by KAREN LAGRANGE COX
Court Appointed Special Advocate of Southern Louisiana (CASA of SoLA) is a private, non-profit organization that provides volunteer community advocates in Lafayette, Acadia, and Vermilion parishes.
These advocates serve as the voice in court for children aged zero to seventeen who have mental illness, have been physically or sexually abused, neglected, abandoned, or are substance-exposed newborns.
The organization’s objective is to advocate for the well-being of children going through the trauma of the court system, such as juvenile court and child protection proceedings, and to work to guide the child safely, quickly, and effectively. Their goal is to act in the child’s best interest, which usually entails reuniting them with their parents, another family member, foster parents or finding the child a least restrictive permanent placement.
Each advocate is trained and then sworn in by a judge before they are appointed to a child’s case and work with a child.
An advocate is responsible for gathering all available details about a child’s case, such as medical records, mental health records, and files with the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS). The advocate will also interview everyone involved in the child’s case, including the child, parents, caseworkers, teachers, and anyone who has interacted with the child. Information will be used to ensure that the child’s best interests are served.
In addition to working with the child, CASA of SoLA supports the child and their family, as a whole.
CASA of SoLA consists of Director Kade Turner, Andrané Tauriac, Volunteer Coordinator, and Cameron Hulin and Shanel Jackson, advocate supervisors. The organization has sixty to eighty volunteer advocates working for the best interests of the children served.
CASA of SoLA receives grants and donations from businesses or individuals. The organization is housed in the United Way of Acadiana building on 215 East Pinhook Road in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The mission of CASA of SoLA is “The mission of Court Appointed Special Advocates of South Louisiana is to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect in our community. By standing with these children we advocate for safe, permanent, and nurturing homes where they can have the opportunity to thrive.” [source]
To learn more about CASA of SoLA, visit its website.
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