A new class of  22 CASA volunteers is trained-up and ready to swear an oath on May 13 at noon to speak for 35 abused and neglected children in foster care. The ceremony will take place at Family Court 601 N. Pecos Road, courtroom 9. There are more than 3,000 children in foster care in Clark County. Children in foster care are unable to speak for themselves and need someone to hear them and advocate for their best interests.

“The beautiful thing about being a CASA volunteer is that now, the children for whom they advocate have somebody to celebrate with,” said Family Court Judge Margaret Pickard, who presides over the Eighth Judicial District Court CASA Program. “For the first time, many of these kids are having a birthday party that’s just their own birthday party and they are being given the opportunity to do things that they’ve never done before. It’s uplifting to see that these children will have somebody to sit next to them in a parent-teacher conference; that they have somebody to show up with them during the hard times and to be there to celebrate the good times.”

The new CASA Volunteers will have one common goal – to represent the best interest of children in foster care. They are asked to spend approximately two to three hours a week, getting to know the children and others who are involved in their lives, so they can advocate and speak for them in court and in school. CASA Volunteers are a cross-section of our community.

“The reports that CASA volunteers provide and the insight that they give the judges, offers a different dimension to the information that we process in these difficult cases,” said Presiding Family Court Judge David Gibson Jr. “The insight CASA volunteers give us is crucial and we will do our best to ensure that the CASA volunteers’ voices on behalf of the children are heard.”

The CASA program, which is part of the Family Division of the Eighth Judicial District Court, recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteers to represent the best interests of foster children in Clark County. The advocates represent the children in school, child and family team meetings, and in court. Volunteering for the program

involves a two-year commitment and a willingness to spend quality time with the children to advocate for them.

In 1980, Judge John Mendoza led the creation of the CASA Program in Clark County.

Those who are interested can learn more at one of the many monthly online orientations by visiting www.casalasvegas.org and signing up to attend. Potential volunteers can also call the CASA program at 702-455-CASA for more information.  

Upcoming Orientations:

· Wednesday, May 15 (6 – 7 p.m.)

· Friday, May 24 (noon – 1 p.m.)

· Wednesday, June 5 (9 – 10 a.m.)

· Friday, June 14 (noon – 1 p.m.)