On Thursday October 26th, The Honorable Judge Hall officially swore in 7 new CASA volunteers. Also known as Court Appointed Special Advocates, these amazing volunteers will work with Lone Star CASA to advocate for children and families involved in the foster care system in Rockwall and Kaufman Counties. The community members who have now transitioned into advocates include Joel Altman, Jeanine Love, Michael Henry, Kaylan Dixon Smith, Whitney Harris, Madeline Jones, and Beth Yturri.
“The children in our community need the support of an adult and an advocate as they navigate the child welfare system, and I am so thankful these volunteers said yes!” said Lauren Rowe, Executive Director of Lone Star CASA.
Once assigned to a case, these new CASAs will work closely with a child or sibling group to address their needs, ensure their safety, and advocate for their best interest in court. As a part of their advocacy, they will get to know important adults in the life of the child they represent, such as parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors, therapists and more.
CASA volunteers go through 30 hours of in-depth pre-service training before they are appointed by a judge to their case. Volunteers advocate for reunification as their primary goal whenever it is safe and possible to do so. If not possible, they may advocate for the child to live with another relative, family friend, or adoptive home. CASA Volunteers provide unwavering support to children, ensuring their safety, growth, and emotional well-being. They also collaborate with families to establish lasting support systems for both children and parents beyond the case’s closure.
We are always in need of more Advocates as Rockwall and Kaufman counties continue to grow. If you are interested in becoming a CASA Volunteer at Lone Star CASA, visit us at lonestarcasa.org/volunteers. Our next information session will be held on zoom at 6pm on November 8th! To receive the link, please RSVP to info@lonestarcasa.org.
From left to right: Madeline Jones, Beth Yturri, Joel Altman, Jeanine Love, Judge Hall, Whitney Harris, Kaylan Dixon Smith, and Michael Henry.
