CASA welcomes court-appointed special advocates to Lebanon & Lancaster areas

On Wednesday, Oct. 30, CASA of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties celebrated the swearing in of 10 new court-appointed special advocates.

CASA staff, board members, volunteers, and community supporters gathered in the Imperial Blue Room of the Holiday Inn Lancaster as the Honorable Shawn P. McLaughlin swore in the 46th class of CASA volunteers. The evening was the culmination of 30-plus hours of training completed by each volunteer in order to assist children in Lancaster and Lebanon counties' foster care systems.

New court-appointed special advocates are Yvonne Bernard, Kathleen Clark, Fiona Eagleson, Karen Madeira, and Amanda Pudenz, all of of Lancaster, Amanda Fletcher and Kari Ann Umholtz, both of Palmyra, Sheila Hallman of Columbia, Mikayla Wagaman of Lititz, and Charity Welch of Willow Street.

A CASA volunteer is appointed by a judge to represent the best interest of a child in court. CASA volunteers advocate for children who have been abused and neglected and placed into the foster care system, a press release explains. The volunteers work to help ensure a safe and permanent home for the child as quickly as possible.

According to the release, a CASA volunteer is an extension of the "eyes and ears" of the judge. Most importantly, the CASA volunteer speaks with the child and others involved in the child's life such as biological parents, foster parents, social workers, teachers, doctors and therapists.

These new volunteers will join the 92 active volunteers who are already advocating for 163 children in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. CASA hopes eventually to be able to provide a volunteer to every child in need.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about CASA and what volunteer advocates do can attend a virtual information session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, or Monday, Dec. 9. Learn more and register for either session online or call 717- 286-1430.