Employee reports
The Court Appointed Special Attorneys (CASA) for Bell and Coryell counties swore in seven new attorneys on Thursday, August 1, according to a CASA press release.
CASA said the event marks a significant milestone for the organization as it continues to grow its team of volunteers dedicated to the welfare of children in foster care.
With this new class of volunteers, CASA has hired a total of 25 new advocates in 2024. This brings CASA’s total number of advocates to over 150 – the highest number of volunteer advocates Bell and Coryell Counties have ever had.
CASA Program Director Denise Hanley welcomed the group and stated how pleased she was that they were willing to step up and help CASA serve more children in the area. “These new volunteers will enjoy working with our CASA staff and making a huge difference for the children and families assigned to CASA,” Hanley said in the release. “We are committed to serving as many children as possible in both of our counties, and these new advocates will give us the opportunity to help more children who need a CASA by their side.”
The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Judge Chris Cornish of the Centex Child Protection Court, who welcomed the new attorneys into their roles. Cornish emphasized the importance of their work and the positive impact they will have on the lives of the children they will serve.
The new attorneys recently completed a comprehensive training program designed to prepare them for their important role in assisting children in court. Their training included learning about the child protection system, understanding the unique needs of children in foster care, and acquiring the skills necessary to successfully advocate in court and in the community.
With the formal swearing-in, the attorneys are now ready to be assigned to cases where they will work to ensure that every child they represent has a voice in the legal process and that their best interests are considered in all decisions.
The organization says adding these new advocates will allow it to reach more children in need and provide the personalized support CASA is known for.
“CASA is proud of these new advocates and their commitment to improving the lives of children,” the press release said. “Their willingness to volunteer their time and energy reflects a deep dedication to our mission of providing a safe and permanent home for every child.”
Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a CASA volunteer can visit www.casabellcoryell.org or call (254) 774-1881.