Giving a Voice to Abused and Neglected Children in Saline County Illinois
SIGN UP TODAY TO BE A VOLUNTEER
Next training begins August/September
Call 618 253 3355 for more information or check out the dates and times at
https://www.facebook.com/events/140383690057468/
Training sponsored in part by Ameren Illinois and the Poshard Foundation
UPCOMING EVENTS
We are planning something exciting for the Fall, keep checking back.
NEWS
Advocate Meeting
Children of Substance Abuse Parents and CASA
Signs of Possible Child abuse and Neglect
PROGRAM PARTNERS
Facebook Posts
Featured Advocate: Michael Butler
My wife, Patty, and I have spent most of our adult lives dedicated to working with children. When my kids, Jared and Dylan, were young I enjoyed coaching them in baseball and soccer. During the same period of time, I served on the Saline Youth Soccer Board and spent several years as an assistant soccer coach for the Harrisburg High School boys soccer team. Professionally, I have spent the last 20 years as a teacher and principal. Several years ago, I served on the Saline County CASA Board and had the opportunity to observe the amazing work of the advocates and vowed to someday be one myself. With retirement planned for the end of this year, I signed up for the advocate training sessions in February and am finding my first case working with two young siblings very rewarding. It is very gratifying being a voice for children and trying to ensure they have a home that is safe and full of love. Saline County CASA has a backlog of children without an advocate and is currently looking for people with a dedication to helping serve our local kids that need someone to be a voice for them and be a positive influence in their life. A training class will be starting soon, sign up today!!
Featured Advocate: Lindsey Stalcup
Lindsey Stalcup, wife, mother, and District Sales Manager for AgriGold seed corn- serving Saline, Gallatin, Hamilton, White, Pope, and Hardin Counties. I enjoy working, spending time with family and friends, kayaking, and spoiling my two dogs. I married my husband Ryan in November of 2018 and gained a beautiful blonde haired blue eyed son. Before these two, I spent most of my life concentrating on my career. I am finally to a point where I don’t have to work 16 hour days. Becoming a district salesman afforded me the opportunity to slow down. But I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with this new found free time. My husband spent years fighting for full custody of his son and fighting for this country as an infantryman. Once we started dating, I began helping him with his custody battle. I took it as my job to help my husband make sure our son was kept out of that fight. We gained full custody of him in 2017. I decided to use what I learned in our custody battles to advocate for one of our friends in a similar situation as us, but wanted to do more for the children in our community. That’s when I learned of CASA. My role with CASA is to make sure that the children’s best interests are always at the forefront. These children have often times been abused and/or neglected. So many of them have experienced things hard for us to imagine. I enjoy being a positive role model and showing them the world isn’t all bad. There is hope out there, and I will work hard to make sure they get to experience the good too. I want to make sure they know their value is more than the sum of their negative experiences. I appreciate the work I’ve been able to do with CASA of Saline County so much. It is a very humbling experience. I was worried at first, I feared we would lose more battles than we won. But that hasn’t been the case, even on the worst days we are still helping childrens voices be heard and that’s a win. Please considered becoming an advocate. There is a severe need. Training class begins August 19, 2019 5:30pm in the lower level of First Mid Illinois Bank, use the side entrance East of the ATM proceed downstairs.
New Volunteer Advocate Training beginning August 19, 2019 at 5:30pm in the lower level of First Mid Illinois Bank.
CASA of Saline County, Inc. updated their business hours.
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About CASA
Saline County CASA trains community members to advocate for abused and neglected children who are in the court system because of abuse and/or neglect. Saline County CASA currently has 21 advocates serving 84 children. There are 25 on the waiting list for a CASA. The advocates speak up for these children with the court system, social service agencies, and others involved in the child’s life.
Saline County CASA has a Board of Directors consisting of 8 community members who volunteer their time to the program. These 8 members make the by-laws and take care of fundraising efforts to support the program. The Saline County CASA Board of Directors meet once a month and call special meetings when necessary.
To reach our goal and insure that every child receives a safe home, CASA would like to have an advocate for every abused and neglected child who enters the Saline County Juvenile Court System. New advocates are needed! To become an advocate or make a donation, contact our office at 618 253-3355 or contact any member of the board.
What is a CASA Advocate?
A CASA Advocate is a community member who gives of their time to ensure that abused and neglected children receive a safe, nurturing, permanent home as quickly as possible. They do this by gathering facts, discerning options, and preparing reports for the court. They also assist the court and social agencies in eliminating delays, advancing the child’s case in a timely fashion, and monitoring the case until a final outcome is achieved.
To become an advocate, one must pass a preliminary screening process, complete a 30 hour training program, and observe 6 hours of court procedures. We need your help! Call today 618-253-3355.