April 27 was a special day for the Youth Service Bureau’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteers as they attended a CASA Appreciation Reception hosted at the Baer House by Johni Miles-Blount, who is also a CASA Volunteer.  Blue ribbons were given to the guests to be worn in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.  

Youth Service Bureau CASA Director Mary Slazer welcomed the volunteers, who are trained by the Bureau as advocates who speak in court for abuse and neglected children, and thanked them for their efforts on behalf of the children of Washington Parish.  

 “April is child abuse prevention month, and every one of us can do something to help break the cycle of child abuse and neglect,” Slazer said.  “We can check in on a neighbor’s ‘latch key’ child, offer to run errands for a busy or overwhelmed parent, or volunteer for an organization that supports families.  Serving as a CASA Volunteer for a child in foster care can make a tremendous difference.  Youth Service Bureau CASA is looking for caring adults with a heart for children to speak up for these innocent victims of abuse or neglect.”

CASA Supervisor Sharon Lorio and CASA Volunteers / Youth Service Bureau board members Malinda White and Claire McGuire attend the CASA Appreciation Reception at the Baer House in Bogalusa in April. COURTESY PHOTO Advertisement

Bogalusa City Court Judge Robert Black and CASA staff members Sharon Lorio, Traci Collins, Jean Simmons, and Robyn Sprehe-Clavel also expressed their appreciation to the volunteers for their many hours of service for word about the pressing need for CASA Volunteers in Washington Parish.  

Sprehe-Clavel, who coordinated the special event, said, “I am so grateful for the knowledgeable, dedicated, and caring CASA Volunteers in this community. Because of you, the lives of children are greatly improved.”

Training for new CASA Volunteers in Washington Parish starts soon, and the application process is currently underway.  To apply to become a CASA Voluneer, the applicant must be at least 21 years of age and a high school graduate, have no involvement with the child protection system, and must complete a thorough criminal background screening.  Trainees participate in a comprehensive training covering issues particular to the needs of abused and neglected children.  

There is no particular professional experience needed.  There is no charge for the training and Youth Service Bureau provides all materials.  Applying is not a commitment to serve as a CASA Volunteer, but just the first step in the process.    

More than 300 children spent time in foster care last year in Washington Parish.  They ranged from infants born exposed to drugs, to teenagers who had been abandoned and found themselves in the system through no fault of their own.  Each of these children would benefit from a trained, caring volunteer advocate to be their voice in court.

For more information, or to inquire about becoming a CASA Volunteer, or to make a donation, call 985-735-9114 or 985-649-4092, or go to www.ysbworks.com.