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, 21 or older, 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. For questions, contact Debra McQuaid, director of advocate education, at (630) 444-3110 or debm@casakane county.org.

The next sessions will be 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays, Aug. 15, Sept. 12 and 19; 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Aug. 17, 31, Sept. 7 and 14; 9 to 10 a.m. Thursdays, Sept. 15 and 22; and 11 a.m. to noon Fridays, Aug. 26, Sept. 2 and 9, at the CASA office in the historic Kane County courthouse, 100 S. Third St., fourth floor, Geneva.

Three other informational sessions will be offered from 6 to 7 p.m. on: Tuesday, Sept. 13, at Two Brothers Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway in Aurora; Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St. in Elgin; or Tuesday, Sept. 27, 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 16 staff and 281 active CASA/GAL volunteers advocate for more than 600 children annually.