CASA of Allegany County Swears In New Volunteers

Cumberland, MD – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Allegany County gains four new volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in foster care. Having completed 30 hours of training and approximately three hours of courtroom observation, all of the volunteers are now officially able to serve children in need.

On November 20, 2015, Judge W. Timothy Finan and Family Law Master Richard Maslow swore in the newly-trained “CASAs.” The dedicated new volunteers include Kelly Barmoy of Ellerslie, Mandi Graham of Frostburg, Shannon Davis of Cresaptown, and Suzanne D’Atri of Cumberland.

“It has been such a privilege to train this newest group of CASA volunteers,” said Misty Raines, Executive Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Allegany County. “Each of them brings a unique attribute to the table, and we have no doubt in our minds that they will utilize their time, talent, and training to advocate for Allegany County’s foster children,” she added.

“I chose to get involved and give back to my community as a CASA volunteer because I’ve always loved children and I wanted to help make a difference in their lives – no matter how big or small,” says Graham, a marketing consultant for CBIZ, a tax preparation company located in Cumberland, Md.

Allegany County currently has more than 70 children in foster care, only 1 in 10 of whom have a CASA volunteer speaking up for their best interests in court. More volunteers are needed to ensure that the foster youth in Allegany County have an advocate representing their best interests in the courtroom and beyond.

“CASA volunteer are a sense of constancy and security for abused or neglected child right here in our own community,” said Graham. “These children’s lives are ever changing, but the services CASA provides lets them know that we’ll always be in their corner – their number one fans and advocates fighting for what’s best for them,” she added.

CASA of Allegany County will begin its next training in January, 2016. CASA volunteers must be at least 21 years of age or older, pass a background check, and complete 30-40 hours of pre-service training before assigned to the case of a child in need. For more information on how to become a CASA or for an application, please call 301-777-1262 or e-mail avance@casaofalleganycounty.org

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Allegany County.

CASA of Allegany County opened its doors in 2013. It is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that trains community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are in the foster care and court system. CASA volunteers monitor all aspects of their case and report to the court, making recommendations for what they feel is in the child’s best interest. CASA of Allegany County is one of fifteen CASA programs in the state and more than 900 nationally. For more information, visit casaofalleganycounty.org; elsewhere in the state visit, www.marylandcasa.org

Photo caption: (From L to R) Misty Raines, CASA Executive Director, Suzanne D’Atri, Kelly Barmoy, Mandi Graham, and Shannon Davis. Back row: Judge Finan and Magistrate Maslow.

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