CASA of Lexington Adds 14 New CASA Volunteers

Fayette Family Court Judge Lucinda Masterton, far right, swears in the newest class of CASA volunteers on April 14.

Fourteen people in central Kentucky were sworn in as CASA volunteers this month.

Fayette County Family Court Judge Lucinda Masterton swore in the newest class of Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers on April 14, enabling them to begin advocating for abused and neglected children.

More than 1,600 children were abused or neglected in CASA of Lexington’s seven-county service area last year. There are many more cases still moving through the courts from prior years.

“CASA volunteers serve fewer than one in five children currently in the family courts,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “These new volunteers will enable us to serve more children in need — as many as 35 children may benefit from these volunteers’ work in their first year.”

CASA volunteers advocate for the best interests of children in the family court system, providing details the judge otherwise might not have and identifying children’s needs that have been overlooked. Research has shown CASA volunteers help children receive more services, do better in school and return to safe, permanent homes faster.

CASA volunteers complete a 30-hour preservice training before being sworn in and assigned to a case. They volunteer 5-10 hours a month, on average, for a minimum of two years.

“If you have a heart for helping kids, you are needed right now,” Jamison said. “You can help end cycles of abuse and neglect, restore families and give kids brighter futures by becoming a CASA volunteer.”

In 2021, CASA of Lexington had 278 CASA volunteers who advocated for 616 abused and neglected children.

CASA of Lexington’s next training is a condensed summer training that allows new volunteers to complete all 30 hours in a single week, from June 27 to July 1. More information is available at www.casaoflexington.org/training.