Rock Island Today

State Rep. Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) is encouraging constituents who want to get involved with child welfare advocacy to consider joining a program in the district he represents.

Halpin referenced the program in a recent post on social media. 

"EveryChild (formerly known as the Child Abuse Council) is looking for community volunteers to join their Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program in Rock Island County," Halpin wrote in a Feb. 2 Facebook post. 

Halpin described the CASA program and how it's beneficial for child victims. 

"CASA is a national network that recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children who have been abused and neglected, leading to shorter stays in foster care and more positive outcomes for families," he said.

Halpin provided information on how to get involved in the CASA program so those who think it might be something they'd like to do know where to start.

"If you're interested in becoming a CASA (advocate) and serving children in foster care within our community, you can learn more and apply by visiting foreverychild.org/casa or by contacting danielw@foreverychild.org," Halpin wrote in the post. 

According to the EveryChild website, the organization aims to prevent child abuse through both community and family-focused education and support. It also provides the necessary resources to help heal trauma. 

The CASA program can be found across the country and works with children in the courts. The website noted that advocates work with children to learn about their everyday life, including how they're doing in school, at a foster home, or with their parents and then file a report for the judge to consider during court proceedings. 

280 children were in foster care in Rock Island County as of the end of last year, according to Our Quad Cities.