Baltimore County CASA Swears-In New Volunteers to Advocate for Children in Need

TOWSON — Judge Sherrie R. Bailey recently swore in six new volunteers as Court-Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children. The group gathered in the Baltimore County Circuit Court House on July 31 to take an oath promising to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children.Those sworn-in include Santiago Solis, Cockeysville; Jamie Shepard, Owings Mills; Vanessa Galloway, Randallstown; Scott Whittier, Highland; Abbey Creaney, Baldwin; and Marja Moreno Ruiz, Towson.The newly appointed CASA volunteers join 160 other dedicated community members who have been trained and are advocating for foster children in Baltimore County. 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.“CASA of Baltimore County is pleased to congratulate these new volunteers and welcome them to our program,” said Jennifer Stine, executive director. “Our volunteers come from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds, and they all bring something special to their newfound positions. This truly was a special group of individuals, and we know they will have a true impact on the lives of the children they serve.”CASA volunteers are asked to meet with the assigned 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 and recommendations to the judge.Jamie Shepard discovered what CASA was when he became a foster parent. “I think that every child in care needs an independent and objective person to stand up for what’s best for the child,” Sheppard said. “I see first-hand how much we need to advocate for our foster child in order to do what’s in the child’s best interest.”So many children are waiting for a CASA volunteer, and many more advocates are still needed. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old, clear an extensive background screening and complete 33 hours of training.Anyone interested in volunteer opportunities or supporting CASA of Baltimore County in other ways are encouraged to visit www.casabaltco.org for more information, or contact Gwen Farrugia, Advocate Coordinator, at 410-828-0515 or gfarrugia@casabaltco.org. About CASA of Baltimore CountyCourt Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) provide individual advocacy for children in foster care who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. CASA is the only program in Maryland that uses trained volunteers to work one-on-one with children, ensuring that each one gets the services needed and achieves permanency in a safe, nurturing home. Today, nearly 600 children in Baltimore County are in foster care. CASA of Baltimore County currently serves about one third of those. Visit www.casabaltco.org or call 410-828-0515 for more information about CASA of Baltimore County. Or, to find a local CASA program in your county, visit www.marylandcasa.org/programs.