The Court Appointed Special Advocate Program in Coos County is seeking qualified volunteers to speak up for children in court.

Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASA volunteers are people from the community who care deeply about children, according to a press release. The children helped by CASA are victims of abuse and neglect. The CASA volunteer offers children trust and advocacy during complex legal proceedings. Volunteers make sure the abuse and neglect children originally suffered at home don't continue as abuse and neglect at the hands of the system.

Locally, the program is under the umbrella of Oregon Coast Community Action and is supported by the Commission on Children and Families, the Coquille Tribal Community Fund, Zonta, National CASA Association and community donations. Less than half of the children who need a CASA are served by this program and the Coos CASA program is working hard to increase the number of CASA volunteers.

For more information, those interested can contact Bridgette at 396-1074.