Lincoln-Garrard CASA Program Continues to Add Volunteers

Family Court Judge Jeff Moss swears in four new CASA volunteers, who will now begin advocating for the best interests of abused and neglected children in Garrard and Lincoln counties.

Family Court Judge Jeff Moss swore in four new CASA volunteers in November, growing the number of local community members who are making a difference for abused and neglected children in Lincoln and Garrard counties.

"We can't do this without you all," Moss told the new CASA volunteers at their swearing in ceremony.

The new volunteers are Blake Baker, Hope Baker, Ashley Smalley and Stephen Smalley. The Bakers and Smalleys both plan to serve as CASA teams — when two volunteers work on a case together. They will be matched with cases of children in the local family court system who need an advocate.

CASA volunteers visit their CASA children monthly, talk to adults in the children's lives, review records and provide reports to the judge, creating better outcomes for the children.

Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of the CASA program serving Lincoln and Garrard counties, said she is excited at how the program has grown, fueled by impressive support from residents who are willing to give their time to make children's lives better.

"For our population size, we are the fastest growing program in the whole state," she said.

After completing a 30-hour training class, CASA volunteers spend about 5-10 hours a month volunteering and they commit to serve for at least two years. Children who receive a CASA volunteer have more hope for the future, do better in school, receive more services and are far less likely to re-enter the foster care system after their cases close.

Anyone interested in becoming a CASA volunteer can email lincolncounty@casaoflexington.org or garrardcounty@casaoflexington.org for more information, or visit www.casaoflexington.org.

A regional training for new CASA volunteers begins Jan. 9 in Lexington, with classes on evenings and weekends. An in-person training specifically for Lincoln and Garrard volunteers will be held in Lancaster beginning Jan. 23, with classes on evenings and one weekend.

You can view all upcoming CASA volunteer training schedules at www.casaoflexington.org/training.