Eleven CASA of Lexington Volunteers Sworn in as Advocates for Children in Family Court

Fayette County Family Court Judge Libby Messer, center top, swears in 11 new CASA volunteers and two staff members over Zoom on Tuesday evening.

Eleven central Kentuckians were sworn in as volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children Tuesday by Fayette County Family Court Judge Libby Messer.

The new Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers will now be matched with children who have suffered abuse or neglect. They will advocate for the children's best interests, helping ensure the children receive services and are returned to safe, permanent homes faster.

"Thank you so much. CASA means so much to all of us in family court," Judge Messer told the new CASA volunteers during the virtual swearing in ceremony. "I know I speak for all four (Fayette County Family Court) judges when I say that you are one of the most important people in our courtroom. Your reports are always fantastic and you give us so much insight into what these kiddos need and what their lives are really like."

The new CASA volunteers completed a 30-hour training provided by CASA of Lexington prior to being sworn in. The training prepares community members of all backgrounds to serve as CASA volunteers. Once each volunteer is assigned to a case, they will spend 5 to 10 hours a month visiting with the children on the case, interviewing adults involved in the children's lives and writing reports for the judge.

"You spend more time with these children than anybody else," Judge Messer told the new volunteers. "We appreciate that. We appreciate your dedication and your willingness to take this on. It's difficult work, but it's absolutely worthwhile work and needed work and we're so happy to have you."

Last year, volunteers with CASA of Lexington advocated for the best interests of 583 children in the family court systems of Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties. Research has shown children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to do well in school; more likely to return to a safe, permanent home faster; and half as likely to re-enter the foster system later.

Unfortunately, there are hundreds more children in the family court systems served by CASA of Lexington who could benefit from having a CASA volunteer appointed to their case.

"These 11 new volunteers will probably help more than 20 children each year," said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. "We need more people like them to give a few hours of their time each month. It's volunteer work that truly makes a lifelong difference in the lives of these kids."

Judge Messer said she hopes to see the new CASA volunteers in her courtroom soon.

"I can't wait for you to get started," she said.