CASA of St. Landry expands

CASA of St. Landry recently expanded its service area into Evangeline Parish. 
Madelyn Rosette, executive director of CASA of St. Landry, said “We service all of St. Landry Parish, and we just incorporated Evangeline Parish on February 1.”
She continued, “It’s a slow process, kind of, getting to know the judges, the DA, the ways that they operate.”
There are 66 children in foster care in Evangeline Parish, and CASA of St. Landry services six of those children. There are four active CASA volunteers for Evangeline Parish — two recently completed training classes and two St. Landry Parish volunteers were transitioned to Evangeline Parish.  
Rosette and several of her CASA of St. Landry colleagues attended the Eunice Rotary Club meeting on Wednesday. 
Court appointed special advocates or CASAs are trained community volunteers appointed by a judge to serve as a child’s voice in court. CASAs represent the best interests of abused or neglect child during juvenile court and child protection proceedings. CASA of St. Landry is a non-profit with both private and public funding sources. 
“You don’t have to have a special skill set to be a volunteer,” Rosette said. “You just need to be able to pass a criminal background check, be at least 21 or older, and we would love to get you trained to help out the kids of the parish.”
There are 73 children in foster care in St. Landry Praish, and CASA of St. Landry services 49 of the children. Of those 49, 27 are 4 and under. In 2015, CASA of St. Landry St. Landry serviced 109 children. Fifty-two were united to their families, 11 were placed with relatives or legal guardians, and six children were adopted. There are 26 active volunteers in the parish, and all CASA volunteers train for 30 hours and do two hours of court observation. 
“Our volunteers train extensively,” Rosette said. “We noticed that a lot of people were interested in becoming a volunteer, but they couldn’t commit to the time of coming to class.”
In order to accommodate those unable to make it to classes, the office incorporated the Flex Training program through the national CASA organization. Volunteers complete classes on line and five in person,fulfilling their 30 hours of training.
“Flex Training volunteers also do the two hours of court observation,” Rosette said. “We don’t just throw them in. We say, ‘Come on and observe, meet the judges, get sworn in, and learn what CASA is about.’” 
She continued, “We are always looking for volunteers to come out and be a part of this great organization. We always welcome community support. You don’t have to know the legal system to be a volunteer. We will get you trained. If you don’t know your way around a computer, don’t let that limit you at all. We do everything we possible can to make sure that our children are safe.” 
In addition to working with foster children, CASAs are also appointed for children still living with their families through the Child in Need of Care program.
“Children must be declared by a judge to be in program,” Rosette said. “We have under 10 cases like this. Usually it is something minor, like neglect, not physical abuse.”
Earlier this year, Rosette received the CASA Outstanding Executive Director Award for the whole state.
Gloria Nye, CASA of St. Landry Board member, said, “We are very blessed to have Madelyn as our director.” 
“After her win, Evangeline Parish was added to our area. It’s a big increase in our responsibilities, and we are glad to be able to serve the children of Evangeline Parish. We are reaching out to the community. We need more support.”
Nye, who has served on the CASA of St. Landry board for several years, said that while CASA of St. Landry is funded for things like buildings, salaries and operational costs, money is needed to conduct child abuse prevention education. Rosette just finished writing next fiscal year’s budget proposal. 
Rosette added. “Some things we are not funded for, so that’s why donations and fundraisers are so important.” 
The organization recently held balloon releases in Eunice and in Opelousas.  
“We wanted to bring awareness to the fact that last year in Louisiana, 39 died from children died from child abuse,” Nye said. “We are trying to increase awareness and educate the public about child abuse.” 
She added, “On average, there are about 5,000 children in foster care system in the state each year. It is a really sad thing. There are about 300 children a month going into the system.” 
CASA of St. Landry is seeking donations for its $25 for 25 fundraiser, and the goal is to receive enough $25 donations to have an advocate for every child in foster care in the parish by the year 2025. CASA of St. Landry will also hold its annual banquet on June 16 in Opelousas. Tickets are $25, and sponsorships are available. 
“We fundraise so we can get out in the community and recruit advocates,” Nye said.
She continued, “We can do better. There are things we can do to educate people and get the word out there. We would like to encourage you. We all have family members or neighbors or co-workers who are looking for a way to be involved and make a difference.” 
For more information, contact CASA of St. Landry at 337-948-3550.