CASA NEEDS VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES

Eileen Schlichting gets a little choked up when she tries to explain what being a CASA volunteer means to her.

A Cape Girardeau resident who works at St. Francis Medical Center, Schlichting has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate since 1995.

"Every child deserves a safe, loving environment, and that's what you're working for," she said. "This is one way, maybe in a little way, to impact somebody's life."

CASA needs more volunteers to work with abused or neglected children under the age of 17 in Cape Girardeau, Bollinger and Perry counties who have been placed in "alternate" care, such as foster homes.

Volunteer interviews will be Sept. 18-20, and classes are scheduled to begin Sept. 26 in the Education Department at St. Francis Medical Center.

CASA volunteers are trained and empowered by the court to investigate and advocate for children in the 32nd Judicial Court, which includes the three counties.

The volunteers work with court-appointed attorneys for the children to investigate a child's case and determine what action should be taken by the court.

Volunteers make telephone calls, conduct interviews, review case files and make court appearances.

In addition, they are asked to visit with the child once a month.

"Sometimes, you might see something in these visits or something is said so that you can make a recommendation later," Schlichting said. "Maybe things aren't going well at school or something else was said. You have to keep abreast of what's going on so there aren't any surprises."

Pam Jenkins, CASA director, said there currently are about 14 CASA volunteers in the Cape Girardeau area.

"There are a lot more children being placed in foster care than I have CASAs to cover," she said. "The more I can increase these numbers, the more children we can serve."

Jenkins said the most important qualities she looks for in volunteers are flexibility and a desire to help.

"Although it can be very frustrating, it is very personally rewarding to know that you are helping specifically this one child or sibling group," she said. "You do see results. You are directly involved with this child."

Schlichting said she could think of few things that have been as rewarding for her as being a CASA volunteer.

"Sometimes when you hit a snag in a case, you think, 'Am I doing any good?' But you just keep going. You always want to keep focused on the child," she said.

"I try to think of it as a team thing. If something good happens, it's not my victory. It's the child's victory."

For more information about becoming a CASA volunteer, call 335-1726.