{“featuredImages”:[{“url”:”https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/res/posts/blog/images/2019-02-13_03_57_36_dsc_0073.jpg”},{“url”:”https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/res/posts/blog/images/2019-02-13_03_57_11_dsc_0093.jpg”},{“url”:”https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/res/posts/blog/images/2019-02-13_03_57_20_dsc_0106.jpg”},{“url”:”https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/res/posts/blog/images/2019-02-13_03_57_29_dsc_0067.jpg”},{“url”:”https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/res/posts/blog/images/2019-02-13_03_57_43_dsc_0074.jpg”},{“url”:”https://www.clarkcountycourts.us/res/posts/blog/images/2019-02-13_03_57_53_dsc_0082.jpg”}],”content”:”
Twenty-two Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers including a casino worker, teachers, retired cops, and a computer programmer will come together on Friday, Feb. 15 at noon at Family Court, Courtroom 9, 601 N. Pecos Road to swear an oath to speak for kids.
There is a big need for CASA volunteers in Clark County, to speak up for the approximately 3,200 children in the community who are receiving services under supervision of Family Court. Those who want to help abused and neglected children are invited to one of the upcoming CASA orientations, which are held the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy. More information is available about the program at 702-455-4306, visit www.casalasvegas.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/CASALasVegas. The next CASA orientation will be held on Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy.
“CASA’s are the ears and the eyes for the court. They provide a voice and offer stability for kids who are in foster care and don’t otherwise have a lot of stability in their lives,” said Family Court Judge Frank Sullivan, who will administer the oath to the CASA volunteers. “We appreciate everything CASAs do. The positive impact that CASAs have on children lasts a lifetime.“
The CASA program recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteers to represent the best interests of hundreds of foster children annually. The volunteers speak on behalf of children in foster care who have endured abuse and neglect. They give input in school, 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.
There are around 329 CASA volunteers serving as a voice for children under the supervision of the Family Court CASA Program. Many more volunteers are needed to advocate for the remainder of the children in care. Last year, nearly one thousand children had a CASA volunteer to help them navigate through the system, deal with school challenges and handle home life.
“CASA’s get to help young children who truly need a voice. It is such important work,” said Presiding Family Court Judge Bryce Duckworth. “I thank you for the time you are volunteering. Now more than ever, CASA volunteers are needed.”
“}