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The epidemic of child abuse and neglect is growing in Boone County. There are thousands of child abuse and neglect cases reported annually. Sadly, Boone County continues to lead the state in the number of cases rentered into foster care and length of time in out of home placement. Children's Division workers and attorneys struggle to meet statutory requirements, while keeping abreast of the staggering number of cases.
That's where Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA as they are more commonly known, comes in. A CASA volunteer is a trained advocate who promotes and pursues the best interest of abused or neglected children in court. The role of the CASA volunteer in a child abuse or neglect case is to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case, make an independent evaluation with recommendations regarding actions in the child's best interest, both short and long term, and to monitor the case until a permanent placement is achieved.
1005 Cherry Street, Suite 218 . Columbia, MO 65201. phone(573)442-4427 . fax (573)442.4124 | 
Monday, May 12, 2008
