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Hundreds of pinwheels will be planted by CASA volunteers at Family Court on  April 16 at noon, at 601 N. Pecos Road near the Family Court flagpole, to bring attention to April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The pinwheels are also uplifting reminders of childhoods and the bright futures all children deserve. The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program looks to raise awareness about the need for more CASA volunteers to speak up for the children in the foster care system. The pinwheels will serve as a reminder of the uplifting childhoods and bright futures that all children deserve, including the many children in our community who face abuse and neglect, and receive services under the supervision of Family Court.

The CASA program, which is part of the Family Division of the Eighth Judicial District Court,  recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteers to represent the best interests of hundreds of foster children annually. The advocates represent the children in school, child and family team meetings, and in court. Volunteering for the program involves a two-year commitment and a willingness to spend quality time with the children to advocate for them. In 1980, Judge John Mendoza led the creation of the Clark County CASA Program. The CASA mission continues to be fully supported by family court judges. For more information about the CASA program call 702-455-4306, visit www.casalasvegas.org or visit www.facebook.com/#!/CASALasVegas.

“When you give abused and neglected kids a CASA, you give them a voice. When you give them a voice, you give them hope. When you give them hope, you give them a future,” said Family Court Judge Frank Sullivan, who presides over the program. “CASA’s are the ears and the eyes for the court. They  provide a voice and offer stability for kids who are in foster care and don’t otherwise have a lot of stability in their lives.”

“Our goal is to have a CASA for every child in foster care. CASA volunteers get deep fulfilment for the very important role they play,” said Presiding Family Court Judge Rebecca Burton “I ask those who want to do something meaningful to help children in our community, to consider volunteering to become a CASA.”

To get involved please visit https://conta.cc/3dHXxX1

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