On March 13, the Athens Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Program welcomed Alyssa Nicol as Athens County’s newest Court Appointed Special Advocate.
Judge Robert W. Stewart, Athens County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, swears in Alyssa Nicol as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Photo courtesy of: Athens CASA/GAL Program
Nicol was sworn in by Judge Robert W. Stewart during a short ceremony at Athens County Juvenile Court. During the ceremony, Nicol took an oath and signed an agreement, pledging to fulfill her duties and responsibilities as a CASA/GAL while upholding the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Ohio. These duties will be performed without compensation, as all Court Appointed Special Advocates are volunteers.
Nicol is a junior at Ohio University majoring in Psychology from Mentor, Ohio. She is a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority.
“I wanted to get involved because I want to give more children the chance for a happy childhood,” Nicol says.
Nicol initially became interested in volunteering for Athens CASA after attending the Fall Psychology Field Fair. She, like all CASA volunteers, completed a rigorous application and screening process. All CASA volunteers are required to complete a comprehensive 32-hour training program. Athens CASA provides all necessary training and no special background or prerequisite education is required. The training includes independent study, classroom time, court observation and a four-hour learning lab to practice skills.
As a CASA/GAL, Nicol will join 32 other Athens County CASAs, to serve as an objective third party in juvenile court proceedings involving children who have been the victims of child maltreatment. She, like other CASA volunteers, will build a relationship with the child, while investigating and assessing the case on an ongoing basis. Nicol, as the child’s CASA volunteer, will report findings back to the court and make recommendations regarding the child’s best interests. Nicol will also be responsible for reporting the child’s wishes to the court, effectively becoming the child’s voice in the courtroom. Most volunteers donate about eight to 10 hours per month on casework, research and learning.
Research from the National CASA Association shows that children represented by CASA volunteers spend on average 7.5 months less time in foster care, do better in school and are less likely to re-enter the system. The dedication and commitment from the CASA volunteer makes a real difference in the lives of children.
The Athens CASA/GAL Program serves about 125 children every year. Many of them are living in foster care or with relatives because their own homes were no longer safe. CASA volunteers partner with the family and with child protective services to strive toward long-term safety and permanency for each child. There are dozens of children still waiting for their own CASA volunteer. Applications for the Spring Training Class are currently being accepted.
Individuals interested in applying should contact the CASA office at 740-592-3255 or check out www.athenscasa.org.
This article was provided by the Athens CASA/GAL Program.
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