Cass County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program

Welcomes Four New Volunteers

The Cass County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program is proud to announce that four new CASA Volunteers were sworn-in by Judge John Steinheider on Wednesday October 19, 2011.  A brief reception was held following the ceremony to wish the new CASA Volunteers well in their advocacy for Cass County’s abused and neglected children.  The new CASA volunteers are Leslie Duvall, Denice Eaton-Heim, Karen Muhvic and Marcia Nickels.

Currently there are a total of 49 Cass County children who are under the jurisdiction of the court because of abuse and/or neglect. 32 of those 49 children are being advocated for by only 14 Cass County CASA volunteers.  Children range in age from a few months to 18 years old.  Many of the children live unsettled lives waiting for their parents to solve the problems that brought the children to the attention of the authorities, and under the courts jurisdiction.

 
CASA volunteers usually work with one case at a time. They get to know the children well and write reports for the Judge, making recommendations about what would be best for the child. They become a stable, reliable presence in the child’s life during a very difficult time, and advocate for the child to have a safe and permanent home as quickly as possible.

The Cass County CASA program was started in 2005.   CASA volunteers are ordinary people doing an extraordinary thing by having an impact on the lives of abused and neglected children.  Most volunteers donate about 2 hours per week (or 8 hours a month) and all training is provided.  Our next training class will begin in March 2012.        

If you are interested or want more information, please call or e-mail Angie Neumiller, Program Director at 402-296-9520 or casa@cassne.org.