Advocate for Children

By Alfredo Sanchez

August 12, 2015

How often have we heard that it is in giving that we receive or that change happens when we get involved?   How often have we wanted to give or get involved but just had no idea how to get started or who to contact?  You are interested in helping children but you have no idea what organizations or government agencies assist children.  Who would be interested in my talent, caring for children?

Have you ever considered being a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Children?  The Mission of Casa is “to provide trained community volunteers, to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children and to promote community awareness about child abuse issues.” 

So what does an advocate do and how long does it take to become an advocate? Volunteers have to be 21 years of age and would have to complete the volunteer training. Once you volunteer you are invited for an interview.  The interview allows you to ask questions to determine if this is something you really want to do.  There is a background check.  There are 30 hours of training which includes one full 8 hour day followed by once a week, 3 hour trainings.    Once your training is complete you are assigned to a child.  As a new volunteer, you will only have one case at a time.  Some senior volunteers request two cases at a time.  You have the right to refuse a case if you are not comfortable with a case.  There will be CASA employees or senior volunteers available when you have questions.

With CASA you will not be working alone.  You will have a team of experienced advocates that will help you become a better advocate and to understand your role.   The objective is to determine what is best for the child and then to make that happen.  As an advocate you are asked to commit 18 months; some cases are longer some are shorter.   The average time to commit per month varies, but may be between 10-30 hours.    As an advocate you will testify before the court.  As an advocate you will assist by providing your perspective on the case and make recommendations.  As you get to know the child you are the child’s voice.   What is best for the child is the concern.   All children at CASA come through Child Protective Services (CPS)

One example of the role of the CASA volunteer is the situation of six cousins, ages 9 and under, were taken from their mothers as a result of child neglect and drug addiction.  Child Protection Services investigated the situation and removed the children from that situation.  Because the number of children were too many to be placed in one home, the children were separated.  Their CASA volunteer made arrangements so that the children could visit one another.  When the maternal aunt came forward and was willing to adopt, the Casa volunteer stepped in again and assisted with finding donated furniture for the children.   The aunt adopted the children.  Thanks to the CASA volunteer and the CASA family these children now have a stable family to grow up in. 

The program is in need of bi-lingual volunteers.  As Latinos are aware, the Latino community is not immune to family violence and child neglect.   The Hispanic child that finds himself plagued by family violence and neglect not only needs someone to advocate for him but someone that speaks the same language.   In 2014, CASA assisted 485 children including 103 Latino children. CASA had only one Latino volunteer that year.  In 2015, Casa has assisted 419 children with 95 being Hispanic and they have three Latino volunteers with only one being bilingual.  

With CASA you can make a difference in a child’s life and your life.  To contact the Denton CASA office call 940-243-2272 or visit www.casadenton.org.