News Briefs for March 29

Blood Drive scheduled

From noon to 5 p.m. April 6, the Kentucky Blood Center Bloodmobile will be at 445 W. Main St. to collect blood donations. Those wanting to donate blood can call 1-800-775-2522 or visit www.kybloodcenter.org for blood drive and donor center details.

Blood donors must be 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and meet additional requirements. Sixteen-year-olds can donate with a signed parental permission slip, which can be found on the KBC website.

Upcoming training at CASA at Woodlawn

CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) at Woodlawn will host volunteer advocate training 6-8:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays from April 11 through May 5.

CASA at Woodlawn volunteers are appointed by Judge Bruce Petrie, Family Court Judge for the 50th Judicial Circuit. They speak for the best interests of children in Boyle and Mercer counties who are brought before the court for reasons of abuse, neglect or dependency.

CASA volunteers serve as friends of the court, working alongside attorneys and social workers.
By handling only one or two cases at a time, the CASA thoroughly explores the history of each assigned case.

The volunteer talks with the child, parents, family members, neighbors, school officials, doctors and others involved in the child’s background who might have facts about the case.

The volunteer reviews all court facts and documents pertaining to the case. He or she then is expected to submit formal reports to Petrie at every scheduled hearing.

The CASA continues to monitor the case to assure the judicial and child welfare systems are moving ahead to secure a safe, permanent home for the child, and that court-ordered services are provided to the child and family.

CASA at Woodlawn has increased the number of cases served from less that 5 percent in 2007 to nearly 25 percent in 2010.  However, CASA at Woodlawn is still currently only able to serve one out of four cases involving child victims of abuse, neglect or dependency in Boyle and Mercer counties.

CASA at Woodlawn began in 2005 and has grown to 48 fully trained volunteers currently serving 71 children. These volunteers assisted in closing cases and finding permanency for 18 children in 2010 and nine children so far in 2011. Closing a case means a child has been successfully reunified with family members or has been placed in a safe, secure and permanent adoptive home.

For more information about CASA or to sign up for training, call volunteer coordinator Ramona Gabbard at (859) 936-3540 or e-mail her at ramona@casaatwoodlawn.org. CASA at Woodlawn’s Web site is www.casaatwoodlawn.com.

Bate performance set for Thursday

The Bate Middle School drama class will perform “The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza” 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Danville High School’s Gravely Hall Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for students, seniors and children over age 2.

Profits from the performance will go to Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.

For more information, call Jane Dewey at (859) 936-8416 or e-mail her at jane.dewey@danville.kyschools.us.