A central Illinois agency aimed at protecting children in abusive situations is highlighting a program that assigns individuals with just a single child to be there for them throughout a case they may find themselves in.
The CASA program or the Court Appointed Special Advocate, is coordinated by the Children's Advocacy Center and the Child Protection Network's Samantha Stevenson explains this person is with the child nearly from the start of their case with DCFS until its conclusion.
Stevenson touts the benefits of working with a child throughout their case and says they not only hear back from their CASAs the benefits but also the fact they remain close to that child long after the case has been resolved.
Being a CASA can be very demanding from a physical and emotional standpoint and Stevenson indicates once you have concluded a case with a child, the CPN insists CASAs take a year or so break to recharge and reconnect with family and friends.
Get more information by finding the CASA program for the Children's Advocacy Center on Facebook. You can also contact Molly Evans by email at molly.evans@mcleancountyil.gov or by calling 309-888-5656.
