Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties celebrated the swearing-in of nine new advocates on May 31. Six of the new advocates will work in Lancaster County, serving approximately 12 children between them. These Lancaster County CASA volunteers are Elaine Cook-Madric, Newark, Del.; Ruby Dhillon, Lititz; Pam Grosh, Elizabethtown; Laura Heemer, Mount Joy; Jessica Miller, Holtwood; and Rachel Schneider, Willow Street.

Court-appointed special advocates are citizen volunteers who are trained to advocate for a child's best interest during the child's time in the foster care system. Once appointed, advocates seek to be compassionate and consistent adults in the child's life. The volunteers submit reports for every hearing and are available to provide additional testimony. While focused on the best interest of the child, advocates work to get to know everyone involved in the child's life, including biological family members, resource family members, school personnel, child welfare professionals, and mental health professionals

The new volunteers constitute the 39th class of advocates sworn in, in Lancaster County. These six new volunteers will join the 119 currently advocating for 190 children. CASA hopes to eventually be able to provide a volunteer to every child in need.

Two information sessions are planned for people who want to learn more about CASA and the activities of its volunteers. The sessions will take place on Friday, June 17, at noon and Wednesday, June 29, at 5:30 p.m. at the CASA office, 120 N. Shippen St., Lancaster. To learn more and register, visit http://www.casalancaster.org/volunteer.