2 from county named CASAs

Advocates for Children has announced the swearing-in of two new CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers for Jackson County, Michael Searcy and Lisa Machino, by Heather Mollo, Bartholomew County juvenile referee, on Nov. 4.

Advocates for Children, a local nonprofit organization, provides volunteer advocates to speak up in the best interests of abused and neglected children in legal proceedings in Jackson, Bartholomew, Decatur and Jennings counties. In addition to Jackson County, seven of the sworn volunteers are from Bartholomew County, five from Jennings and one from Decatur. These volunteers work in the best interests of children removed from their homes and help to ensure that these children find safe, permanent, loving homes in which they can grow up, a press release stated.

Mollo thanked the new CASA volunteers for their dedication to helping these vulnerable children. She reminded everyone in attendance, new volunteers and their families and friends, of the importance of their commitment to the children, their families and the community.

“From a court’s perspective, the CASA volunteer’s involvement is critical, as it ensures that the child’s viewpoint is voiced and the child’s best interest protected,” she said.

To become a CASA volunteer, these graduates completed 32 hours of training, encompassing courtroom procedures, social services, the juvenile justice system and the special needs of abused and neglected children. Each will be appointed by their local judge to an abused or neglected child’s case. The advocacy provided by the CASA volunteers will then help these children find “forever families.” For just a few hours of their time each month, these volunteer advocates will have the means and the opportunity to positively change a child’s life.

An advocate for every abused or neglected child involved in a court proceeding is now mandated by state and federal law. Many of this area’s most vulnerable children do not have an advocate because of a shortage of volunteers. Within Bartholomew County, at least 15 children are currently in need of an advocate.

For more information regarding the Advocates for Children program, call (812) 372-2808, or toll-free (877) 604-9402.