Friday, Feb. 11, 2011 | 9:10 a.m.
Nearly 80 more foster children in the Las Vegas Valley will have someone to speak up for them after a ceremony today.
Twenty-five volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates will be sworn in at noon today during a ceremony at the Family Court, Courtroom 21, 601 N. Pecos Road.
The new CASA volunteers will be part of the Clark County Courts' program that recruits, screens, trains and supports an average of 245 volunteers to represent the best interests of about 700 foster children each year, according to Mary Ann Price, court information officer.
The CASA volunteers represent the children in school, child and family team meetings and in court.
The local program was set up in 1980 under the leadership of Judge John Mendoza. In 2008, the Eighth Judicial District Court's Juvenile Dependency Division, led by Judge Cynthia Dianne Steel, was picked as a "model court" by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
Steel, Judge Frank Sullivan and Hearing Masters Brigid Duffy, Jane Femiano and Thomas Leeds continue to support the CASA mission.
"We truly appreciate these volunteers stepping up to help ensure the best interests of our foster children," Steel said in prepared remarks. "Their advocacy is so important to the lives of these young people, who may not otherwise have a voice."
Volunteers make a two-year commitment and a willingness to spend time with the children. Monthly orientations are held to provide more information on the program. The next orientation program is at 6 p.m. Feb. 16 at 601-D Pecos Road, behind the courthouse n Zenoff Hall. For more information, call 702-455-4306, visit www.casalasvegas.org or visit Facebook at casalasvegas.
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