By Staff
One group of volunteers who perform a very needed task are the Cass County CASAs.
The Court Appointed Special Advocates speak for children, some of whom have been abused and neglected by those who should be the ones protecting them.
Cass County CASA is again hosting cookouts as one of the primary fund-raising events this year. The third annual CASA Cookouts will take place this weekend at locations at Birch Lake on Aug. 17, at Magician Lake on Aug. 18 and at Diamond Lake on Aug. 19.
Grill masters will be plying their craft and, new this year, live music will be provided by Gene Halton.
Attendees will have an opportunity to talk to CASA volunteers and board members about the Cass County CASA program and what their donations can do to help.
Cass County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) was started by the Honorable Susan Dobrich of the Cass Family Court in 1995. The judge realized that children who had been removed from their homes needed a supportive adult in their lives and an advocate in court. Many children have come to the attention of the Department of Human Services and the court through concerned teachers, school personnel and law enforcement.
There are over 150 children in Cass County who are in foster care due to abuse and neglect in their own homes. CASA volunteers spend time visiting with the child or the children in a family, investigating compliance of parents and service providers to determine whether the orders of the Family Court are being followed, and report to the court on a regular basis. A CASA volunteer is the voice of a child in court.
It is the goal of CASA volunteers to assist the court in finding a permanent, safe and secure family for their CASA child whether that is the return of the child to their original family or adoption.
Our volunteers are an amazing force for good, and we need more of them. Our vision is that every child who needs a volunteer will have one. With your help, CASA can reach that goal here in Cass County.
If you are interested in attending one of these cookouts and have not received an invitation, please contact Lisa Schmidt at (269) 445-4431. You will have an opportunity to hear about this worthy organization and have some fun at the same time. If you are unable to attend, your donation will still be appreciated.
Getting your kids on a regular routine a few weeks before school starts is a great idea for preparing children for the upcoming school year. This can help children be ready, well rested and will lessen some of the anxiety children may have on the first day of school.
Summer months are fun, but we all know children's schedules are thrown off, with later bed times and lazy mornings of sleeping in. It's a good idea to have your child start their new bedtime routine early to get them use to falling asleep and waking up at the same time. Children who try to go to bed at a normal time the night before school often have a hard time falling asleep, which can make them very tired on their first day.
Be sure your child has all of the school supplies needed. Different grades have different requirements, so it's important to check with you child's school to see what is needed. Often times, teachers will send notes to parents letting them know what their child should bring to class.
It's very important that your child has a good breakfast before heading off to school. A piece of toast or something small usually will not last them until lunch period. Be sure they are well fed before heading off to class. Many schools offer a breakfast program as well.
Give your child a few weeks to adjust to their new schedule. They may be more tired after school or may even want to go to sleep earlier at night.
These steps can ensure that your child will be ready for their first day of school.