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Seven local residents recently joined the growing ranks of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Bastrop County (CASA) and its mission to support and guide children in need.
Judge Benton Eskew swore in the CASA volunteers at the Bastrop County Courthouse Nov. 18. The appointees will serve area children and families as they navigate the foster care system.
“It is a long-term commitment and requires a lot of heart, but there just isn’t another volunteer experience that matches what you’ll get with CASA,” Executive Director Kristi Bauer said in a statement. Inductees include Judit Castillo, Bill Laubenberg and Morgan Heine of Elgin, and Jim Barringer, Gage Counts, Johana Cardenas and Howard Griffith of Bastrop. They were joined by Alma Villareal of Flatonia.
As newly appointed CASA volunteers, each will advocate for a child or sibling group until their foster case is closed. Members meet with adults involved in the child’s life, including parents, foster families, teachers, doctors and therapists to help determine what is in the child’s best interest.
“Our volunteers are dedicated to doing their very best on behalf of the children and families they serve,” Bauer said. “I know that they will do amazing work that will positively impact the children and families in the foster care system right here in our community.”
Volunteers complete 30 hours of pre-service training before being appointed by a judge. CASA’s primary goal is safe reunification when possible, and volunteers help ensure children have a consistent presence and access to needed resources throughout their case, according to officials.
More information on volunteer opportunities is available at casabfl.org/ volunteer.
