by Jan Spence –
Before you read any further, please study the photo. Notice Williamson County Judge Betsy Lambeth standing to the left and a group of people with their hands raised in solemn promise standing to the right. These people are being sworn in as officers of the court, and they are the newest group of volunteers to complete their training and step into their role as Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for children who find themselves in the judicial system as a result of abuse or neglect. Our SoS grant of $20,000 helped support the hiring of an additional staff member who can serve as a supervisor to these new CASA volunteers.
Okay, now let’s go back to the beginning. On a windy day in late October, SoS members Leslie Ford, Joanne Hoover, Susan Nilsen, and I met with Alisa De Luna, Executive Director of CASA of Williamson County; Melia Garber, Program Director; and Amy Saenz, CASA Advocate Supervisor. They were extremely professional and very patient as they answered all of our questions.
We learned that CASA of Williamson County is a relatively young organization. It was established in 2009 at the invitation of the district judges who oversee child abuse cases. Alisa took the reins as Executive Director and got the ball rolling, with volunteers being assigned to children in 2010. You may be interested to know that CASA volunteers receive 35 hours of training over five to six weeks. Once a case has been assigned, a volunteer can expect to work with a child for approximately twelve to eighteen months.
With the addition of Melia and additional advocate supervisors (including the supervisor our SoS grant helped fund), 185 children are now receiving the support of a CASA volunteer. While this is a lot to be proud of, there are currently 440 children in the judicial system who would also benefit from a relationship with a volunteer. So there are still metaphoric “miles to go before we sleep,” as Robert Frost so eloquently stated. As Ms. De Luna leads the way in measured expansion of volunteer services (this year’s goal is to serve 225 children), she keeps the core values of CASA at the forefront: Children are the priority. Volunteers make a difference.
Yes, volunteers DO make a difference. Statistics show that children without CASA volunteers spend a longer time in foster care and are less likely to get the help and services they need. One very important role of a volunteer is to serve as the communication hub among the many professionals involved in a child’s case–police officers, social workers, psychologists, doctors, attorneys, teachers, etc. In addition, the volunteer listens to and observes the child, assesses the overall situation, contacts extended family members, and advocates for the child in court and in the community.
Amy, an advocate supervisor, shared with us this story of one youngster she called Shara (not her real name). Shara was in foster care in a residential treatment center for behavioral issues. Her mother’s parental rights had been terminated, and Shara was very angry with her. Furthermore, Shara had no contact with any other family members. She was alone – except for her CASA volunteer. Shara’s volunteer did some background work. She found an adult sister and arranged for the siblings to begin visiting. The volunteer also found Shara’s maternal aunt, and Shara eventually exited foster care to live with her. Shara also began to communicate with her biological mom, and their relationship continues to improve.
Now back to the photo. All of those kind, caring souls being sworn in are about to venture out to make a difference in the life of a child who desperately needs help. The ripple effect of our grant dollars to CASA of Williamson County are captured for posterity.