Kingfisher County Associate District Judge Lance Schneiter administered oaths Dec. 8 to two new volunteers for the county’s Court Appointed Special Advocates program.

Vicky Allen and Maleah Ashcraft join five other volunteers who are representing 17 children in the custody of the Department of Human Services and placed in foster care.

CASA volunteers are trained to be an extra set of eyes and ears in court cases involving alleged neglected or abused children.

CASA workers meet with children, parents, school officials, foster care families, DHS workers, medical and mental health professionals, teachers and anyone else who may have information concerning the children.

The volunteers then present a report to the judge, which becomes additional information he uses to make decisions that are in the best interest of the children, regarding their ongoing care and custody.

Heather Jones, CASA volunteer coordinator for Kingfisher and Blaine counties, said volunteers play an essential role in the court process.

“Each year, thousands of children in Oklahoma are removed from their homes due to evidence of abuse and neglect,” Jones said

“They are uprooted from the ones they love, often taken out of school and moved away from their friends.

“The only world they have ever known has been literally turned upside down.

“If you have a heart and a passion for children come join our team and become a CASA volunteer.”

The next round of free training begins Jan. 4 for new volunteers in Kingfisher and Blaine counties.

Anyone interested can contact the Fourth Judicial District CASA office at (580) 242-1153.