CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
LEE COUNTY — Gov. Kay Ivey recently awarded a total of $2.3 million in federal funds to ensure support for children and adult victims of abuse, sexual assault and other types of cruelty in multiple counties in Alabama.
The funding came from the U.S. Department of Justice and will be distributed to six agencies throughout Alabama that provide critical services for assault and abuse victims. Among the organizations awarded funds, the Alabama Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) received $1.43 million. Alabama CASA is the parent organization for 15 local programs across the state, including Lee County CASA, which provide technical assistance, volunteer training and public awareness initiatives to help children who are victims of physical abuse and neglect, domestic violence or trafficking.
According to its website, Lee County CASA opened its doors in 2011 with the mission of providing carefully screened, trained and supervised volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children in dependency proceedings. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for abused and neglected children from birth to age 19 in Lee County by providing them a voice in court. The goal is to ensure that they don’t get lost in the overburdened social service system or languish in inappropriate and temporary foster and group homes. CASA volunteers are specially trained and remain on each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home.
Contact Aubree Walsh at awalsh@twincedars.org for more information about becoming a volunteer advocate.
