The Central Community Foundation provided a grant to CASA for Kids. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are community volunteers who represent the best interests of abused and neglected children wards of the juvenile court. After being screened and trained, a CASA is appointed to a child or sibling group. Through his or her court order, the CASA researches the case, talks to the child and involved parties and professionals, advocates for needed services and timely decisions, and submits written recommendations to the court. 

The grant will help CASA for Kids cover the costs of new background checks for existing volunteers and staff. New regulations require enhanced OSBI background checks and fingerprinting for all volunteers. CASA for Kids, Inc. serves the children of Payne, Logan, and Kay Counties.

In the past year, 120 cases were served by nearly 100 CASA volunteers who helped provide a voice for 212 children. CASA volunteers logged more than 7,100 hours and drove more than 50,000 miles visiting kids, attending court hearings, writing court reports and meeting with case supervisors, DHS workers, counselors, and teachers.

The Central Community Foundation provides grants through the Operation Round Up program at Central Rural Electric Cooperative. Members of CREC can round up their monthly electric bills to the nearest dollar to help organizations and residents in need throughout Central’s seven-county service area.