best interests, she said. "It's very rewarding to work for the child and to know you did something that affects their life."

CASA is looking for a new class of volunteers who can work to advocate for children. The volunteers are trained and authorized by the court to investigate and speak for children who have been abused or neglected in some way. Many times the children have been placed in foster care or are living with a relative other than their parent.

CASA volunteers work within the 32nd Judicial Circuit, which covers Bollinger, Cape Girardeau and Perry counties. Each volunteer works as part of a team with the child's attorney, Division of Family Services caseworker and family to find the best solution to the problem.

There are about 25 volunteers serving now but that doesn't cover the caseload. "We could easily use double it," Jenkins said, adding that sometimes volunteers take two cases because there aren't enough people.

The volunteers work with juvenile cases and child protection order cases, which are similar to ex-parte orders. There are now 41 active cases divided between 20 volunteers.

CASA volunteers must be 21 or older, complete 30 hours of training, undergo a criminal and background check and commit to working on at least one case.

For information, contact the CASA office at 335-1726.