BEDFORD, Va. (WDBJ) - More than 100 children in the foster care system across our hometowns need help as they go through the court system to find a safe, permanent home. CASA of Central Virginia seeks volunteers to work with children in the foster care system and advocate for their best interests in court.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate, and CASA of Central Virginia said 117 children in its area are waiting for advocates. This includes children in Lynchburg, as well as Appomattox, Amherst, Bedford, Campbell and Nelson counties.
“The children that we have on our waiting list, they’re lacking somebody to serve as their eyes, ears, and voice in the court system. That’s really what a big part of being a CASA volunteer is about, is being able to talk about the best interest of the child,” said Ainslee Doolan, Bedford Advocate Manager for CASA of Central Virginia.
CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to work with children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect.
“The volunteers can go meet with the children in school. They can meet with them in various home settings like a foster home, a group home, or in their own home if they’re still with one or both parents. They also work with the guardian ad litem, who serves as the child’s lawyer in court. They meet with parents, they can see the children at the Department of Social Services office to accompany parents during visitations to observe those sorts of things as well,” said Doolan.
Doolan said CASA of Central Virginia has 31 children in Bedford County on its priority waiting list. She said data show having a CASA to support them makes a major impact on children in the foster care system.
“Children who do have a CASA typically spend an average of eight months less in the foster care system. They’re significantly less likely to reenter the foster care system, and they have a higher possibility of doing better in school as well,” said Doolan.
CASA volunteers don’t need any specific professional background. They receive training through CASA of Central Virginia on how to advocate effectively and support children before they are appointed to a child by a judge.
“Every child, regardless of their situation and their story, deserves a chance for their story to be told and their voice to be told. Having a CASA appointed to you, especially when you’re in the foster care system, it just gives that child an opportunity to really succeed and have their story be told,” said Doolan.
Those interested in becoming a CASA volunteer can start by attending a CASA information session. The next one for CASA of Central Virginia will be held June 14 in Lynchburg.
“There will, unfortunately, always be children coming into the foster care system. So if now isn’t the right time for you to become a volunteer, there are other ways that you can support CASA,” said Doolan.
Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a CASA volunteer can do so on the CASA of Central Virginia website.
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