Without court appointed CASA guardian ad-Litems, America’s at risk children have no voice in the homes they are raised in or during the years they live as state wards in foster care.
Some states (Virginia most recently) are moving toward forcing children back into homes where they have been sexually abused and tortured. The World Health Organization defines torture as “Extended exposure to violence and deprivation”.
Every child in my child protection caseload as a CASA volunteer was tortured (most of them for two to four years). My CASA children had been tied to a bed, left alone for days (four years old), prostituted & sexually abused (as young as 2 years old), beaten and starved.
CASA guardian ad-Litems can be (the only) a voice for a child in a toxic home.
Learn more about how you can reach out in your community to help troubled children. If the program doesn’t exist where you live, contact national CASA and find out how to start one.
Continue reading the collection of recent articles on and about the guardian ad-Litem program around the nation. Feel free to submit your own stories as comments.
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| Volunteers sought to help with child abuse cases Citizens Voice WILKES-BARRE – The Pennsylvania Court–Appointed Special Advocate Association is looking for volunteers to be advocates for abused or neglected children in Luzerne County Court cases, officials said Thursday. The Luzerne County program started in … See all stories on this topic » |
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| CASA volunteers advocate for children Herald Times Reporter MANITOWOC — Four more volunteers will be sworn in as advocates for abused and neglected children through Manitowoc County’s Court Appointed Special Advocate Program at the end of the month, according to director Julie Ribley. That will bring to 14 … See all stories on this topic » |
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| Statewide ‘Teen Connection’ tackles growing child abuse, neglect Green Bay Press Gazette Also appearing are Adrienne Fletcher, clinical social worker with Court Appointed Special Advocates of Brown County, and Joshua Puls, prevention specialist with Reach Counseling. The program opens the 24th season of “Teen Connection,” which brings … See all stories on this topic » |
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| CASA makes a difference in young lives Shelbyville Times-Gazette Gayle Cotten and Beth Christopher accepted the challenge to support area children by training to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate, and consider their experience invaluable. A new training session begins next week. (T-G photo by Jim Davis) … See all stories on this topic » |
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| Family & Youth Services Bureau Fall 2012 Newsletter ValpoLife.com The Court Appointed Special Advocate—also known as the CASA volunteer—is assigned to work with a child who has been abused and/or neglected. After visiting with the child over a period of time, the CASA prepares a detailed assessment of the case and … See all stories on this topic » |
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| ‘Hope’ to light path for Melisha Cleveland Daily Banner Thursday evening, hundreds of people will honor her memory by participating in the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) third annual Melisha Gibson “Light of Hope Moonlight Walk.” The event will begin at 7 p.m. at the Cleveland/Bradley County … See all stories on this topic » |
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| Colorado Senate District 23: Lee Kemp Longmont Daily Times-Call Court Appointed Special Advocate caseworker and board member, 10 years. Education: High school, Copley, Ohio; Metropolitan State College of Denver. Name a person you admire and why: Mike Barnett, Vietnam vet, Bronze Star awardee and mentor. See all stories on this topic » |
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| Little ‘casa’ supports CASA Herald Times Reporter Mishicot High School students, all of whom were seniors last year, work on a playhouse last semester that will be raffled off during Pumpkinfest to benefit CASA, the Manitowoc County Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. The students are, from left … See all stories on this topic » |
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| A hoedown fundraiser for CASA is scheduled at Delta Party Barn Los Banos Enterprise As a Court Appointed Special Advocate, she tries to be the consistency foster children need in a life of neglect, relocation and court dates. “We’re the grandma the kid doesn’t have, the aunt the kid doesn’t have, the person who remembers to call and … See all stories on this topic » |
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| Macon County welcomes six new court–appointed special advocates … DECATUR — After spending a full morning together in court Wednesday, newly sworn Macon County court–appointed special advocates weren’t the only ones … herald-review.com/…/article_4199ab18-1360-11e2-be0e-001… |
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| Events > Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Training … Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Training … voice by attending orientation to learn more about becoming CASA volunteer advocate. visit website … search.visaliatimesdelta.com/…//11117-Court-Appointed-Speci… |
| Abused child program endures cuts Coos Bay World Coos County’s Court Appointed Special Advocate program, run through Oregon Coast Community Action, had to temporarily lay off both of its full-time volunteer coordinators. ‘We’re not cutting back on the program at all,” said Twila Vesey, the program … See all stories on this topic » |
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| Edmond volunteers become child advocates Edmond Sun EDMOND — Five child advocates from Edmond recently graduated from CASA University and were sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates, along with 18 other metro area residents. As volunteers they will serve as the “eyes and ears” of the court and … See all stories on this topic » |
