COEUR d'ALENE - The Court Appointed Special Advocates program in North Idaho has a new director.

Sandra Gunn is completing her first month at the helm of the First Judicial CASA program, based in Coeur d'Alene. The organization provides volunteer court advocacy for children in the state's five northern counties who have been removed from their homes as a result of abandonment, neglect or abuse. The Coeur d'Alene resident said she worked previously as a licensed child, marriage and family therapist. She is excited about her new role because it offers her a chance to use the skills and experience she has amassed through the years.

"I love finding solutions and resources, and I always knew I wanted to one day end up working for a nonprofit," Gunn said. In addition to her counseling background, Gunn owned and operated, with her husband, Brad, Coeur d'Alene Olive Oil Company. The couple started the retail business in 2002, selling small batches of their products at the Kootenai Farmers Market. They eventually moved into a Fourth Street shop, and ran the business from that location until they sold it last spring. They have three children.

"The tools Sandra brings with her are a big asset for the organization," said Laurie Thomas, president of the CASA board."Our existing staff and volunteers are doing their best to serve the needs of the children in our community who have been abused or neglected," Thomas said. "She is coming in at a time when we have an increase in the number of kids needing assistance, and resources are down. We're all straining to meet those needs."

Gunn replaces Judy Morbeck in the position. As executive director, Gunn will be responsible for staff management, fundraising, grant writing, community and public relations, fiscal oversight, and will act as liaison to the nonprofit's board of directors.

The agency's work is court-mandated, and while CASA does qualify for grants, they must raise funds to adequately cover operational expenses. Gunn's primary responsibility is supervision and coordination of the volunteer effort that is at the heart of the CASA program.

"I just want to continue to sustain the good work they are already doing," Gunn said.CASA volunteers are guardians ad litem, appointed by judges to represent the interests of children who have entered the court system as victims, through no fault of their own.

While the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare or law enforcement agencies are investigating what's going on with the parents, CASA volunteers complete their own investigations on behalf of the child. They recommend whether a child should be returned to the home with protective services or remain with the state while the parents work through whatever problems led to the custody situation. "Advocacy has to be from the minute of inception, not just in the courts," Gunn said. "These are 4-year-olds and 2-year-olds who are taken from their homes at 3 a.m. in their pajamas."

In most cases, the children must leave everything behind."We had a girl who needed a clarinet yesterday. One boy was removed from a home and he had no school supplies or books," Gunn said. "You can't advocate properly for a child that has no shoes."

Gunn said that responsibility shouldn't fall to the CASA volunteers, but should come from the community. She hopes to create a greater network of community resources to help meet those needs.