County had 526 cases of abuse, neglect in past year

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1. 

   jackiesk

   April 15, 2016 at 9:27 pm

   I worked with Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) in Northern California as a substitute teaching assistant in juvenile hall, the community court schools, and the school at the county Children’s Home. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) had begun training in Sonoma County . I’d. come to care deeply for the kids who were so displaced. I took the 40 hours of training and was sworn in as an officer of the court to be a CASA. A CASA is a person who is trained and works as a volunteer for the child in the family case. I was deeply impressed that the whole focus was on helping and respecting the family and giving them all the help and tools possible to reunite them. So many teens in the Children’s Home wold say, “Mrs. Koch! Would you be my CASA?” Such a huge need. The CASA works only for the needs and desires of the child, spending time with them and learning their perspective and perceived needs and desires, and representing this whenever the case comes before the court. Hancock has this program in place. Hardin County is considering it. There are plenty of Hardin County people who are interested in being trained and serving this huge need as volunteers. I am ready myself, I’ve done the course work for Hancock/Hardin County to be prepared for when CASA gets the green light in Hardin County. We need this!

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