April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and CASA of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties is using the occasion to remind the community of the importance of its services and ask community members to consider volunteering to help prevent child abuse and neglect in the region.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, who volunteer to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the foster care system. CASA volunteers visit the children in their homes, attend court hearings, and help ensure their needs are being met.
The local agency belongs to a network of nearly 750 community-based programs that recruit, train, and support citizen volunteers and are committed to providing services to all children and families in need.
The program staff is led by a program director, who supervises and supports CASA volunteers. Volunteer managers work with the advocates to provide oversight and guidance as they navigate the child welfare and court systems. Volunteer managers review court reports, accompany CASAs to court, and help CASAs with case planning.
CASA also recently announced the addition of two new board members: Noah Melamed and Reggie Easterling.
Noah Melamed, a seasoned professional in the auto sales industry, is the current Chairperson of the Board at the Mid-Atlantic Independent Auto Dealers Association. Melamed, who holds a BA from Washington College and an MA from the University of East Anglia, UK, was inspired to join CASA after witnessing the significant impact a volunteer had on a child in need. Residing in Lancaster with his family, Melamed is also an enthusiastic athlete, having participated in numerous races and sports events.
Reggie Easterling brings over 12 years of law enforcement experience to the board, currently serving as the Eastern Section Supervisor in the Office of Community Engagement for the Pennsylvania State Police. Easterling, a Millersville University graduate, also engages in real estate and youth sports coaching. A resident of West Lampeter Township, Easterling is motivated by his personal experiences to support at-risk children in the community.
Learn more about becoming a CASA at upcoming information sessions at 12 p.m. Friday, April 26, and 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 22. To find out more about the program, visit CASA online or call the office at 717-208-3280.
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