CASA

Ever heard of CASA? Neither had I before last August. But what I heard really made sense and intrigued me.

If you have any experience with the US foster care system you know that each case is dramatically different and depending on the case workers, therapists, GAL (the Guardian Ad Litem- child's lawyer), and anyone else involved in a case (not the mention the child's parents themselves). Sometimes the case gets stalled somewhere between inception and completion. Some children are foster children almost their entire childhood. That is not healthy for a child, with the constant sense of insecurity, and should not happen.

Each state has a certain guideline time for a child to achieve permanency; whether through returning home to a parent who has successfully worked their case plan, through termination of parental rights (TPR) and a subsequent adoption, through a legal guardianship, or other avenue. If somewhere along the line, there is a breakdown in communication and progress, the Judge can request that a CASA be appointed to the case.

If the county has a CASA program, a CASA volunteer will be put on a specific case. They may be appointed for one child, or an entire sibling group, depending on the needs of the case. Once assigned to a case, a CASA has access to all those involved with the child, including the foster parent, case worker, teacher, coaches, evaluations done on the child, etc., to talk with them about the child's progress and situation. This access to anyone involved with the child is to allow the CASA to be the "eyes and ears" of the Judge.

If CASA is appointed, the Judge wants to know exactly what is going on in the case. Maybe the Judge is receiving conflicting reports about the case, the case is taking too long, or the Judge cannot understand the specifics about the case from the reports they have received. The CASA to collect facts so that the Judge can have a better sense of what is happening in a case so he can make an informed decision about what is in the best interests of the child. Although the CASA can make a recommendation as to what should happen with the goal for the case (return home, TPR, legal guardianship, etc.), the Judge ultimately makes the decision.

Becoming a CASA requires background checks and training courses. Once a person has completed that being a CASA you are required to see the child(ren) on your case a minimum of once per month and must observe their living quarters. The CASA must attempt to gather information on related to the specific concerns of the Judge, and also the child's (or children's) progress in school, therapy, extra-curricular activities, the child's relationships with others, etc.

CASA requires a time commitment of one year or more, but they prefer for the CASA to stay on one case the whole time, if possible. One of the objectives of being a CASA is to build a relationship with the child(ren) on your case through monthly (or more frequent) visits, and without a commitment of one year or more that can be difficult.

I have had a very rewarding experience as a CASA, and the case I was appointed to has been moved to adoption. I am happy to say that I contributed to a child achieving permanency in a happy and healthy home, where she is happy and well-adjusted. As an aside, I would have been equally happy to have the child return home if it was safe and appropriate, but that was not the case in this situation.

I'm looking forward to being assigned to my next case!

To read more about CASA, please check their website. This is a very rewarding way to get involved with foster care and (sometimes) adoption, and any amount of time spent working on a case will be very much worth it. Please consider this as a way to give back.