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| Child advocacy group plans tax credit push Springfield News-Leader The tax credit drove significant giving to organizations addressing child neglect — such as Isabel’s House, Court–Appointed Special Advocates of Southwest Missouri, all Child Advocacy Centers and the Pregnancy Care Center — giving that these groups … See all stories on this topic » |
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| CASA swears in new volunteer advocates Mineral Wells Index New Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers recently sworn in by the Honorable Jerry Ray, 29th State District judge, pictured in the center, are, from left, Myra Lawrence, Drusilla Howell, Linda Menchaca and Patricia Whitlow. For more information … See all stories on this topic » |
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| Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) of Ulster County’s 3rd … Saugerties Post Star Cycle for a cause and join Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children of Ulster County’s (CASA) 3rd Annual Spin-A-Thon FUNraiser! The Spin-a-Thon will be held on Sunday, November 11, 2012 from 11 A.M. – 2 P.M., at the YMCA of Kingston and Ulster … See all stories on this topic » |
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| Chief petty officer helps advocate for foster children So Md News Volunteers soughtTo be trained as a court appointed special advocate, one must complete 30 hours of training. There is a minimum commitment of one year or the duration of the child’s case upon completion of training. Twelve hours of in-service training … See all stories on this topic » |
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| Mid-Ozark CASA’s newest volunteer will be assigned to Dent County foster … The Salem News Lydia Reiter is the newest Mid-Ozark Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer. The mission of the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they … See all stories on this topic » |
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| Judges swear in new Court Appointed Special Advocates for children PHOTO COURTESY OF CASA OF KENT COUNTY. by Cynthia Price Legal News . The vital functions of CASA volunteers, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, … www.legalnews.com/grandrapids/1369112/ |
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| James Mitcheltree receives award for his work with Court Appointed … Since the fall of 2009, James has volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (or. CASA), advocating for children who are under the protection of the … www.casahelpskids.org/…/2011-11-01-The-Standard-Honors-… |
| Rescue Cenla’s Child 2012 honors foster parents Alexandria Town Talk November is National Adoption Awareness Month, and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services in Alexandria will partner with Court Appointed Special Advocates, Sanctuary of Praise in Pineville and Renegade Harley-Davidson to Rescue … See all stories on this topic » |
| 17 sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates for Missoula children The Missoulian The Court Appointed Special Advocates of Missoula officially welcomed 17 new volunteers Tuesday during a swearing-in ceremony at the Missoula County Courthouse. It’s a large class for the Missoula program, which now has 85 advocates who help give a … See all stories on this topic » |
| Heart of Colorado Court Appointed Special Advocates serves up special coffee … Canon City Daily Record CASA Coffee art competition winners stand with Magistrate Larry Allen and two new CASA volunteers Friday in a courtroom of the Fremont County Courthouse. Pictured in the front row from the left are Quinn Langley, fourth grade, Harrison K-8 School; … See all stories on this topic » |
| Child advocate organization seeks to expand into Callaway Fulton Sun Heart of Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocates for children (CASA), which serves children in foster care in the 13th Judicial Circuit, is hosting a launch event from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Hermann Lounge at Westminster College in Fulton to … See all stories on this topic » |
| CASA’s ‘Adopt a Kid’ program a success Leavenworth Times Each year the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program in Judicial District 16, which includes Dodge City, reaches out to local businesses and organizations asking them to ‘adopt’ a CASA child for the holiday season. By adopting a child they … See all stories on this topic » |
| Wells Fargo Donates $10000 to Texas CASA Sacramento Bee 15, 2012 — /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Wells Fargo recently awarded Texas CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates®) a $10,000 grant to fund five cultural development trainings in Texas for volunteers, social workers, attorneys and others who work … See all stories on this topic » |
| 4 new volunteer child advocates complete their training Rome News Tribune Four new Court Appointed Special Advocates volunteers who have successfully completed 40 hours of specialized training were sworn in recently by Juvenile Court Judge Timothy Pape. CASA volunteers are assigned to a foster child’s case and advocate for … See all stories on this topic » |
| Child abuse and neglect cases spike in local state WPSD Local 6 It stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. “We have children coming into care,” said Fitts. Fitts coordinates volunteers to act as advocates for children whose abuse cases make it to court. And in the past year, she’s felt the spike and longed … See all stories on this topic » |
| San Juan CASA honors volunteer Farmington Daily Times But this year the child advocacy group, an entirely volunteer-run program of Childhaven, reserved its Volunteer-of-the-Year award for “the shampoo lady.” Billie Curnutt, 67, accepted the award at the luncheon, a framed child’s landscape painting … See all stories on this topic » |
| CHS carpentry project to aid child abuse prevention Calhountimes The Gordon County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program utilizes trained community volunteers. CASA volunteers are central to fulfilling society’s most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified, compassionate adult will fight for and … See all stories on this topic » |
