What could be more vital than contributing to the well being of our children? CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, is an organization, started in 1977 by a Seattle judge, that is taking an important step to help break the cycle of family abuse.
Judge David Soukup, seeing the negative effect on children removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect, came up with a plan to train community volunteers who could support them through the complex court system. It wasn’t long before judges across the country began using child advocates. The US Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA programs with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act in 1990.
CASA of Santa Cruz County
Approximately 1200 children have been served since CASA of Santa Cruz was started in 1992. Each one of these children had been abused, neglected or abandoned and placed into the juvenile dependency court system. The result for the children is an increased sense of vulnerability and helplessness that is hard to overcome on his or her own. This is where CASA volunteers have the privilege of making a difference by developing a one-on-one relationship with the child.
CASA recruits, screens, trains and supervises volunteers to act on behalf of these children. After the training, they are appointed by judges to act as officers of the court. Judges rely on the insight these advocates are able to present in court regarding the welfare of their child.
A New Home for CASA Advocates and Kids
The CASA headquarters has been operating out of offices in a local hospital, not the most home-like place for advocates to bring kids to the play room set up for them. In early May of this year, a miracle occurred when a five bedroom Colonial home the group had been eyeing became available to them. Nancy Sherrod, executive director of CASA calls it “a vision of perfection, a spacious place that will provide a warm environment for our children. They have come from chaotic homes and haven’t experienced the simple joys we take for granted, like baking cookies or planting flowers.”
A campaign for the remainder of the needed funds is now underway, which will be used to equip the home and on-site offices. With the extra space, another case supervisor will be hired to oversee additional volunteer advocate trainings.
To learn more about the CASA for CASA Campaign
Other Advocate Services
CASA volunteers also work directly with attorneys and social workers, as well as school and health officials. They review records, research information, and talk to all who are involved with the child, including parents and foster parents.
Independent Living Advocacy and Gang Prevention Programs
CASA has begun an ILA program in an attempt to change the shocking statistics on youth who emancipate from the foster care system. Joanne Sanchez, Outreach and Public Relations manager, says that in California, more than 50% of these youth are homeless or incarcerated within two years of their emancipation. Less than 50% graduate from high school and fewer than 10% of the high school graduates enroll in college. Of these, less than 2% graduate.
Plans are also underway for a gang prevention program. At-risk kids are some of the most susceptible, believing that joining a gang is the way to have the family they never were able to experience.
How to Help
Orientation meetings are held for community members wishing to learn about what it takes to become an advocate. Trainings are scheduled throughout the year and there is ongoing staff support for those who take this important step.
For others who may not have the time to serve in this capacity, there are many other ways to help.
Related articles: CASA Volunteers Changing Lives of Kids in Foster Care
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