EDITORIAL: Thank you, Ocmulgee CASA

Published 9:39 pm Wednesday, August 7, 2024

It’s been said that society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. Twenty-five years ago, an organization was formed to advocate for some of the most vulnerable among us.

Ocmulgee CASA recently marked its 25th anniversary, giving a voice to countless children in Baldwin, Greene, Hancock, Jasper, Jones, Morgan, Putnam and Wilkinson counties.

CASAs are volunteers assigned by a judge to child abuse and neglect cases. Simply put — they advocate for children who can frequently go unheard or unnoticed.

According to Georgia CASA, there are nearly 16,000 children in our state’s foster care system, yet there are 2,500 CASA volunteers. Children in the foster care system spend an average of 20 months there.

CASAs undergo detailed training to provide the level of care and attention each child they serve needs and deserves to ensure they are safe and cared for. Volunteers are required to spend about 10 hours a month visiting children, going to court and monitoring cases. They must also past a background check.

CASA volunteers get to know children going through the court system and gather information about the child and other persons involved in the child’s life. They are independent voices that keep the child’s best interests at the forefront of all that they do.

They are an active part of the child’s advocacy team and work towards ensuring that the child has a safe, stable and permanent home.

We wish CASAs roles weren’t necessary and that every child grows up in a loving and nurturing environment. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. CASAs advocate for meeting the needs of children in foster care, and more volunteers are needed to meet that need.

The need has never been greater.

It is estimated that four children die every day from child abuse or neglect, and 70% of those who die are under the age of 3.

They need willing voices to speak up for them.

That’s where we can step in. If you are willing to help fill the need, fill out an application to become a volunteer. Visit https://ocmulgeecasa.org/volunteer/to sign up.

Thank you Ocmulgee CASA for 25 years of serving and supporting children in Central Georgia.

Thank you for advocating for them and for going the extra distance to serve them.

Thank you Ocmulgee CASAs for all that you do.