The power of a caring adult is extraordinary.

And the Fourth Judicial District Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) desperately needs more caring adults.

“We do have a greater need for volunteers,” said Riley Miller, volunteer coordinator for the fourth judicial district of CASA.

Miller spoke at a recent meeting of the Kingfisher Lions Club about the non-profit program, the role it serves for children and the need it has for volunteers.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers are court-appointed advocates for abused and neglected children in juvenile court.

The fourth judicial district serves Kingfisher, Blaine, Garfield, Grant, Major and Woodward counties.

It is headquartered in Enid.

Once appointed, a CASA volunteer works with a variety of people from the child to the family to possibly a foster family and all involved professionals.

The end goal is to find a safe permanent home for the child or children.

Miller said that can either be adoption, guardianship or reunification with the family.

Reaching that goal depends on a lot of factors, but primarily on one.

“We advocate for the children,” Miller told Lions. “That’s our goal, first and foremost and we want what is best for them.”

And that’s not always the case.

There are some 690,000 children in foster care across the United States. It’s a demand far too great for foster care and child welfare systems.

Sadly, children can pay the steepest price.

“For some, if there is no CASA, the children have to go through the court system as-is,” she said.

According to Miller, there are studies that have shown children who have experienced abuse or neglect are far more likely to find a safe, permanent home with a CASA volunteer by their side.

There are currently 45 children in need of a CASA in Kingfisher County, Miller said. That’s up from 21.

“We’re not really sure why the number has gone up,” Miller said. “But we’re always in need of more volunteers.”

There are currently 6 CASA volunteers in the county.

Volunteers must be 21 years old and will go through a background check and screening interview.

Among the other requirements is successfully completing 30 hours of training and then about 12 hours of training annually after that.

Once approved, volunteers will spend an average of eight to 15 hours per month on their case.

Miller said volunteers will see their appointed child at least once every 30 days.

While working to find the best possible solution for the child, the meetings serve other purposes.

“You sit with the child and see how they’re doing on all levels,” Miller said. “We are a support system for that child.”

And Miller is part of the support system for the CASAs.

“We will hold your hand during all of it,” she said. “It is emotionally taxing, but it is rewarding knowing that you’re taking care of a child and family.”

Fourth Judicial District CASA also is involved in the wooden caricatures that adorn courthouse lawns each April during Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Kingfisher County commissioners at last week’s meeting approved the display again for this April.

Each wooden caricature represents a victim of child abuse or child neglect in Kingfisher County within the past year.

Those interested in becoming a CASA volunteer can visit fourthjdcasa.org for more information, email 4jdcasa@ thecarecampus. com or call 580-242-1153.