CASA for Children Inc. continues to help children in need

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(WTRF) – When someone thinks of helping a child in danger, their mind probably turns to child welfare services first, but there is another organization that helps out called CASA as well.

CASA for Children Inc. Represents children from Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel and Tyler counties.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates and uses volunteers to represent children who have been removed from their homes due to allegations of abuse and neglect.

Once the court starts to intervene, mum has an attorney, dad has an attorney, and in the state of West Virginia a child has an attorney and if there is a CASA program, a CASA is also appointed.

Susan Harrison, Executive Director, CASA for Children Inc.

In Mountain State, ten programs serve 33 of 55 counties. Their objective is to eventually serve all the counties of the state.

What makes the program unique are the volunteers they have for the children as well as an ad litem tutor to give the child everything he may need.

The ad litem guardian has legal expertise and CASA has children’s expertise. So being able to know how to talk to children and being able to sit and play with them and learn more about their life, along with understanding the legal aspect, is a truly perfect partnership.

Susan Harrison, Executive Director, CASA for Children Inc.

Harrison said the number of children entering the welfare system has increased dramatically due to situations of abuse and neglect.

It is largely with the opioid epidemic that we are seeing an increase in the number of cases statewide. So, CASA is an important organization that helps advocate for children and what they need during this process.

Susan Harrison, Executive Director, CASA for Children Inc.

If you want to know more, visit wvcasa.org. To find out about the possibility of becoming a CASA volunteer, Click here.

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