RESOLUTION NO. RS2014-1212

A resolution recognizing Court Appointed Special Advocates, on the occasion of their thirtieth anniversary.

WHEREAS, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), was chartered on September 26, 1984, and has been steadfastly serving the city since that time; and

WHEREAS, CASA Nashville advocates speak for children in courts to ensure they find safe, permanent homes, and children who receive a CASA are more likely to end up in a home with these stable attributes; and

WHEREAS, CASA provides a crucial resource of trained advocates who speak exclusively for the children. It is the CASA volunteer’s duty to acquire an in-depth knowledge of each assigned case, express the child’s best interest to the court and act as watchdog for the child during the life of the case. Advocates make certain these children are not forgotten and lost in the system, and their recommendations help judges make more informed decisions for children in need of a voice during an uncertain and often frightening time; and

WHEREAS, in the past year, there were 2,147 children who came before Juvenile Court due to allegations of abuse and neglect, and CASA was able to provide 478 of them with a voice of their own through our volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes this occasion to honor the work that CASA volunteers have worked tirelessly to provide for thousands of our abused and neglected children of Davidson County over the past 30 years.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing Court Appointed Special Advocates, on the occasion of their thirtieth anniversary.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to Jane Andrews, Executive Director of CASA.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Peter Westerholm

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	September 9, 2014
Adopted:	September 9, 2014
Approved:	September 10, 2014
By: