At last week’s Princeton Rotary Club meeting, Stephanie Moss of the Child Watch Counseling and Advocacy Center in Paducah highlighted the vital role of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in supporting child victims across western Kentucky.
Moss, the CASA Program Director, shared with Rotarians that the Advocacy Center, established 40 years ago, offers three key programs: free trauma therapy for child victims in western Kentucky, child abuse prevention education in regional elementary schools, and CASA services initiated three years ago.
click to download audioShe explained that judges assign a CASA advocate to a child when they believe an additional perspective would be beneficial for the case.
Moss noted that the CASA program was initiated around 42 years ago by a Seattle judge overwhelmed by the number of abuse cases and the challenging decisions affecting children’s lives.
click to download audioShe stated that CASA volunteers are dedicated to advocating for the child.
click to download audioMoss added that the Paducah office’s CASA program has 60 volunteers serving the six counties. She mentioned that CASA volunteers undergo a 5-week training process.
click to download audioAfter training, Moss said each volunteer is assigned a case manager and is sworn in.
click to download audioShe stated that there are approximately 100,000 volunteers nationwide assisting around 250,000 children, with the program growing in Kentucky due to it being in the Stop 5 states for child abuse. Volunteers typically contribute 4 to 10 hours each month.
Moss explained that while being a CASA volunteer requires a significant commitment, it is incredibly rewarding, as volunteers witness the positive impact and lasting benefits in the children’s lives.
