The severe burning of four children in Woodbine last January and the subsequent conviction of the children’s mother on charges of causing serious bodily harm to a child once again brought to light the plight of abused children in Cooke County.

Each year, an average of 100 Cooke County children suffer abuse or neglect at such a level that it is necessary to take them from their homes and place them into protective custody of the state.

North Texas children who in state custody, also known as foster care, are taken from everything that is familiar to them and placed into a system that can be overwhelming to the child in spite of state officials and local workers who have “only the best intentions” for the children, said Vicki Robertson, director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

“I’ve found state workers to be (conscientious) and totally dedicated to the work for the children but they are truly overworked and sometimes unable to focus the attention needed to every single child because there are so many children with so many different needs on their watch,” said Robertson.

CASA of North Texas has only four staff members.

Despite their dedication, these local employees cannot meet the needs of so many children, Robertson noted.

For that, CASA needs volunteers who have a little time to get involved and who truly care about what happens in the lives of abused children

“Because they care, they are able to do amazing things to make very real differences for our most vulnerable children,” Robertson said. “CASA volunteers are people who get involved with only one case. Because they have only one case, they can take the time to get to know the child and his or her family, they talk to teachers and neighbors, counselors and foster parents, grandparents and even law enforcement, anyone who has information that will help show what is really going on in that child’s life. This knowledge allows the CASA volunteer to speak up for what is best for the child, particularly when CASA reports these findings back to the District Judge, who has the tremendous responsibility of making decisions that affect the very lives of these vulnerable little ones. Every case is different and many things weigh in on judge’s decisions, but I do know that Judges listen to what CASA volunteers have to say because it is coming from someone who is only there because they care about what happens to that child.”

The organization plans to begin new advocate training this fall, Robertson noted.

The first training session is set to begin in early November. Another is scheduled for late November or very early December — before the holiday “time crunch” comes, Robertson said.

To become a CASA volunteer, individuals should have a passion and concern for the futures’ of county’s most vulnerable children.

They should also have an average of ten to 15 hours per month to dedicate to the children, must pass background checks including CPS and criminal history checks (which must be clear), have good references and they must be over the age of 21.

Individuals must then complete 33 hours of training provided by CASA and be approved to serve as advocates before they are sworn in by the Judge as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, Robertson said.

“I run into people all of the time who say ‘someday I’m going to get involved for CASA’s kids’… I really hope that people who’ve said this (either to me or to themselves) will give us a call”, she said. “I can assure them, they won’t regret getting involved to be the difference for an abused or neglected child.” If you are interested in working for CASA’s children, please contact the CASA office at 309 S. Commerce, Gainesville, by telephone at 665-2244 or check CASA Web sites at www.casant.org or www.becomeacasa.org.

CASA of North Texas is supported by the Cooke County United Way as well as other places of worship, businesses and individuals.