FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Court Appointed Special Advocates of Shelby County recently received state funding of $35,000 from the Department of Child Abuse Neglect and Prevention, formerly known as the Children’s Trust Fund.

CASA is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization whose mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect. They recruit and train volunteers to go into the court process to assist children who have been abused and neglected. They monitor cases, advocate for the best interests of the children they serve and ensure that the judge’s court orders regarding the case are followed.

“CASA of Shelby County was started in 1992 and has a long history of serving children and families in our community,” said Juvenile Judge Jim Kramer. “The work they do is invaluable and they prevent child abuse and neglect in so many cases, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of dollars a year they save the court and DHR.”

“The Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention is an outstanding partner of ours,” said Jill Driver, Volunteer Director for CASA. “They provide us with funding that enables us to further our mission of preventing child abuse and neglect and serving those who have been abused and neglected. We would not be as successful as we are without their help.”

The mission of the ADCANP is “to secure resources to fund evidence-based community programs committed to the prevention of child maltreatment. They advocate for children and the strengthening of families.”

CASA of Shelby County is beginning training classes this month. For more information on how you can be a CASA Volunteer, please visit Casaofshelbycounty.com or call 243-8753 today.