CASA of Santa Barbara County: Need for advocates increases as COVID-19 pandemic continues

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - The pandemic is cutting down on the number of people volunteering at CASA of Santa Barbara county.

But the need to help child abuse victims is greater than ever before.

"That is the largest waiting list we’ve had in probably eight years," said executive director Kim Davis of CASA of Santa Barbara County.

CASA has a wait list of 192 child abuse cases.

90 of those cases are in the Santa Maria Area.

"We know that right now is a horrible time to ask the community to step up. But we have to ask right now because it’s the kids. They are in need of our help right now," said Davis.

CASA is offering Additional training to meet the increased need for volunteers during the pandemic.

"My hope would be that people in the community would see the importance of serving children and doing something great you know by taking on a child that’s under the court jurisdiction," said advocate supervisor Lorena Vega of CASA of Santa Barbara County.

As the pandemic continues, all 192 children on the waiting list are still waiting for a CASA volunteer to help them.

"And they can’t wait so we like to ask the community to step forward and be a CASA volunteer," said Davis.

For more information on how you can become a volunteer at CASA of Santa Barbara County, go to https://www.sbcasa.org/.