By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A volunteer group responsible for protecting abused and neglected children entering the legal system in St. John the Baptist, St. James and St. Charles parishes is in need of more caseworkers.

Child Advocacy Services is seeking Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers in the River Parishes and surrounding areas. CASA volunteers work with social workers and lawyers who are overloaded with cases of abused children.

Krisy McAdams, a CASA recruiter, said CASA volunteers are specially trained and provide information that helps judges make informed and timely decisions about what is best for an abused or neglected child, whether it be foster care, reuniting with parents or adoption.

“Court Appointed Special Advocates are the heart of our program,” McAdams said. “These community volunteers help to secure safe and permanent homes for abused and neglected children by investigating and monitoring cases involving children in foster care. They serve as the voice in court for these children.”

McAdams said caseworkers must attend training and make a sincere commitment to help a child. She said training will be held Monday, July 9, at 6 p.m. at the LaPlace Child Advocacy Services office, 429 W. Airline Highway, Suite V. There are currently 47 children in foster care in St. John Parish and 36 in St. Charles Parish who need someone to serve as their voice in the court system.

“CASA volunteers are men and women who want to help the children in their community,” McAdams said. “They come from all walks of life, have a variety of backgrounds, and they all have the same desire – to make a difference in the life of an abused or neglected child.”

For information, contact McAdams at 225-647-2005 or by email at kmcadams@childav.net to sign up for the training.

In related news, CASA Louisiana is a finalist in the 2012 Associate Choice Program, an online campaign where Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club associates vote directly for a nonprofit to receive funding in their home state. CASA could receive $50,000 to further its mission of supporting programs to recruit and train community volunteers.  

The online voting by associates began June 30 and will last through August 6.  Associates who work at Wal-Mart stores, Sam’s Club warehouses, and Wal-Mart distribution centers are eligible to vote.

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