Savage sworn is as first Scott County CASA volunteer

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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE

Scott County CASA, a program of Advocacy Network for Children, swore in its first CASA volunteer.  Contina Savage was sworn in as the program’s first Scott County by Judge David Cherry at the Scott County Courthouse on June 30.   

CASA volunteers are trained community volunteers appointed by a judge to speak up for abused or neglected children in the court system.  The newly sworn in volunteer received 30 hours of training which included courtroom procedures, working with social service agencies and the special needs of abused and neglected children.  She will represent abused and neglected children in the Scott County court system.

The CASA program expanded its service area to include Scott County in November 2024, which – according to CASA’s Associate Executive Director Danielle Buss – will provide Scott County foster children with more adequate representation in the court system.

“We expanded our CASA program in November, so children in foster care in Scott County will have a voice,” Buss said. “The program is designed to ensure that the childrens’ best interests are being upheld, and to make sure that they have someone speaking on their best interests…’

For her part, Savage said she was prompted to volunteer for the CASA program in order to help local children through the trauma of abuse and neglect proceedings.

“Our children are our future,” Savage said. “I just want to do what I can to help these children, who are in these situations through no fault of their own.”

To carry out the mission of the CASA program in Scott County, the organization is seeking additional volunteers to appear in court on behalf of children. CASA volunteers work alongside attorneys and social workers from case inception to its completion.

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life. They have a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. No special experience is required. Volunteers are selected on the basis of their objectivity, competence and commitment.

Once accepted, volunteers are trained in courtroom procedure, the social service and juvenile court systems, and the special needs of children who have been abused or neglected.

According to the organization’s website, serving as a CASA volunteer takes a commitment of roughly 10-12 hours per month and is a challenging and rewarding endeavor for the community members involved.

Once completely trained  in courtroom procedure, the social service system and the inner workings of the juvenile court system, a CASA volunteer is assigned to a child’s case.

The volunteer is responsible for taking the time to get to know the child and the people who have regular contact with the child. A CASA volunteer reviews records, speaks with parents, foster parents, teachers, and most importantly the child. A CASA volunteer then submits recommendations to the court outlining what is the best interest for the child.

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life. They have a variety of professional, educational, and ethnic backgrounds. No special experience is required. Volunteers are selected on the basis of their objectivity, competence and commitment.

For more information on becoming a CASA volunteer, please call Karolina Anton-Mumma at 217-617-6058.  You can also visit the agency’s website at www.advonet.org.