Editor:
There are about 340 children in Vermilion County who are wards of the juvenile court because they have been victims of abuse and neglect. CASA of Vermilion County — Court Appointed Special Advocates — is proud to be part of the team of professionals who provide services for these children.
Case managers, the guardian ad litem, educators and others all provide essential services to children and their families in an attempt to resolve the problems that brought the children into state custody and help them achieve a safe and secure
future.
CASA advocates, who are all trained lay volunteers, do not duplicate the services provided by the professionals. They are not qualified to, nor do they make any attempt to evaluate the performance of professionals. In many ways, the CASA advocate acts in a role similar to that of a concerned and caring parent.
A CASA advocate, unlike the caring but overburdened professionals, has the luxury of only dealing with one child or sibling group at a time. He or she talks regularly to the child and anyone who has contact with that child, including case managers, teachers, medical professionals and others, to get an overview of the child’s state of well-being and needs. The advocate prepares a report for the judge and all parties in the case.
Advocates must apply for this volunteer position, be at least 21 years of age, pass both criminal and child abuse background checks and complete a 30-hour training course. They are given step-by-step guidance by CASA staff. Interested individuals are encouraged to check our Web site at http://www.casavermilion.
org or call our office at 446-5975 for more information. CASA, a registered non-profit, is completely funded by grants, fundraisers and tax-deductible gifts.
Jane Dobbles
President
CASA Board of Directors
Danville
Letters to the Editor
March 15, 2010
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