Paulding Juvenile Court Judge Sandra Miller administered the oath to 25 volunteers to be court-appointed special advocates (CASA) for abused and neglected children on Thursday March 31 at Paulding County’s Silver Comet Field. Advocates, Family and friends gathered at the Paulding Airport Terminal Conference Center to watch the volunteers take an oath promising to advocate for the best interests of children placed in the custody of the Department of Family and Children Services.

The newly appointed CASA volunteers join 58 other dedicated community members who have been trained and are advocating for foster children in the county’s juvenile dependency court system. As officers of the court, they ensure that the children’s needs are recognized and their best interests are considered both in the courtroom and in the community. According to Judge Miller, more than 165 children are currently in foster care in Paulding County and many more advocates are still needed.

CASA volunteers are asked to meet with the child regularly and are authorized to interview people in the child’s life such as social workers, attorneys, and teachers. They attend court hearings with the child and report their findings to the judge. As officers of the court, they ensure that the children’s needs are recognized and best interests are considered both in the courtroom and in the community.