CASA of McHenry County needs volunteers
CASA of McHenry County expects to soon have more cases than volunteers.
More than 100 CASA volunteers currently serve more than 135 children, but there are more than 225 children in McHenry County's juvenile court system. Many of these children are in foster homes and might remain in the system for years before achieving a permanent home.
A recent update to the Illinois Juvenile Court Act, effective Jan. 1, states that all children in abuse and neglect court in Illinois shall be appointed a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). These volunteers give a voice to abused and neglected children by being a consistent, stable adult in the child's life and by providing the court with needed information regarding the child's well-being.
CASA of McHenry County is hosting informational meetings about the volunteer role of a CASA. In-person information sessions will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, in the CASA office, 630 Route 31, Suite 101, Crystal Lake; 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, in the Cary Area Public Library, 1606 Three Oaks Road, Cary; and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, in the Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St.
A virtual information session will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 15. For information, visit www.CASAMcHenryCounty.org.
CASA volunteers take on a single case to dedicate time to collecting the information the judge needs to make decisions in each child's best interests.