Officials for a Central Texas agency that advocates for children who have been removed from their home because of abuse or neglect said they need double the number of volunteers in order to meet the needs of young victims due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, it became challenging for the court system, but also for volunteers of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Central Texas to be able to meet with children and their caregivers. She said although nine new volunteers were sworn in on Tuesday, the agency still needs more. One of the other challenges that weve had, too, is just recruiting more volunteers, Hudson said. Someone to come in and tell the judge whats in the best interest of the child, the judge comes to their local CASA program, Hudson said.