CASA stands by troubled children

CASA volunteers provide a voice for children in need, working with the courts and state agencies to make sure the child finds a loving, safe home. (T-G Photo by Mary Reeves) [Order this photo]

When a child's safety comes into question, several agencies move to protect him. Police officers investigate and protect. Schools observe, counsel and protect. Social workers with the Department of Children's Services work with the Juvenile Court system to save and protect.

The problem is -- there are very many cases of abused or neglected children out there and only so many protectors to go around. When a caseworker has 20 to 30 cases to concentrate on at one time, tiny clues can be overlooked and that protection can falter.

That's where CASA comes in.

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) services offer each child his own advocate -- a volunteer trained to observe, assist and speak up for that child. CASA of The Center for Family Development serves children who have come to the attention of the juvenile court for abuse or neglect issues.

"Any time a child is abused or neglected and is reported to DCS, whether the child is removed from the home or returned to his family, all of that is in juvenile court," said Lynne Farrar, director of the local CASA, which serves both Bedford and Coffee counties. "The state appoints a CASA volunteer."

One primary difference between the volunteer and a state caseworker is that a CASA advocate can only have one or two cases at a time, allowing him or her to focus completely on those children.

"The volunteer, by order of the court, has the authority to talk to anybody and everybody about anything to do with that child," said Farrar. In fact, the court order even overrides the strict HIPAA laws governing medical information, she said. "The advocate, without the big case load, gets to know that child, what that individual child really needs. You offer some stability."

Because the CASA volunteer gets to see so much of the child's life and talk to all those who interact with him, he gets a more complete picture of the issue. The volunteer writes a report and submits it to the court.

"CASA is there strictly for the child, not for anyone else," said Kristin Conley, the CASA volunteer coordinator. "CASA wants what's best for the child and the parents work with is because they think they are what's best for the child."

Volunteers needed

But CASA runs into some of the same issues the state agencies do -- too many children and not enough protectors.

"If we don't have a CASA volunteer for them, they don't get one," said Farrar.

Currently, there are about eight CASA advocates in Bedford County and more are needed. A training session begins Nov. 17.

"We'll meet once a week for 3 1/2 hours," said Farrar. "There's 35 hours of training. There's no fee, and we love to eat, so there's always food!"

To become a CASA volunteer, you have to "have a heart for children," said Farrar. "And we ask you give at least a year's commitment -- it usually takes about that long to see a child settled in a loving, safe home, and that's CASA's main goal."

Those wanting to become CASA advocates are subjected to fingerprinting and background checks. There is an in-depth interview before you can begin to help the child in need, and every sex offender registry available will be checked.

Current and former volunteers have included everyone from stay-at-home moms to physicians, from those with GEDs to those with advanced doctorate degrees.

"We've had full time workers, part time, retired," said Conley. "We even have a rocket scientist! And they all serve their children equally well."

Safety for the child is paramount, of course, but the training course also stresses safety for the advocate.

"We don't ever send volunteers out alone the first time," said Conley. "We go with them and meet the family, usually on neutral ground, the courthouse or the judge's office."

"A lot of the training is about safety," said Farrar. "If we don't feel safe going to the home, we tell the judge and he's fine with that."

The training covers subjects that range from safety to family law.

"You learn about the system, and about family dynamics, especially when there is abuse and neglect," said Farrar.

"Did you know we had laws to protect animals before we had laws to protect children?" asked Conley.

CASA certified

CASA's governing body, the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, recently recognized the local center's work by awarding certification. This certification recognizes that CASA of The Center for Family Development is in compliance with National CASA's high standards for quality child advocacy.

There are several different areas the national association looks out before awarding certification, said Farrar, and if you don't pass all of them -- 100 percent -- you don't get certified.

According to Michael Piraino, CEO of the National CASA Association, "The National CASA's quality assurance process is very rigorous and reflects our commitment to ensure the every child we serve has the most powerful volunteer advocate working on their behalf. This certification says CASA of The Center for Family Development has demonstrated to us a strong capacity to provide excellent services to the abused and neglected children with their community."

"We are thrilled that National CASA has acknowledged this effort," said Farrar.

Anyone interested in being a CASA Volunteer may call Wanda Strayhorn, 684-4676, ext. 216, or Kristin Conley, 684-4676, ext. 224 for more information.

The National CASA Association provides leadership to nearly 900 state and local program offices that champion the best interests of abused and neglected children. Across the country, nearly 60,000 highly trained CASA volunteers serve as powerful advocates for these children, one child at a time, within the child welfare system. It began in 1977 by a Seattle juvenile court judge who wanted a clearer picture of what was happening in the lives of his young charges. That judge has since retired -- and become a CASA volunteer himself, said Farrar.

"I think, without a shadow of a doubt, every CASA volunteer feels they have made a difference in the life of ***How to help

Anyone interested in being a CASA Volunteer may call Wanda Strayhorn, 684-4676, ext. 216, or Kristin Conley, 684-4676, ext. 224 for more information.

For those who feel they don't have the time to contribute, CASA is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 organization and donations are always needed. Donors can also help provide Christmas to those children in need.