CASA in need of volunteers

FORT SCOTT, Kan. -- A record number of cases filed has created the need for more volunteers in the Bourbon County Court Appointed Special Advocates program.

In 2009, a little more than 100 Child In Need of Care cases were filed in Bourbon County with the local CASA chapter, about 20 more cases than the chapter filed in 2008 and the most in the chapter's 20-year history, Bourbon County CASA Program Director Christa Horn said.

Horn said she currently has 29 volunteers from the area -- including six new, recently trained volunteers -- working on those cases. The CASA agency provides trained community volunteers who help abused or neglected children of various ages during juvenile court proceedings after the child is placed in child protective services.

"We've stayed constant with our number of volunteers," Horn said. "They're all assigned to cases, and because of the nature of those cases, I can't take on many more new cases until the old ones are done ... I want to be able to say 'yes' to every case. Unfortunately, I can't guarantee that because the number of cases outweighs the number of volunteers."

Horn said the chapter recently began its recruitment stage, and she is looking for about 10 volunteers who will advocate for children who have become involved in the court process as a result of abuse, neglect or divorce.

"If I had about 10 new volunteers, that would be awesome," she said.

The chapter is not only dealing with a record number of total cases, but a rise in the number of cases involving serious issues.

"There are more of these hard-to-handle cases," Horn said. "Drug issues that lead to neglect of children, serious mental health issues ... the cases are much more severe and serious than is usual."

Volunteers in the program typically spend about an hour each week with the child and his or her family, and work one case at a time. Volunteers also make recommendations to the court concerning the child's best interests. The goal of the program is to find a safe, permanent home for the child.

The only requirements are that volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, trustworthy, possess good communication skills, and have a willingness to work with the child and participate in age-appropriate tasks and activities with them. The volunteer's job is not done until the judge closes the case, which usually takes about four months.

Area residents who are interested in becoming CASA volunteers must submit an application, after which a reference check is completed. Horn then personally interviews each applicant and screens each applicant's background as required by law.

People who are accepted into the program will then begin a six-week, 18-hour training course that will take place every Monday starting March 22. Volunteers who complete the training process, observe a court docket and obtain courtroom experience will immediately be assigned new cases, Horn said.

Volunteers do not receive any pay.

"It's strictly volunteer work," Horn said. "They give of their time to help children."

The Bourbon County CASA program does not receive any funding or assistance from the court, and depends on local organizations, individuals and corporations for the majority of program funding. The chapter does receive a small amount of funding each year from the Kansas Permanent Families Fund. All funding the chapter receives helps pay for the program's operational expenses.

Local court appointed advocates have assisted with the cases of nearly 600 children since the Bourbon County chapter was formed in 1990.

For more information, contact Horn at (620) 223-2407, or by e-mail at bbcocasa@cpol.net.