Twenty-seven new CASA -- Court Appointed Special Advocate -- volunteers were recently sworn in by the 18th Judicial District Court. The volunteers will advocate for abused and neglected children through the private, non-profit organization, Advocates for Children. These new CASA volunteers included: Nicole Beal, Annette Beale, Jennifer Bernhardt, Dayna Cade, Rhonda Clay, Tosha Clay, Chelsey Colburn, Denise Eiseman, Jackie Gates, Becky Haniszewski, Sarah Hein, Lisa Heule, Jeanne Kaufman, Bill Kutler, Carrie Ladyga, Christine Linville, Fred Myers, Beverly Nora, Lindsey Parlin, Dolby Posadas-Olvera, Anja Rathmann, Fernanda Read, Michael Rhoades, Anna Sheahan, Daisy Small, David Witt and Shokoufeh Zarini.

Each volunteer has completed over 30 hours of training and will be assigned to a child who has suffered abuse or neglect. Their task is to get to know all parties involved in the case, “speak up” for the child’s best interests by providing information to the Court that will decide the child’s future and to help find a safe, permanent home for the child.