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| Day View – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Pulaski … Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Pulaski County. Making a difference one child at a time. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Pulaski … www.pulaskicountycasa.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=mf… |
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| Do you LOVE Children? — As Seen on Dr. Phil: Court Appointed … Court Appointed Special Advocates for Foster Children (CASA) offers the opportunity to serve your community through “Do you LOVE Children? — As Seen on … www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp1247082.jsp |
| Week view – The Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocate … The Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocate Association. I Am for the Child. The Missouri Court Appointed Special Advocate Association · Home · About … mocasa.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=week&daterequest=11/… |
| Court Appointed Special Advocates of Mendocino and Lake counties awarded … Lake County Record-Bee LAKE COUNTY — The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Mendocino and Lake counties program was awarded $5,000 by the Lake County Board of Supervisors in support of their advocacy for abused and neglected children. CASA Executive … See all stories on this topic » |
| W&L Law Students to Serve as Court–Appointed Advocates in Child Abuse Cases Washington and Lee University News Office (blog) The students received the training through Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children, part of an association of CASA organizations nationwide. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges in abuse and neglect cases to gather information to help … See all stories on this topic » |
| Childrens Advocacy Group Offers Free Training For Volunteers Newstalk 1450 KBKW … Group Offers Free Training For Volunteers. Posted by David Haviland on November 26, 2012 at 8:05 am (107 social interactions). Aberdeen, WA – The Grays Harbor Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program is offering a free 32 hour Core training. See all stories on this topic » |
| Cheyenne County CASA Night of Music Sidney Sun Telegraph SIDNEY — Cheyenne County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is sponsoring a Night of Music Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Sidney High School Auditorium. This event features many local performers, including Jim and Kathy Gerhold, Jaclyn Reeder, … See all stories on this topic » |
| Volunteers give area kids a voice Princeton Daily Clarion But, Monica Freimiller, executive director of Warrick County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for children), can finally say that all children in the court system have a voice. For now, at least. “When we started the program, we had four … See all stories on this topic » |
| Group concerned about foster kids during storm Volunteers sought to act as … The Hudson Reporter According to an official with Hudson County’s Court Appointed Special Advocates – a group that works with Hudson County’s several hundred foster kids – in one case, a girl who was not in a good foster home was apparently made to sleep without blankets … See all stories on this topic » |
| Business and People Notes Greater Tulsa Reporter Newspapers The Tulsa CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Board of Directors has hired Maura Wilson as the new Executive Director replacing Pam Dose, who retired Aug. 24. Wilson was a Program Director for CASA in Springdale, Ark., and most recently worked … See all stories on this topic » |
| Men Cooking for CASA to be held Mt. Vernon Register-News After a successful inaugural event, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Jefferson County will host its second annual Men Cooking for CASA event Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. A cash bar will open at 5:30 p.m. at the Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn, with the Parade … See all stories on this topic » |
| CASA For Highland Lakes Seeks to Recruit Volunteers Blanco County News CASA for the Highland Lakes is in need of 50 volunteer advocates over the next several months. A Court Appointed Special Advocate can make the single greatest difference in the life of a child. A CASA advocate is appointed by a judge to provide factual … See all stories on this topic » |
| Fifteen court volunteers sworn in Ontario Argus Observer … volunteers sworn in Larry Meyer Argus Observer Argus Observer | 0 comments. ONTARIO — Court Appointed Special Advocates of Eastern Oregon was successful in recruiting more volunteers, as 15 new advocates were sworn in Wednesday evening. See all stories on this topic » |
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| Event : Court Appointed Special Advocate Training Hancock pottery sale starts today. Hancock College pottery students gave reporters a preview this week of work available for sale today and Saturday in the … www.lompocrecord.com/…/event_b637d82a-3825-11e2-a956… |
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| Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer – Idealist.org CASA volunteers are citizens who want to help their community’s children. They work alongside attorneys, social workers, treatment providers, and other … www.idealist.org/view/volop/HmkNWM5mx874/ |
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| Day View – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Pulaski … Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Pulaski County. Making a difference one child at a time. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Pulaski … www.pulaskicountycasa.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=mf… |
| Court appointed special advocate training begins Feb. 20 The Herald-Mail Court Appointed Special Advocates of Washington County will be conducting a Spring 2013 training program, scheduled to begin Wednesday, Feb. 20, and Saturday, Feb. 23, in separate, but concurrent eight-week training sessions. Training sessions will … See all stories on this topic » |
| Show CASA love on Colorado Gives Day Montrose Daily Press Today is Colorado Gives Day, and local nonprofit Court Appointed Special Advocates – Voices for Children stands to benefit. Today only, Colorado Gives Day is waiving the processing fee ordinarily assessed on donations to CASA through the program. See all stories on this topic » |
