UNION – The next training session for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in the 20th Circuit will begin in mid-October, according to agency officials who are calling for potential advocates for children in state care.

CASA of Mideast Missouri Outreach Coordinator Trista Jaquin noted that the next training session will begin in mid-October. Application deadline is Oct. 1 to become a trained volunteer.

CASA advocates represent the interest of children who have been placed in foster care because of abuse or neglect. Advocates get to know the children, spend time with them and speak on their behalf during hearings in Juvenile Court.

The 20th Circuit is comprised of Gasconade, Franklin and Osage counties.

Anyone interested in becoming a trained volunteer advocate can learn more online at www.casamideastmo.org or by calling 636-583-4422.

The goal of the organization is to have a trained advocate for each child placed in state care. Unfortunately, at last report there were several hundred children within the three counties in foster care and not enough advocates to assign one to each child.