Bakersfield.com

Last year in Kern County  there were 25,191 reports of child abuse and neglect. Many of our 3,400 dependents of the court have been sent to live in foster care. Some of these kids are actually moved from one temporary placement to another until they reach 18, never knowing what it is like to have a safe, permanent and loving place to call home.

Almost half a million children  in the United States live in foster care, meant to be a temporary haven. They have been removed from their homes, not because they did anything wrong, but because they've been abused or neglected.

One judge had an idea  to help these children find a way into safe, permanent homes more quickly. In Kern County and all over California and the nation, communities and the courts have worked together to establish programs to recruit, screen, train, supervise, and support volunteer community members to advocate for the best interests of individual abused children. These CASA programs are known by several names: Voices For Children, Choices For Children, Child Advocates, Child Advocacy Program, Court Appointed Special Representative Program, Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem Programs, and of course, Court Appointed Special Advocate or CASA programs - and of course, CASA of Kern County.

CASAs are trained volunteers  who are appointed by a judge to speak up for the best interests of a child. Now, there are over 42,000 CASA volunteers helping abused and neglected children all across the country. But, 3/4 of the children who need a CASA don't have one.

You can help  these girls and boys to have a voice in court, and a chance at a future.

User Name:CASAofKernCounty
Real Name:CASA of Kern County
Email:MLCushine@KernCASA.org
Address:
2000 24th Street, Suite 130
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Member Since:December 27, 2006
Last Signed In:May 19, 2008
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