By Jeff Walker
In years past, Norma Blackwell might see five or six cases on a docket on any given week. Now she sees 17 or more.
Economic times remain difficult in Central Texas, and the demand for services continues to grow.
Such is the case with the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) group here in Central Texas. The non-profit organization that advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system served 86 children in Hays County last year. That number is growing.
“We’re in a tough state right now,” Blackwell, the director of CASA of Central Texas, said. “We see the increase (in demand). We’re doing very, very well. But we want to do better.”
The group will have a wine tasting fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. July 30 at the Courtyard by Marriott in New Braunfels. Daniel Parker, CASA board member and owner of the Winery on the Gruene, will teach attendees “how to trust your taste buds and follow your nose to wine that you will truly enjoy.” But the real message has less to do with aromas and aftertaste and more to do with spreading awareness.
“We want people to learn more about CASA,” Blackwell said. “It’s important to recruit volunteers by hearing from advocates who will be there on site to talk about their experiences.”
Portraits of some of the kids who have gone through the court system and become adopted will be shown, along with a story detailing their experience. Board president Barbetta Womack will offer the opening message at the event, followed by a video presentation.
Blackwell said that the goal is to have 37 percent of the children in the court system to be served by an advocate. Advocates work to find needed services for the child — medical, psychological and even educational — as well as to make a recommendation to the judge about a safe and permanent home. He or she works alongside CPS, attorneys, foster families and mental health professionals, with the ultimate goal of finding a permanent home for the child.
CASA of Central Texas currently has 128 volunteers. To become an advocate, one must go through 40 hours of training, which includes court observation, lectures from CPS representatives, visits from the District Attorney’s office and more.
More information on becoming an advocate will be available at the wine tasting.
