On Tuesday morning at the Bastrop County Courthouse, the Honorable Judge Benton Eskew officially swore in eight new CASA volunteers. From left to right we welcome Jim Barringer (Bastrop), Judit Castillo (Elgin), Bill Laubenberg (Elgin), Morgan Heine (Elgin), Gage Counts (Bastrop), Alma Villareal (Flatonia), Johana Cardenas (Bastrop), and Howard Griffith (Bastrop). Also known as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), these dedicated volunteers will work with CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties to advocate for children and families involved in the foster care system.

This new class of CASA volunteers will be assigned to a child or sibling group, for whom they will commit to advocating until the closure of their case. As a part of their advocacy, they will get to know important adults in the life of the child they represent, such as parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors, therapists, and more.

“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,” said Kristi Bauer, Executive Director of CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties. “Our volunteers are dedicated to doing their very best on behalf of the children and families they serve.”

CASA volunteers go through 30 hours of in-depth, pre-service training before they are appointed by a judge to their case. They advocate for the child they represent in every facet of their life and make recommendations to the court about their best interest. Volunteers advocate for reunification as their primary goal whenever it is safe and possible to do so. When reunification is not an option, they may advocate for the child to live with another relative or family friend. They can also advocate for the child to be placed in an adoptive home. In all cases, CASA volunteers are steadfast, consistent presences for the children they serve, making sure they are safe and have the resources and connections they need to grow and thrive. They work with families to build life-long support systems for both the child and parents that will continue after the case is closed.

“We’re so excited to have this new class join our team of CASA Volunteers,” said Bauer. “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.”

If you are interested in becoming a CASA Volunteer at CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties, please contact our program’s Recruiter and Trainer, Rita Coduto, at rita.coduto@casabfl.org or visit our website at casabfl.org/volunteer/ for more information.