Posted on Dec 04, 2018

We were visited by Taryn Marko, director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for children. Started in Winnebago County in 1987, CASA trains volunteers who act as advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system. CASA volunteers participate with the children to learn of their situation first hand and then deliver to the court their opinion on what steps need to be taken to assist the children in the best manner. The children don’t go to court, the CASA volunteers do. The advocates are considered a Guardian ad Litem (at Law).  Judges accept nearly all the CASA volunteers' recommendations.  CASA members visit with the children, their families, teachers, physicians and so on, typically once per month and commit to about 10 hours of volunteer work per month.. Often they are the only consistent voice or contact in these children’s lives.  Volunteers are asked to complete training several times per year with judges, attorneys and other CASA staff and will be screened closely for commitment and objectivity, among other things. Last year CASA volunteers helped over 300 children but there are approximately 800 still waiting for an advocate.  Thank you to Taryn and all the CASA volunteers for what they do to advocate for the children.