MADISON COUNTY, Neb. -- The Madison County Commissioners received an update from CASA of Northeast Nebraska.

CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates are volunteers assigned to a child by a court. The volunteer is charged with learning about their child and helps a court determine where the child should be placed. Executive Director Kathryn Carlson met with board commissioners to let them know how their organization had operated this year, as well as their future goals.

"In 2022 we had 11 CASAs assigned to children with...abuse and neglect cases," Carlson said. "Of those 11 CASAs, they served 37 children."

On the financial side of things, the CASA program spent $77,403 for a variety of uses including advertising, contract services, operating costs, and more. Carlson also said CASA was requesting an additional $8,000 in funding to hire an outreach position.

However, above all else Carlson stressed the need for volunteers. Carlson explained that with more assistance, the CASA program can continue to help the children of Madison County.

"Our focus is the children," Carlson said. "It (37 children) is a very small number...there are multiple children that we can help. The unfortunate part is getting people involved. My goal is five, but I would love to see a whole lot of volunteers involved."

Madison County took no action Tuesday in relation to CASA.