The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program for children for Newton and McDonald counties provides a very valuable service. The mission is to provide advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can grow and prosper in safe, permanent homes.
CASA originated in Seattle, Wash., in 1977 at the request of Judge David Soukup, the presiding judge of King County Superior Court. Soukup felt that he was not getting the information he needed to determine the best placement for each child's circumstances and there was a rise in the number of child abuse and neglect cases appearing before his court. At Soukup's request, the Seattle court began recruiting and training volunteers to serve as advocates for children in abuse and neglect cases. Soon thereafter, other courts began to organize CASA programs throughout the United States.
Michael Mitchell, a retired Army officer, is the program director for NEW-MAC CASA. Mitchell is the only permanent staff member. The advocates for the children are volunteers.
"CASA works with all concerned," Mitchell said. "The parents, schools, the community, etc., to get enough information to make good recommendations to the court regarding the care of the child. CASA provides advocacy for children up to the age of 18. These are children who have already been removed from their homes. CASA strives to find them a safe and permanent home."
Mitchell said in addition to neglect, substance abuse by parents is a prevalent reason kids are removed from the home.
"Our focus is on the best interests of the child," Mitchell said. "We would like to have a volunteer assigned to every case. Our goal is to have 100 volunteers; we have about 25 at this time. We are becoming more well-known, more and more people know about us. The more volunteers we have, the more people we can help. Our volunteers come from all walks of life."
Mitchell said he especially likes to see more male volunteers so the children will have positive male role models.
Tiffany Brabant has recently become a volunteer and will be attending volunteer training.
"I considered this many years ago because my children's grandmother was a CASA advocate," Brabant said. "My inspiration is making a positive difference in someone's life."
Mitchell said much of the program's funding comes from grants. In addition, fundraising events such as the upcoming Gary Carson magic show set for March 21 are held.
"We welcome and accept donations and we need more volunteers," Mitchell said.
Anyone interested in volunteering for CASA or for donating may contact Mitchell at [email protected] or visit www.newmaccasa.org.
Community on 12/18/2014