Published: November 16, 2009 09:46 pm      

CASA of Jefferson County certified

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Jefferson County has been awarded national certification by the National CASA Association.

The certification recognizes that CASA of Jefferson County is in compliance with the National CASA’s high standards for quality child advocacy.

“It’s very exciting,” said CASA Executive Director Becky Whisenant. “We’ve been through a lot to sustain this program to keep it here, so this kind of recognition has paid off. Our strong board of directors has been instrumental in this happening.”

Board president Ed Suddarth said CASA had to complete two steps in order to be approved by the National CASA.

“The first step is to get provisional membership,” he explained. “In 2006, we made an application for provisional membership into the National CASA and that was approved. To get full membership, you have to go through a very comprehensive self assessment instrument in which they ask a lot of questions. In addition to that, you have to provide supporting documentation — such as a copy of the bylaws, volunteer handbook and personnel policies. So what we have done in the last year, with Becky’s work, has submitted that formal self assessment and it has resulted in our full approval membership by CASA.”

“The National CASA quality assurance process is very rigorous, and reflects our commitment to ensure every child we serve has the most powerful volunteer advocate working on their behalf,” stated Michael Piraino, CEO of the National CASA Association. “This certification says CASA of Jefferson County has demonstrated to us a strong capacity to provide excellent services to the abused and neglected children within their community.”

CASA of Jefferson County was incorporated in 2006 and began accepting cases in January 2008, according to information from Whisenant. The primary job of a CASA volunteer is to advocate for abused and neglected children in juvenile court. Children are represented by trained volunteers who gather information about the child and the case and serve as a “voice” for that child in Juvenile court.

Currently CASA of Jefferson County has 15 volunteer advocates and is in the process of completing a training program which will add three more advocates to serve children.

Suddarth said in order for CASA to maintain the full membership in the National CASA Association, the self assessment will have to be completed every four years.

“I think our program is really growing,” he said. “I think Becky is doing a wonderful job and we are looking to expand our CASA advocates so we can help meet the needs of abused and neglected children in the juvenile court system — which is our mission.”

CASA of Jefferson County is always in need of volunteers, he said, and also has a new Web site, www.jeffersoncountycasa.com.

For more information about CASA, to donate or become a volunteer, you may contact Whisenant at 204-5453.