in the new counties.
children. “We still have a long way to go with recruitment in Cross, Lee, Phillips and St. Francis Counties,” said Rutledge. “Our goal is to provide a volunteer advocate for every child in the foster care system by the year 2020.”
The expansion, she explained, was out of necessity.
“With our growth, we saw the need for change. Our Advisory Board members, Staff and Administration of Mid-South Health Systems collectively decided our program name should adequately reflect the areas we serve. Going forward, our program name is going to be CASA of the Arkansas Delta,” said Rutledge.
The Mission of CASA of the Arkansas Delta will stay the same, which is to “provide abused, neglected, and dependent children a voice in the court process and advocate for their best interests through the use of trained volunteers.”
CASA of the Arkansas Delta is currently recruiting members of the community to serve as members of Advisory Committees in Cross, St. Francis, Lee and Phillips Counties. Each committee will select one member that will serve on the CASA of the Arkansas Delta Advisory Board. Current members of the CASA of the Arkansas Delta Advisory Board are: John Roberts, Nancy Hogan, Kim Felker, Debbie Holmes, Helen King, Lisa Wilson, Scottie Lackland, Cham Percer, Jerry Burns, Joanie Taylor, and Marvin Steele, who is also the Chairman of the Mid-South Health Systems Governing Board and serves as the liaison between the two boards. Ed Barnes is the current CASAVolunteer Representative serving on the board.
While the need for new volunteers continues in Crittenden County, there is an urgent need to recruit individuals
in the new counties.
All interested individuals must complete an application and interview, provide personal references and pass criminal background and child abuse registry checks. “Once the screening process is complete, they must complete 30 hours of pre-service training and three hours of courtroom observation prior to being sworn in by the Juvenile Court Judge, Honorable Ann Hudson or Honorable Ralph Wilson, presiding in their area,” Rutledge explained. “Training is provided in both a class room setting and independent on-line study which can be completed at the volunteer’s own pace.”
Anyone interested in more information on becoming a member of the Advisory Committee in Cross, Lee, Phillips or St. Francis County, please contact Cassie Rutledge, CASA of the Arkansas Delta Program Director at 870-7025921.
Anyone interested in becoming a CASAVolunteer in Crittenden County, contact Jeannetta Gilliam, Program Coordinator for Crittenden County at 870702-5921. Individuals interested in volunteering in Cross and St. Francis Counties should contact Marva Pry-Riley, Program Coordinator for Cross and St. Francis Counties at 870630-3880. Those interested in volunteering in Lee or Phillips Counties should
contact Pearl Walton, Volunteer Coordinator at 870338-8815.
Anyone seeking more information about CASA, is instructed to please contact Alex Coulter at 870-7025921, or inqire via e-mail at crutledg@mshs.org.
