Franklin County CASA Receives National Certification Recognizing the
Quality of Its Work for Abused and Neglected Children

UNION- Franklin County CASA of Union has just been awarded certification by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. This certification recognizes that Franklin County CASA is in compliance with National CASA’s high standards for quality child advocacy.

According to Michael Piraino, CEO of the National CASA Association, “The National CASA quality assurance process is very rigorous, and reflects our commitment to ensure every child we serve has the most powerful volunteer advocate working on their behalf. This certification says Franklin County CASA has demonstrated to us a strong capacity to provide excellent services to the abused and neglected children within their community.”

Through the appointment of the juvenile judge, Franklin County CASA has advocated for nearly 80 children since being assigned their first appointment in early 2007. With approximately 150 children under the protection of the courts in Franklin County, there continues to be a need for additional CASA volunteers. “I am taken back by the time, talents and resources CASA volunteers bring to their children to make their life a little better,” states Glenda Volmert, CASA Director. CASA volunteers get to know their CASA kids and then help seek the resources needed to help fill the child’s needs or wishes. As said by one of the Guardian ad Litem attorneys, they feel comfort in closing a case when there is a CASA volunteer involved because they know that child can have a lifelong support in a trusted adult.

For more information, contact the CASA office at 636-583-4422, e-mail at franklincasa@yhti.net or visit the website www.franklincountycasa.com

About the National CASA Association
In 1976, concerned over making decisions about abused and neglected children’s lives
Without sufficient information, a Seattle judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of these children in court, helping to ensure that they will live in a safe and loving environment. So successful was this Seattle program, that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates.
In 1990, the U.S. Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA’s with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act. Today, there are more than 950 National CASA member programs across the country, with more than 70,000 men and women serving as CASA