The statistics are deeply troubling.  Each year in Cambria County, more than 800 children who suffer abuse or neglect find themselves in the court system awaiting their fate.  Will they be allowed to remain with their parents?  Will they end up in foster care for a time? Or is it in their best interest to be freed up for adoption?  Whatever the case, the goal is for all these children to live in safe, permanent, nurturing homes.  Since 1997, Cambria County CASA Beginnings has provided specially trained volunteers to be the voices for these children.  CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates.  CASA volunteers work for the judge to review and monitor cases of children who become part of the juvenile justice system.  CASA volunteers work closely with the children and their families to bring an independent assessment of the case to court, recommending to the judge what is best for the child's future.  Quite often, a CASA volunteer is the only constant adult presence in a child's life.  These volunteers are the eyes and ears of the court in the home, and the voice of the child in court.

Over the past 11 years, 344 children have been helped by 117 trained volunteers.  Currently, 27 volunteers are working with 40 children.  A new CASA training class will begin February 24, 2009. After 45 hours of initial training, 12 hours of ongoing annual training are required, but volunteers can easily fill this requirement by attending monthly "CASA Cafes" that give them the opportunity to learn and share experiences with other volunteers.  Independent study is also available. It doesn't take a special background or knowledge to be a CASA volunteer.  We are everyday people from a variety of backgrounds, who share a commitment to care for the most vulnerable children in our community.  We are thoroughly trained in courtroom procedure, social services, the juvenile justice system and the special needs of abused and neglected children so we can work effectively for our children.

If you are interested in speaking up for a child in need, please call Cambria County CASA at 814-539-1919 and ask for Debbie Marx, Volunteer Coordinator.  Or you can e-mail Debbie at dmarx@beginningsinc.org. The CASA Advisory Board includes Sue Neatrour, Chairperson; Rosemary Zenone, Co-Chairperson; Margaret McGlynn, Secretary, and board members Terry Malzi, Beverly Ragan, Debbie Vitko and Amanda Fowler.  The CASA legal advisor is David Raho, Esq. More information about CASA can be found at www.nationalcasa.org or www.pacasa.org.