Page 22 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2024

COAST NOTE
story by Lynn Lofton
CASA OF SOUTH MISSISSIPPI
“CASA of Hancock County coordinated with the courts
of both counties and with National CASA to expand the program to prevent the loss
or lapse of advocacy services for child victims in Harrison and Stone Counties,” says Director Cynthia Chauvin. “With an expanded mission and service area,
CASA of Hancock County grew into a new name, CASA of South Mississippi.”
Harrison County Youth Court Judge Michael Dickinson
said, “We are so excited about CASA of South Mississippi's expansion into Harrison County. As the Youth Court Judge who appoints the advocates from their program to these cases which involve the abuse and/or neglect of children, I have full confidence in their work product and in their leadership. Child welfare in Harrison County will benefit immeasurably by this expansion.”
The transfer of volunteer advocates was conducted and the organization was able to hire additional staff. Now, CASA of South Mississippi serves Hancock, Harrison and Stone Counties. “Currently, we have 92 volunteer advocates serving 201 children
in South Mississippi, but unfortunately we are currently able to serve only 51 percent of the area's foster children due to a lack of volunteers.”
Primary goals over the next 18 months are the recruitment of new volunteer advocates and retention of existing volunteers, Chauvin says. “Of course as a nonprofit, raising funds is also a necessary element of our work. We are very interested in connecting our mission to both the business community and individuals,” she adds.
Chauvin, who's worked in child welfare more than 23 years in Louisiana and Mississippi, is proud of Remi, Mississippi's only courthouse facility dog and wants to give him some recognition.
This project was supported by the Mississippi State Department of Health, Office Against Interpersonal Violence, state administering agency for the Mississippi State Victim Service Grant.The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in the publication/program/ exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the state.
For those interested in volunteering or supporting the efforts of CASA of South Mississippi, please call 228.344.0419 or visit them online at www.casasouthms.org.
Cynthia Chauvin.
The name has changed but the mission is still to advocate for South Mississippi’s abused and neglected children by supporting volunteers who promote safety, permanency, and resilience. Last fall CASA of Harrison & Stone Counties initiated the dissolution of their organization and joined with CASA of Hancock County.
Left to Right: Cynthia Hamil, Tish Ortiz, Teri Gilbert, Judge S. Trent Favre, Hancock County Youth Court Judge, Judge Michael Dickinson, Harrison County Youth Court Judge, Judge Sean Courtney, Stone County Referee, Sarah Bailey, Sharon Walker, Rhonda Foles
CASA of South Mississippi
644 Dunbar Ave., Bay St. Louis 11975 Seaway Rd., Gulfport 228.344.0419
22 | May 2024
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