Letter to the Editor: There is a need for community members to help

To the Editor:

Your CASA Program is calling for community members to step up and advocate for children and families involved in the child welfare system in our local area.

Volunteers with Your CASA Program are known as CASA volunteers, or Court Appointed Special Advocates. These CASA volunteers advocate for a child or sibling group while they are in foster care. CASA volunteers advocate in the courtroom, school and other settings for the best interest of the child they are representing, help them stay connected with their families and communities, and work towards family reunification whenever safe and possible.

Now is a great time to get involved with CASA. With info sessions, pre-service volunteer training and swearing-in ceremonies currently conducted online, you can begin making a difference in the lives of children and families in the foster care system - right from your own home.

The Iowa Child Advocacy Board is taking precautions with how it’s conducting the trainings, visits with children and families, volunteer supervision and events to ensure the safety of all involved due to COVID-19.

The drive and passion of CASA volunteers to serve the children and families of this community is unmatched. CASA is here to serve the children and families of northeast Iowa and never want a child in foster care or at possible risk in their home to go without a CASA volunteer. That’s why we need our community to stand up and join us in our advocacy on behalf of abused and neglected children.

If you’ve been looking for a unique way to serve your community, join the CASA movement. What better time than now? If you’d like to find out more about becoming a CASA volunteer or other ways to get involved, visit casaiowa.org.

Kerry Brennan
CASA Program
Coordinator