Each month, the Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) holds a meeting of all 49 regional CASAs. At its most recent meeting, it was announced that Central Georgia CASA – from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023 – had the largest increase in number of children served (21%) and was in the top five increase for volunteerism (15%) for all regional organizations. Additionally, it’s the first time in a decade the organization has been able to serve more than 60% of children in care. Central Georgia CASA serves and supports children in Macon-Bibb County and is in its second year as a partner in the Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) program.
“MVP has been critical to the expansion of services,” says CASA Executive Director Susanna Patterson. “The grants allowed us to hire the necessary staff to recruit, screen, train, and support volunteers, and the increased visibility of being part of MVP has helped us get the word out to the community and attract potential volunteers.”
“This is amazing news for our local CASA, but it’s even better news for children in the foster care system who are looking for someone to stand up for them, help guide them through the system, and help set them on the path to a successful life,” says Mayor Lester Miller. “What CASA is able to do is to help ensure children have the services and stability they need.”
In June, Central Georgia CASA was one of 31 organizations to receive funds in the second round of MVP grants being administered by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia (CFCG). It received $60,000 to recruit and train volunteers to serve a greater number of youth aged 12+ and fund staff to provide supervision and support to these volunteers. The span of time for which it is being recognized for increasing services to more children was funded by $25,000 from the first round of MVP grants.
CASAs are sworn in through the foster care system and meet with their assigned child at least once a month, as well as the child’s doctors, teachers, case workers, foster parents, and often their biological parents to make sure the child’s needs are being met. They also meet with DFCS, the court system, and other agencies to support the child, and prepare written and oral reports to present to the courts. The goal is to make sure that child is receiving the support and care they need. This commitment takes about 10-15 hours per month.
“Our volunteers really get a chance to know these children, providing a real value to our entire system. Our judges love them and the information and perspective they bring,” says Patterson, pointing out they are the advocates for the children in court decisions, bringing information directly to the judges. “We may not be able to individually change the entire world, but by becoming a CASA volunteer, we can change the world for individual children, which makes all the difference.”
People interested in having a major and positive impact on the life of a child can sign up for the next training cohort, which begins the week of October 23. There is a five-week training course where they attend weekly classes via Zoom, complete online course work, and observe court cases prior to certification.
To sign up to be a volunteer, contact Beth Morris at beth.morris@cgcasa.org. You can also visit https://www.cgcasa.org/volunteer/apply-now/ to apply.
“If we’re going to prevent future crime, we need to start earlier and earlier…making sure our children are supported, are loved, and are the center of our worlds,” adds Mayor Miller. “With Central Georgia CASA, we can connect the most loving people in our community with the children who need them the most.”
“Ultimately, this is about giving more children a brighter future, and with the support of Mayor Miller, the Community Foundation, and Macon Violence Prevention program, we are able to do just that,” says Patterson. “Children paired with an advocate that cares for them do better in school, have better home stability, and are better behaved in and out of school.”
To volunteer, you must be 21 years or older, and be able to pass a background check. The only requirement otherwise is to be compassionate and ready to help. Anyone can be a volunteer, but Patterson says they are looking for people with a heart for children, are not afraid to ask the hard questions, and are ready to advocate for a child’s best interests.
Retired educators and nurses make great volunteers, and they are especially in need of men as volunteers. Of the 50 volunteers currently working with CASA, only 3 are men. The time commitment is 10-15 hours per month, mostly from phone calls and checking on case work. They ask that the volunteer meet with the child or children in person at least once per month.