04/28/2026
Becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate is a series of journeys. Today marks the end of a thorough, case study based pre-service advocate training curriculum, designed specifically for the Virginia CASA Network, to prepare volunteer advocates for their role in family courts. These eleven volunteers, also students of Appalachian School of Law, received their oath from the Honorable Laura Faye O'Quinn in Buchanan County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court. They will soon be assigned to cases in Buchanan and Russell Counties providing a voice for children in need of a safe, stable and loving home. Their training readies them to monitor the orders of the court, recommend services for children and families and provide progress reports to the judge on the safest placement to meet the child's best interests. They will continue to advocate for the child until permanency is achieved.
Congratulations! Welcome to team Lane Clark, Naidaly Gonzalez Miranda, Brittany Rowe, Kaiyana Simmons, Sarah Peery, Kobe Arhinful, Allie Minor, John Phipps, Kota Graziano, Kathleen Powalie and Khalil Craddock!
