Heart of Missouri CASA speaks up for children in Boone and Callaway Counties who have been abused or neglected by empowering our community to volunteer as advocates for them in the court system. When the state steps in to protect a child’s safety, a judge appoints a trained volunteer advocate to make independent and informed recommendations in the child’s best interest. Volunteer advocates come from every walk of life, yet share a commitment to improving children’s lives, a willingness to learn, and an open mind towards life experiences different from their own. After completing an interview, a background check, and a 30-hour intensive training program, volunteers are sworn into their roles by a judge and assigned to a single child or a sibling group. Created in 2005, Heart of Missouri CASA now supports over 150 volunteers who advocate for over 350 children a year. Join this zoom session with Heart of Missouri CASA staff to learn all about becoming a CASA volunteer! Or you can apply to be a CASA today at https://www.homcasa.org/