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This fall, Jessamine County Residents can train to become CASA volunteers and directly impact the future of local children.

A CASA volunteer training specifically for Jessamine, Garrard and Lincoln residents has been scheduled for Oct. 11-Nov. 8 this year. The class will be held in Garrard County and totals 30 hours of training over seven sessions.

CASA volunteers are matched with abused and neglected children who find themselves in the family court system through no fault of their own. Each CASA volunteer visits their assigned child monthly, talks to adults involved in the child’s life and provides reports for Family Court Judge Jeff Moss.

CASA reports give Judge Moss valuable background information he wouldn’t otherwise have, allowing him to order more services that kids need. CASA reports help improve communication and return children to safe, permanent homes faster.

In Jessamine County last year, almost 20 out of every 1,000 children were abused or neglected — well above the state average. Jessamine County’s CASA program currently has the capacity for as many as 25 CASA volunteers, who could serve an average of 50 or more children every year.

Each CASA volunteer spends an average of 5-10 hours per month volunteering and commits to serve for at least two years. CASA volunteers are all at least 21 years old and have passed a background check process. There are no educational requirements, outside of completing the 30-hour training class.

The fall class in Garrard County has sessions from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 11, 18 and 25 and Nov. 1 and 8; and sessions from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 22 and 29.

To sign up for the class, you can fill out an application at www.casaoflexington.org/apply. You can also learn more about the Jessamine County CASA program by emailing jessaminecounty@casaoflexington.org or calling (859) 246-4313. And you can see a full schedule of the upcoming training at www.casaoflexington.org/training. 

CASA of Lexington’s trained and supervised volunteers advocate through the family court systems in Bourbon, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Scott and Woodford counties to ensure all victims of child abuse and neglect are safe and thrive in a permanent home. Changes such as where the child lives or goes to school, changes in social workers, teachers and friends, as well as the uncertainty of what life holds, can be overwhelming for these children.  The CASA volunteer helps recognize what the child needs, works to minimize these detrimental changes, and advocates for positive changes. Learn more at casaoflexington.org, by calling (859) 246-4313 or by emailing info@casaoflexington.org.