CASA Volunteers look out for children
Program director says more workers are needed to be advocates
for youngsters in northwest Georgia
By Stump Martin-Staff Writer, Chattanooga Times Free Press, March 22, 2006

LaFAyette, GA- Children's Advocacy officials say eight volunteers who want to stand up for children in the court system are completing their training to become court appointed special advocates. Carleena Angwin direct the CASA program at the Children's Advocacy Center, which serves Walker, Catoosa, Dade and Chattooga counties in the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit. Ms. Angwin said CASA is a national program in which volunteers watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children.

She said the volunteers are passionate about helping improve the lives of children in Northwest Georgia. "We have had a good response from the community," she said. "Our goal is to serve all of the children." Ms. Angwin said the volunteers have been spending three hours each Tuesday in training, hearing from case workers, Department of Family and Children Services personnel, Juvenile Court Judges and others who are experienced in dealing with the cases of the abused and neglected children. But CASA needs more monetary support and more volunteers, she said.

"Every year, hundreds of abused and neglected children in Northwest Georgia are placed in foster care because they are unable to live safely at home," she said. "Imagine that you were to lose your parents, not because of something you did, but because they cannot or will not take care of you." Ms. Angwin said those children then encounter dozens of strangers - police, foster parents, therapists, social workers, judges and lawyers.

"Hopefully, one of these strangers is a CASA Volunteer," she said. Walker and Dade County Juvenile Court Judge F. Bryant Henry Jr. said the CASA volunteers are "well trained, unselfish and devoted to the protection of the children."

Judge Henry said he relies on the input of the CASA volunteers to monitor the cases and welfare of the children between court appearances. He said he is grateful for the volunteers. "I have found the input to be helpful to the court in making decisions that are best for the children," Judge Henry said. "Frequently, the CASA volunteer represents the one stable and consistent person in a child's life."

Barbara Beckman, who works at the Chickamauga Public Library said she's excited about becoming a volunteer child advocate. She said the first eight volunteers are "groundbreakers in Walker, Catoosa and Dade counties."

"It's scary that you're speaking out for a child, and you want to be a good spokesman for them," Ms. Beckman said. "This is their life, and you want to make sure you do the best for them." Ms. Angwin said the volunteers are learning to follow the children's cases as they move through the court system, making sure the children do not get "lost" in foster care.

"The CASA volunteer researches the case, learns everything about the child's special situation and presents findings to a court judge on the child's best interest," she said. "Through the work of these extraordinary individuals, these vulnerable children find safe, permanent homes as quickly as possible."
She said a CASA Volunteer will help change a child's life for a brighter future.

Get Involved -
To become a CASA Volunteer
* Contact Carleena Angwin at (423) 255-6146
* Complete an application, including 4 personal/professional references.
* Undergo criminal background check.
* Be interviewed by CASA staff
* Complete 40 hours of training/observations
* Be sworn in by a judge