Jessamine County CASA Volunteer Training Starts Oct. 2

Nicholasville, Ky. (Sept. 6, 2023) – Anyone who wants to serve as a CASA volunteer and help improve the lives of abused and neglected children in Jessamine County can now sign up for a training class beginning Oct. 2.

The “Guided Learning” online format includes seven two-hour Zoom classes, along with homework-style assignments completed on participants’ own time, for a total of 30 hours of training. At the end of the training, new volunteers will be sworn in by Family Court Judge Jeff Moss and can begin advocating for abused and neglected children in the Jessamine County Family Court system.

CASA services came to Jessamine County about two years ago. Since then, the program has grown to serve dozens of children every year, thanks to local volunteers.

Judge Moss has said he values the input he receives from CASA volunteers because they are regular people and bring a different perspective into the courtroom.

CASA volunteers invest roughly 5-10 hours a month in their assigned cases, and they commit to serving for a minimum of two years. Each CASA volunteer is matched with a child who has suffered abuse or neglect. They visit the child monthly, talk to adults in the child’s life, review records and write reports for Judge Moss.

"I get a cabinet report and that's good, but the CASA report gives me more and it gives me different insights,” Moss said at the most recent swearing-in ceremony for new CASA volunteers. “The level of detail and information you will be able to include because you have this relationship with the child is truly valuable.”

If you would like to join the October training class, you can apply online at www.casaoflexington.org/apply. Virtual classes will be 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 2, 4, 11, 18 and 25; and Nov. 1 and 8. You can learn more about what the training covers at www.casaoflexington.org/training.