Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Lafourche Parish, which currently serves 61 local children cared for by the state of Louisiana, is raising awareness about their need for volunteers by selling tickets to win a children’s playhouse to be raffled off later this year.

“The money from the raffle will help to continue spreading the word for the critical need for community volunteers to help in advocating for the children in foster care who have been abused and/or neglected,” Brittany Brunet, family and consumer sciences senior and Nicholls CASA intern, said.

According to CASA of Lafourche, “The Mission is to advocate for the abused and neglected children in our parish by training and supporting community volunteers to be their voices in court.  To a child, having a CASA volunteer means having, by your side, a trained and committed adult who has been appointed by a judge to watch over you and advocate for your best interests.”

CASA volunteers represent the child throughout the legal process, help determine a permanent plan for the child, interview parties involved, and monitor the case throughout the process.  

“The qualifications to become a volunteer are being 21 years of age, being able to complete a written application, personal interview, reference check, various criminal background checks, a child abuse and neglect records screening, and 30 hours of training,” Brunet said.

CASA of Lafourche offers three training sessions per year in the spring, summer, and fall. 

“The training sessions are broken down to twice a week for five weeks. The next training session is in February,” Brunet said.  After the volunteer has completed training, the new volunteer is sworn in as a CASA volunteer and is ready for a case.

Although a volunteer is with CASA of Lafourche, they must travel to where the child is placed in foster care. 

“All volunteers must meet with the child in their case once a month in the home where the child is placed, which can be anywhere in Louisiana,” Brunet said.  “The volunteer will also have to attend court in Lafourche Parish and meetings at the Lafourche Parish DCFA office every six months for their case.” 

CASA volunteers must maintain certain skills and abilities, including keeping case information confidential, communicating effectively, respecting people from all backgrounds and settings, being able to travel, maintaining objectivity, gathering information accurately, understanding child development and family dynamics, and conducting oneself in a professional manner, among others.

“Volunteers come from different backgrounds, careers, cultures and experiences,” Brunet said. “CASA volunteers do not need a degree; they work in tandem with a staff advocate supervisor who supports and coaches volunteers through court and other aspects of their advocate role.” 

Tickets for the raffle can be purchased by calling the office or at the Thibodaux Wal-Mart on Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. On Nov. 3 and 4, they can be purchased at the Raceland Wal-Mart from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., and on Nov. 24 at the Cut Off Wal-Mart from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

The drawing for the playhouse will be held on Dec. 1 during the Thibodaux Service League’s Santa Land in the Cotillion Ballroom at Nicholls. 

“I am extremely honored and humbled to be part of a program that advocated for the most vulnerable demographic in our society,” Brunet said. “If I could make an impact and change the life of just one child, then everything I do is worth it.”