Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, is a national organization of volunteers who are appointed by judges to advocate for abused and neglected children in the foster care system.
CASA volunteers work with family courts to make sure each child’s voice is heard.
Texas County is part of the 25th Judicial Circuit in Missouri, which represents more than 600 children in the judicial system. The county’s CASA operation is part of CASA of South-central Missouri, which is headquartered in Rolla and includes Phelps County, Pulaski County and Maries County.
The Texas County CASA office is inside the Justice Center in Houston and is staffed by volunteer supervisor Kayy Duncan and administrative assistant Sharron Vaughn. The office serves an average of around 90 to 100 kids, with an average of 30 volunteer advocates.
Duncan said there are many cases and numerous children on the waiting list for a CASA caseworker.
“We’re hoping to serve all the children we have,” she said.
To help facilitate the cost of the program, the Texas County CASA office conducts fundraising campaigns that specifically benefit the county’s operation, including an annual golf tournament at Oakwood Golf Club.
“All of the money raised goes toward helping the kids and supporting the advocates,” Duncan said. “It helps get the advocates through background checks and interviews in the beginning, and then training, which can get pretty costly when there are a lot of new people.”
Texas County’s CASA program has a reputation of success. Duncan said having many advocates who have prior experience with children helps.
“We have a lot of retired school teachers and several former foster parents,” she said. “But I believe the combination of all of the advocates’ skills coming together is what makes it successful for the children.”
CASA always welcomes new volunteer child advocates. Studies show that kids with an appointed advocate spend three to six months less time in care, and find permanency faster.
For information about volunteering, call Duncan at 417-260-5538 or email her at kayy.duncan@casascmo.org. More information can be found at www.casascmo.org.