Help a child by becoming a CASA volunteer
Marilyn Smith wanted to give back to the community. She is close to ending her career, and wanted to be sure her retirement accomplished just as much as had her working years. A couple at her church were working together as CASA volunteers, but Smith’s husband did not want to be involved in this type of work so she ventured to the CASA training on her own.
The CASA staff put her through a series of training classes, court room observations, family counseling sessions and she has just been assigned her first case.
It is a bit daunting, but she is motivated by a desire to help children and CASA affords her an excellent chance to make a difference in the lives of those children assigned to her. She is backed up by a support system of CASA professionals and she will work with the DFACS case worker.
Smith’s case involves two boys ages 4 and 5. They had been removed by DFACS from their mother who had a serious substance abuse habit. The grand mother had custody. It did not take long for Smith to ascertain that the grandmother was giving the two boys back to her daughter when the mom was arrested for DUI with the kids in her car. When Smith checks in with the DFACS caseworker she readily determines that an aunt and uncle to the two boys are willing to act as foster parents with the intention to adopt the boys after a year. Marilyn visits the mother, the grandmother, the prospective foster parents and the DFACS case manager. Her task is to make a recommendation to the Juvenile judge as to what is in the best interest of the children.
That is where the term CASA originates: Court Appointed Special Advocate. Smith quickly determines that all parties but the children either hire legal counsel or have it provided. Her role is to prepare a report to the Judge as to what is in the best interests of the children. The judges listen attentively to CASA volunteers as they see them as their special advocates who typically have an impartial perspective. Smith feels that at times she has to have the wisdom of Solomon to make her report to the court. She is actually given the authority to see all the case work and talk to anyone involved in the children’s lives. She will visit their pre-k school, she will go to the police who arrest the Mother once again, and she will see the boys in their aunt and uncle’s home about once a month. She will listen and apply her training, experience and wisdom as a mother.
When she prepares her report to the court it is review by the CASA Administrative team who will be with her at the hearing where she speaks on behalf of the children. The first time this occurs she is as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs! But, her confidence grows as the judge clearly wants her views and attaches way more importance to what she says than she expected. Her confidence grows after her first hearing.
When the Judge issues the order and removes the Parental Rights from the Mother and recommends that the Aunt and Uncle adopt the boys, she is elated. As she exits the courtroom, she whispers to her CASA Supervisor: “when do I get my next case? And, this time I want to have a baby assigned to me”.
The CASA supervisor smiles and wonders: how did her confidence grow so quickly? She started the day with such self doubts! And she responds: “Marilyn, we need more CASA Volunteers and you know people, either single or couples, you could recommend to us. How about some of your buddies who have an interest in working on behalf of children? Have them call the CASA office at 478 452-9170. And tell them they don’t have to be perfect, just motivated with a good dose of common sense.”
All the information including the case above are exactly what CASA volunteers do every day in our community, and we would love to hear from you. Do what Marilyn did and make your volunteering count for children.
You can make a big difference in a child’s life by becoming a CASA. The 10-session training course will start in Milledgeville Sep. 27 After completing the coursework, you will be sworn-in by a judge and become an officer of the court. Please call (478) 452-9170 or email ocasash@baldwin.k12.ga.us to get an application or visit www.ocmulgeecasa.org.