James Washington, program manager CASA A child's home should be a place of security and well- being. Unfortunately, there are homes in Richland County where there is no safety. Children are abused and in danger. If parents are the aggressors, who speaks for the children?

A national organization, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) trains volunteers to advocate for neglected children. Frank Munson is one of those volunteers. He was appointed by Family Court as a Guardian ad Litem. After retirement as a national sales manager, he wanted to channel his energy into something he thought mattered. Munson said being a volunteer was fulfilling to his life. It was also a way of using his professional experiences.

There are 330 Guardian at Litem volunteers in Richland County CASA. Of these volunteers, 70 percent are females and 30 percent are males; 43 percent are people of color. Children represented in Family Court are equal in gender but 90 percent are children of color. Munson has been a volunteer for over two years; he stated that there is a need for African- American Males because often a child will respond easier to someone of his own culture.

Frank Munson, Guardian ad Litem Paige Greene, executive director of Richland County CASA, said this organization advocates for any child referred by the Family Court in Richland County. CASA is committed to understanding and honoring the diversity of the families from which they come. While racial and ethnic differences may be most evi- dent, they also recognize diversity in socioeconomic status, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, physical and mental ability, and viewpoints.

This past week, CASA held a retreat in Harbison State Park. Lela Allen-Haines, volunteer manager, conducted a one- day training for her staff on diversity. Attending this training was James Washington, program manager. Washington worked many years for DSS. In his present position at CASA, he recruits volunteers; he also stated the need for African- American Males.

Richland County CASA received the 2007 National CASA Diversity Association Award. RCCASA was recognized for its efforts in diversifying all levels of the organization so it is representative of the abused and neglected children in the county. Their goal for the future is to ensure all children have the best volunteer match. National CASA recognized Richland CASA as one of the top in the county in 2008.

Guardians ad Litem are professionals who are paid staff or volunteers and are appointed by Juvenile or Family Court to represent a maltreated child's best interests in court proceedings. THe following is some of the important work Guardians ad Litem perform:

1. Gathering information for court about what has happened to the child and current circumstances and needs of the child.

2. Making recommendation to the court about what the child needs to be safe, what services and treatment plans should be ordered for the child and family; what permanent resolution is in the best interest for the child; and advocating for speedy decision.

CASA recruits, screens, trains, supervises, and provide legal representation for Guardians ad Litem appointed in cases of abuse and neglect.

The next training for Richland County CASA is July 15, 16, 17, and July 22, 23, 24. Training will be a total of 18 hours, held at Richland County Judicial Center, 1701 Main Street.

Contact James Washington, 803 576-1590, or visit www.rc.casa.org.