Christy King is the CASA (court-appointed special advocate) Volunteer Coordinator for Winn Parish.  She was guest speaker at the June 17 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Winnfield where she discussed CASA and its need for volunteers.

CASA is under the umbrella of Children’s Advocacy Network which includes therapy programs, human trafficking program and the interview program. Seven parishes are included in our area. CASA is the eyes and ears for the court and the judge. In our area there are over 50 foster children and only 10 advocates. 

Each advocate is usually responsible for one child unless they are children of the same family living in the same place. So there is a need for many volunteers. Volunteers must go through training and background checks. They must be 21 years old, have a driver’s license, transportation and commit to an 18-month term. 

They create a court report that the judge reads and can use to determine what is going to happen to that child. The volunteer visits with the child, with the foster parents and with the biological parents to get information for their report. 

The goal is reunification with the parents but they have to do their part in following the parent plan to get their children back. CASA tries to work with DCFS to make the goal of reunification happen. Underlying causes of children being in foster care are drugs and sexual abuse. 

In the seven-parish area there are over 500 foster children. Foster children can be from infant to 18 years old. Because of a lack of foster parents in Winn, many of our children are sent to other places for foster care. 

CASA is a grant-funded program with National CASA and State CASA and they also do fund-raising including a Gala. 

Mrs. King was interrupted numerous times with questions and comments. It was a very informative and educational program. Kiwanis expressed appreciation for the work Mrs. King does with foster children in our community.