CASA volunteers, executive director attend conference

Three area CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers and the Executive Director recently attended the “One Team, One Dream” conference sponsored by the LeFlore County Child Advocacy Center and the District 16 DA’s office. A

n Oklahoma Department of Human Services Children’s Justice Act grant made the conference possible. The conference was part of the CASA volunteers’ annual in-service training.

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. As a CASA, the volunteer’s duties include investigating the circumstances surrounding a child’s court case and making an independent evaluation of what is in the child’s best interest. 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 and often, the one adult who cares only for them.

CASA volunteers must be 21 years of age, be willing to commit to at least a year of service, undergo 33 hours of in-depth training, and pass an OSBI and national background check. Training provides the CASA volunteer with the knowledge of courtroom procedures, applicable laws, cultural competency, communication skills, interviewing skills, court report writing skills, and the child development process.

CASA volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances. Many work a full-time job along with volunteering as a CASA while others work part time, are retired, or are college students. The common thread that links all volunteers together is the desire to make a difference in the life of an abused child.

Anyone interested in becoming a San Bois CASA volunteer, email sanboiscasa@hotmail.com. The San Bois area serves Pittsburg, Latimer, LeFlore, and Haskell counties.

The next online new volunteer training starts July 5.

Submitted report and photo

Caption: San Bois CASA volunteers and the executive director recently attended the “One Team, One Dream” conference sponsored by the LeFlore County Child Advocacy Center and the District 16 DA’s office. Pictured are Lindy Basden, Leah McLaughlin (executive director), and Jan Gragg. Not pictured is Cheryl King.