Tehachapi News

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 On Thursday November 2^nd, 28 CASA volunteers completed training and were sworn in as Court Appointed Special Advocates.  Of these 28 new advocates, nine are from Tehachapi.  They include Barbara Day, Carol Fenwick, Roxanne Flom, Carol Gardella, Luanne Giao, Ruth Ingraham, Margie Lorenger, Betty Stalknaker and Karey Youngblood.  These nine women will fill an urgent need for CASA workers in the Tehachapi area, and they will be matched with children who desperately need someone to speak up for them in juvenile dependency hearings in Kern County. 

CASA volunteers are matched with abused abandoned and neglected children who are dependents of the court.  These children have been removed from their families and placed in the foster care system, often separated from their siblings and significant adults in their lives.  CASAs are appointed by the judge to serve as the eyes and ears of the court, and spend time with the child as well as making contact with the child’s teacher, care providers, therapist, social worker, attorney and natural parents if appropriate.  By gathering information and making informal assessments, the CASA volunteer is able to make recommendations to the court in the best interests of the child or children to whom they are assigned. 

Court Appointed Special Advocates make a commitment to 18 months to the program, are required to attend court hearings every six months, and spend an average of 10 – 15 hours per month to their volunteer work.  All volunteers must undergo a screening process before being accepted to the 36 hour training.  For information about becoming a CASA volunteer, contact Kate Kenney at (661) 321-4873.