Court Appointed Special Advocates, (CASA) in The Heart Of Texas, administered the oath to 4 new volunteers in the Brown County Courtroom Monday. Marcus Robertson, CASA trainer and volunteer recruiter, said Judge Rob Hoffman administered the oaths while 35th State District Judge Stephen Ellis observed. Robertson said those who were sworn in include Mike Isbell of Bangs, Norman Reich of Early, Karen Reed of Lake Brownwood, and Brenda Forbess of Brownwood.
The new Advocates completed the thirty hour school June 7th, and received their commissions Monday, followed by a luncheon with District judge Steve Ellis, Judge Rob Hoffman, and Child Protective Services (CPS) staff hosted by CASA at the Family Services Center in Brownwood.
CASA Executive Director Michelle Wells said, “CASA volunteers are advocates who work with Child Protective Services (CPS), 35th District Court, and 220th District Court on parental custody cases. Our primary focus is to make recommendations to the courts as to what is in the best interest of the child or children in custodial cases”. CASA in the Heart of Texas serves child custody cases in Brown and Mills counties for the 35th Judicial District, and the 220th District Court in Comanche County. District Judge Steve Ellis started the local CASA program in 2000.