| Child advocates need more help Payson Roundup Children of all ages need an adult to help them when they are put into the court system because of family or personal challenges. That is one role a Court Appointed Special Advocate plays. By Teresa McQuerrey Got it? Good. You just made Gila County … See all stories on this topic » |
| CHILD ABUSE RISING Cibola County Beacon Their main provider, CASA, spreads information on prevention of child abuse and goes even further to help prevent child exploitation on the internet. CASA is a court–appointed special advocate team that provides support and a “check-in” system for … |
| Two Bonney Lake Women Honored By Court Appointed Special Advocate Program Patch.com Bonney Lake residents Channa Copeland and Susan Ward were honored at the Pierce County Juvenile Court’s annual volunteer appreciation luncheon on April 14. The event recognized the important work done by Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), … See all stories on this topic » |
| April declared Child Abuse Prevention Month KTNV Las Vegas The Clark County Commission will present a proclamation to the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program during a meeting this morning, April 17, at the Commission Chambers at the County Government Center on Grand Central Parkway. See all stories on this topic » |
| King County Superior Court Recruiting Minority Volunteer Child Advocates Seattle Medium King County Superior Court uses volunteers to independently investigate and report to the Court on the situation and well-being of children in dependency proceedings. Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA volunteers, are trained by the CASA … See all stories on this topic » |
| CASA brings awareness of child abuse Opelousas Daily World Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, of St. Landry Parish always is looking for new volunteers. Anyone over the age of 21 can submit an application and no special background is required. Training, a background check and a yearlong commitment … See all stories on this topic » |
| Fanning the flames: CASA honors child advocates with Light of Hope awards Cherokee Tribune CANTON — In honor of Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children of Cherokee County presented its annual Light of Hope awards to seven people at the Cherokee Arts Center in Canton to recognize those who … See all stories on this topic » |
| Court organization in need of volunteers to help kids Belleville News Democrat BY JENNIFER A. BOWEN – News-Democrat The hours can be long and the work emotional, but the rewards volunteers with Court Appointed Special Advocates get in return are beyond measure. “I can actually make a difference for the kids,” said Bobbi Ambrosino … See all stories on this topic » |
| One caring person can change a child’s world Richmond Times Dispatch To learn more about the Court Appointed Special Advocate… For parenting questions or support in Virginia, call the statewide, toll-free parent helpline 800-CHILDREN (800-244-5373). To learn more about the Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer … See all stories on this topic » |
| Advocates receive awards at Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect Conference Beartooth NBC The luncheon was part of the annual Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference taking place in Helena this week. Foster parents, advocates and DPHHS staff members from eight different communities were recognized and seven awards were given out. See all stories on this topic » |
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| The Payson Roundup / Child advocates need more help Photo courtesy of CASA. Enlarge photo. Children of all ages need an adult to help them when they are put into the court system because of family or personal … www.paysonroundup.com/r/115/59958/ |
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| Court Appointed Special Advocate program swears in new A swearing-in ceremony was conducted for 16 new volunteers for the Court Appointed Special Advocate program at the Juvenile Court of Cobb County on … mdjonline.com/bookmark/18298636 |
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| Motts both charged with child abuse – The Herald Democrat: News … George and Christine Mott were arrested on April 11 on charges of child … has been assigned a guardian ad litem and a court–appointed special advocate. www.leadvilleherald.com/…/article_a26d6418-8a47-11e1-979… |
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| CASA of Will County Set to Hold 2nd Annual Benefit Auction April 27 … CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Will County will host its annual Benefit Auction April 27 at The Links of Carillon. CASA (Court Appointed Special … triblocal.com/…/casa-of-will-county-set-to-hold-2nd-annual-b… |
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| Ask the GAL: Do you have what it takes to stand up for a child? Bradenton Herald Preparing to Become a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer. … If you are willing then the Guardian ad Litem Program will do the rest to prepare you. |
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| Five Jackson County residents complete Guardian ad Litem training … Recently five Jackson County residents completed Guardian ad Litem training and were then sworn-in by Judge William Wright. These five are just a few more in … fosterfollynews.com/…/five-jackson-county-residents-complet… |
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| Guardian ad Litem Program – Vermont Judiciary Vermont Guardian ad Litem Program. The Vermont Guardian ad Litem Program has been awarded a grant in the amount of $25,000 by the National Court … www.vermontjudiciary.org/…/GAL%20-%20I%20Am%20For… |
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| Guardian ad Litem Presentation – Saturday, February 16, 2013 10 … FREE Presentation OPEN to the Public Come hear how you can become an Advocate for a Child and be their voice in the Court Visit Lakeland Chamber for mor. www.lakelandgov.net/…/Guardian-ad-Litem-Presentation.aspx
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