MUSKOGEE, Okla. — An organization which advocates for abused and neglected children is in crucial need of more volunteers, especially as children go back to school.
Right now, they have more cases than volunteers, which is why they’re hoping to sign up about 50 more volunteers.
CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, is an organization that trains volunteers to speak up for abused or neglected children who have been placed in foster care.
Volunteers follow that case throughout the child’s life, working directly with the children and anyone else involved in the case, while also making sure the child's living arrangements, education and mental health needs are met.
You do have to be at least 21 to become an advocate and also go through a rigorous background check and interview process.
CASA’s Training and Outreach Specialist in Muskogee, Sequoyah and Wagoner counties said this time of year, they need even more volunteers.
“A lot of times there are more removals from homes once school starts back up because those children are now in a place where people are able to see what happening," said Jenny Crosby. "Over the summer it’s kind of missed. When they go back to school those teachers are starting to notice things, more reports are coming into DHS which means more removals are happening."
If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, CASA workers will be meeting at Oasis Coffee House in Sallisaw Monday morning from 9 to 10 a.m.
They will meet again at The Break in Muskogee Tuesday, August 27 from 9 until 10 a.m.
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