LAPLACE — Those who advocate on behalf of abused children in St. John the Baptist Parish have a new location to work from.

Parish President Natalie Robottom, administrative staff, ambassadors of the River Region Chamber of Commerce, Child Advocacy Services and United Way Executive Director John Olynick recently celebrated a ribbon cutting ceremony for Child Advocacy Services with CAS CEO Rob Carlisle, Advocate Supervisor Debbie Cray and other staff members at their new location, 2840 W. Airline Highway, Suite G in LaPlace.

The location provides more space and confidentiality when meeting with families and children. The office is organized with a Play Therapy Room, a Counseling Office and a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Office.

It is staffed with two full-time employees and one part-time employee. CAS officials said they look forward to hiring a third full-time staff member and partnering with AARP to get additional part-time office assistance to further enhance their operations.

“St. John is the only parish to have prevention services to train adults how to prevent child abuse,” Carlisle said. “They are dedicated to St. John alone.”

CAS is a private, non-profit agency providing services through the CASA program, CAC program and other services that support their mission “to give Voice, Healing, and Security to children.

The agency offers advocacy, clinical services and prevention education for children and families in Ascension, Assumption, East and West Feliciana, Livingston, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John and Tangipahoa Parishes.

The CASA program recruits, trains and supervises volunteers who serve as voices for abused and neglected children as they navigate through the court system. CASA volunteers are community members appointed by a judge to advocate on a one-on-one basis for children in need of care.

A CASA volunteer stands beside the child with the primary goal of helping them reach a safe and permanent home.

“CAS provides a critical service to our community,” Robottom said. “I encourage our residents to learn more about CAS and CASA and sign up to become an advocate for our children.”

For more information on CAS and becoming a CASA volunteer, visit childadv.net, call 985-536-8384 or email info@childadv.net.