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Catalyst Radio: CASA advocates for children in child welfare system

Catalyst Radio
Catalyst Radio
2/17/14 05:45pm
metro news

in collaboration with Linda Gellasch and WYCE Radio 88.1 FM

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are volunteers who act as the voice of the children in child abuse and neglect cases. Last year CASA of Kent County advocated for more than 300 children.

About Catalyst Radio

Catalyst Radio is the weekly public affairs radio program of Community Media Center, with producer and host Linda Gellasch. The program is a feature of WYCE and The Rapidian and includes interviews with organizations and people working on social change and community support, examines media and free speech issues, and takes a look at the behind-the-scenes of Rapidian reporting. You can catch it on air at noon every Friday on WYCE 88.1 FM or streaming on the Grand Rapids Community Media Center Website.

Past Catalyst Radio episodes are archived on The Rapidian.

CASA volunteers represent the children in court.

CASA volunteers represent the children in court. /CASA

Don't have time to listen now? Download the mp3 and listen at your leisure.

 

INTERVIEW

More than 1,000 children in Kent County are wards of the family court, having been victims of abuse or neglect.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (or CASA) of Kent County is a nonprofit whose primary focus is to serve children in child protective proceedings by appointing screened, trained community volunteers to advocate in the best interest of children who are temporary or permanent wards of the court.

CASA volunteers present information to the court, reduce the time a child spends in out-of-home care, and provide continuity for the child by having at least one person who is involved with the case from the beginning until the end.

Patty Sabin, executive director of CASA of Kent County, is in the Catalyst Radio Studio today to talk about this local program that served more than 300 children last year with a team of nearly 90 volunteers.

Sabin also talks about fundraising efforts, including the upcoming May 15 event featured a presentation by a former CASA case child that was a part of the child welfare system, and a family court judge speaking to the effect of CASA volunteers.

 

MUSIC

Music in this episode of Catalyst Radio comes from Michigan musician darlen Ya. The new disc is Curves Ahead, with the song “Give A Little More.”

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