CASA volunteers needed- Change a Child’s Story:
What are your superpowers? How would you like to use them to help a child? Kingfisher and Blaine County are looking for CASA volunteers. CASA is a nonprofit organization that trains community volunteers to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children in court. CASA volunteers are everyday people who care about children. CASA volunteers are responsible for gathering information that will enable the court to understand the situation of the child. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and speak up for abused and neglected children to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service systems or languish in the foster care system. CASA volunteers stay with each child until he or she is placed in a safe, permanent home and the case is closed. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer is the one constant in their lives. It is easy to become a volunteer. CASA volunteers receive 30 hours of training prior to becoming an advocate. Half of the training is completed on-line and the other half is completed face to face. Volunteers learn advocacy stills, interview techniques, about special needs children, cultural issues and the juvenile system. Volunteers need to be 21 years of age or older with the desire and commitment to help abused and neglected children.
Each year, thousands of children in Oklahoma are removed from their homes due to evidence of abuse and neglect. They are uprooted from the ones they love, taken out of school and away from their friends. Their only world they have known has been literally turned upside down. If you have a heart and a passion for children come join our team and become a CASA volunteer. We need people who are devoted to advocating for the best interest of children in foster care. Someone who interacts with the child and their inner circle of support system to speak out for the child's best interest. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer contact the Fourth Judicial District CASA office at 580-242-1153 to learn about the FREE training. Training begins July 6th for Kingfisher and Blaine County.
The Kingfisher and Blaine County CASA program has two exciting announcements. Blaine County currently has seven volunteers, two who have already been appointed by the Judge to advocate for children in the custody of the Department of Human Services.
The next exciting announcement is the Kingfisher and Blaine County CASA programs have achieved support and recognition from the National CASA Association.