CASA TO OFFER TRAINING FOR NEW ADVOCATES IN TWO SUMMER SESSIONS

Madison County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is looking for new volunteers for upcoming training classes. Two training series will be offered in July. The first session will be from 9:00am-4:00pm the week of Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 11. The second session will be from 9:00am-4:00pm on Monday, July 14 through Friday, July 18. Volunteers only need to attend one, not both series, to be sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Both series will be held at the offices of Madison County CASA in downtown Jackson. This training is designed to provide volunteers the opportunity to learn the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to be a CASA volunteer. Included in the training are sessions on courtroom procedure, effective advocacy techniques, child development, and adolescent behavior.

A CASA volunteer is an advocate for children who find themselves involved in the Juvenile Court system through no fault of their own. The children with whom a volunteer would work with are victims of child abuse and/or neglect. A large percentage of these children are in foster care. They need a voice in court to help them find permanency in a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible, whether that means returning to a parent, placement with a relative, or adoption. The CASA volunteer provides that voice by sharing recommendations with the court addressing the best interests of the child. It is important work and requires a commitment of time (10 to 15 hours per month), energy, and heart.

To apply to be a CASA volunteer, an application can be found on the Madison County CASA website, www.madisoncountycasa.org,  or by calling Madison County CASA at 731-427-5554. Applicants will be asked to provide three personal references as well as pass a criminal records check. For more information, please contact Oreyanna Jones, Director of Madison County Programs, at 731-427-5554 or by e-mailing casavolcoord@charterinternet.com.
 

MADISON COUNTY CASA RECEIVES COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT GRANTS

Madison County CASA recently received funds from the Community Enhancement Grants awarded by local state legislators. Madison County CASA received a $5,000 grant through the efforts of State Senator Lowe Finney and a $5000 grant through the efforts of State Representative Jimmy Eldridge. These grant funds will be used toward the training and supervision of the team of almost 50 advocates who work with abused and neglected children in Madison County.

State Representative Jimmy Eldridge is "very proud of the work that CASA does for our community in helping our youth in court. It is an honor for me to get a grant for such a wonderful organization that reaches out to our young people. I applaud CASA for all of its work and effort to make our youth more productive with a bright future."

State Senator Lowe Finney said, "The Madison County CASA organization provides a unique service for those individuals and children that require a special degree of care and attention. We in Madison County are extremely fortunate to have a local organization that serves the abused and underserved children of our community."

Madison County CASA volunteers are advocates for children who find themselves involved in the Juvenile Court system through no fault of their own. The children with whom volunteers work are victims of child abuse and/or neglect. A large percentage of these children are in foster care. They need a “voice in court” in order to find a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible, whether that means returning to a parent or being adopted. The CASA volunteer provides that voice by sharing recommendations with the court. The recommendations to the court address what is in the best interest of the child. It is important work and requires a commitment of time, energy, and heart. For more information about how you can volunteer or make a donation, please visit www.madisoncountycasa.org or call Joyce Williams, Volunteer Coordinator at (731) 427-5554.