Heartland CASA has announced a number of upcoming trainings for those interested in becoming court-appointed special advocates.  The “CASA” acronym comes from that title; advocates serve as the voice for children in the foster care and child welfare system.  Heartland CASA works to provide support and guidance to children in these situations.  Prospective advocates can register for one of the following five series of sessions:

• Thursdays, May 7-June 11, 5:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the CASA offices at 141 South Main Street in Decatur,
• Mondays, May 18-June 22, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Taylorville Library,
• Tuesdays, May 19-June 23, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Taylorville Library,
• Wednesdays, June 17-July 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sullivan First United Methodist Church,
• Thursdays, June 18-July 23, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sullivan First United Methodist Church.

Blaine Smith, executive director for Heartland CASA, says the training process totals 30 hours, with guidance beyond the aforementioned training sessions. 

Advocates must be aged 21 or older, pass a criminal background check, and have the desire to be a consistent presence and voice for a child in need.

Advocates who complete the training program are ceremonially sworn into the role.  Heartland CASA will swear in its first Christian County advocates Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at the Christian County Courthouse. 

Heartland CASA has upcoming events to show their appreciation for their volunteers, advocates, and all those who serve children in the foster care and child welfare system.  They are holding a foster parent appreciation event on June 6, in collaboration with DCFS. 

The organization will also hold an ice cream social on Monday, May 4 to celebrate their volunteers.  The event was due to take place Monday of this week but was postponed due to the severe weather in the area that day.  Details on the rearranged ice cream social have not been announced.

More information on Heartland CASA is available at www.maconcountycasa.org.

Blaine Smith appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.