The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Department of the Lucas County Juvenile Court held a graduation of a new class of CASA/GAL (Court Appointed Special Advocates/ Guardians ad Litem). Juvenile Court Administrative Judge, Linda Knepp, swore in 16 new CASA volunteers on February 28, as officers of the court to serve as the guardian ad litem and to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children who are involved with Lucas County Children Services through the court.
CASA volunteers are ordinary citizens from all walks of life, with a variety of educational, racial and ethnic backgrounds, who are trained by the juvenile court to advocate for Lucas County’s abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers conduct independent investigations by interviewing the children, parents, relatives, school officials, doctors and others involved in the children’s lives who may have facts about the case or the children’s safety and wellbeing. CASA volunteers remain on the case, making recommendations to the juvenile court and advocating for the children until the children are reunified with their parents or a safe, permanent home is found for each child.
This class includes four attorneys, a retired physician, a former foster parent, an elementary school teacher and a school counselor, among others.
New CASA volunteers are greatly needed. The next training class will take place in June, and applications are currently being accepted. For more information on becoming a volunteer advocate, visit the CASA website at casakids.net.
