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CASA
gives kids ‘a voice in court’ By LEAH SANDER Staff Writer Court Appointed Special Advocates gives kids “a voice in court when their families have become involved with (the Indiana Department of Child Services),” said Sherry Shepherd. Shepherd has served as the director of CASA of Fulton County for almost 10 years. She spoke with The Shopping Guide News of Fulton County in light of April being National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Through CASA, which has existed in the county since 1991, volunteers spend time with individual kids or sibling groups and then speak on their behalf in neglect or abuse cases. “When it comes to legal issues, children do not have the rights that parents do and sometimes they get kind of overlooked,” said Shepherd. “They need to be remembered and heard, and what is in their best interest needs to be at the forefront.” She said Fulton County Circuit Court Judge Christopher Lee appoints CASAs to cases. There are currently 11 CASA volunteers in the county, with two more being trained. Shepherd also helps cover cases. Volunteers generally handle two cases at a time, said Shepherd. “I do have some volunteers that only have one,” she said. “Some will take two depending
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HELPING KIDS — Court Appointed Special Advocates of Fulton County Director Sherry Shepherd holds a pinwheel outside the CASA office, 420 Main St., Rochester. Pinwheels symbolize child abuse prevention, with April being the national month for that. Photo by Leah Sander. on where we’re at in (a) case. If we’re just cruising along waiting for parents to finish that one little thing, some of my volunteers will take on a third case then.” Shepherd said volunteers need to “be nonjudgmental” and willing to stay on the same case for its duration. “Two to three years is normally what we’re on a case,” she said. To become a CASA in the county, people need to be 21 years old and pass local and national background checks and go through training. They don’t have to live in the county though. Shepherd said snowbirds are also welcome to be CASAs. “We always figure out something (to accommodate that),” she said. She hopes to have at least 20 volunteers and said more male ones would be welcomed. “Sometimes you have those teenage kids ... they just feel
more comfortable talking guy stuff,” said Shepherd. She praised the current volunteers. “They all give selflessly of themselves and their time, and they all bring a unique quality, knowledge and great ideas,” said Shepherd. “We’ve got a great group.” To become a CASA volunteer, people should call (574) 223-2183 or email casafultoncounty2@rtcol.com. People may also find an application at casaoffultoncounty.com. As it is April, pinwheels, which serve as a symbol for preventing abuse against kids, have been placed in front of the CASA office at 420 Main St., Rochester. A fundraiser pickleball tournament for CASA of Fulton County is Saturday, April 20, at the courts at 701 E. Sixth St., Rochester. People are welcome to watch, with play planned to start at 8
a.m. and run past 3 p.m. Another fundraiser, a fishing tournament at Lake Manitou, is planned for Sunday, May 26. People should look for a form to enter that to be put on CASA of Fulton County’s Facebook page in the next few weeks. Shepherd said she might consider having a second pickleball fundraiser tournament in the fall. To donate to CASA of Fulton County, people may send checks to 420 Main St. Rochester, IN 46975, or drop them off there. Shepherd emphasized the need for CASA. “We are a positive person in a child’s life at a major crisis point,” she said. “We’re one person that’s always in a child’s life during that critical time that sometimes they just need a hug or an ear or just a smile that lets them know that they’re being heard. We work for them.”
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