Help give abused or neglected children a voice in court

You can help give abused or neglected children a voice in court. CASA Kane County will hold general information meetings for individuals interested in becoming a court-appointed special advocate volunteer for abused and neglected children.

It is an everyday citizen, specially trained by CASA Kane County, who is appointed by the juvenile court judge to advocate for the safety and well-being of children who are victims of abuse and neglect.

CASA volunteers are appointed as guardians ad litem for children younger than 21 and act as the eyes and ears of the judge by documenting each child's circumstances and making recommendations for services and permanency.

The ultimate goal of the CASA/GAL is to help ensure that every child lives in a safe and permanent home. This could mean reunification with their parents, placement with relatives or adoption by a loving family.

If you are at least 21 years old and want to learn more, contact Debra McQuaid, director of advocate education, at (630) 444-3110 or debm@casakane county.org to attend one of the meetings.

The next sessions will be 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesdays, May 18 and 25; and 1 to 2 p.m. Fridays, May 20 and 27, at CASA office in the historic Kane County courthouse, 100 S. Third St., 4th floor, Geneva.

Two other informational sessions will be offered from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway in Aurora; or 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Pal Joey's, 31 N. River St. in Batavia.

For more information about CASA, visit www.casakane county.org or follow the agency on Facebook.

The organization has been serving all the abuse/neglect and private guardianship cases in the 16th Judicial Circuit of Kane County since 2000. CASA Kane County's 14 staff and 280 active CASA/GAL volunteers advocate for more than 600 children annually.