Advocating for Foster Children
It was a several years ago when I first heard about Child Advocates. I gave it some thought but decided I wasn’t ready to really commit to it.
I’m ready now. Or at least I think I am. Children in foster care have a very special place in my heart, for obvious reasons. We’re not ready to take in more foster children at this point, but this is a great alternative for people who really want to make a difference.
“Volunteers serve children involved in the juvenile court system once appointed to a child’s case by a juvenile court judge. This means that our volunteers have the legal status of “guardians ad litem”, giving them the power to affect real change in the life of a child. Once appointed by a juvenile court judge, our Court Appointed Advocate volunteers begin a process of information gathering with the goal of guiding abused children out of the foster care system, identifying the child’s needs and ensuring rehabilitative services. They act as a communications link between the child and the juvenile courts. Volunteers gather all the pertinent information about their child’s case and make recommendations to the judge based on that information. “
This is what I’m talking about. Where case workers are generally assigned anywhere from 20-60 cases at any given time, it’s my understanding that CASA workers are only assigned one or two at a time, allowing the opportunity to really focus on the child at hand.
I’m going to an orientation meeting today and hoping that I will be as excited about it when I get home.
Thus, a new journey begins.
3 Comments »
3 Responses to “Advocating for Foster Children”
brittney on 06 Feb 2007 at 9:25 am #
Let me know more about your experience with this in the future. This might be something I would LOVE to do.
Judy on 06 Feb 2007 at 3:13 pm #
I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on CASA. I personally think it is a wonderful program. I have a friend who is a CASA volunteer, though, and her case is gut-wrenching. She is a VERY strong woman to do it - I know you’ll do well.
Me on 09 Feb 2007 at 6:02 pm #
I think you would do a great job as a CASA worker. I was just introduced to this with my newest arrival and she’s a great woman, but has never been around the system or foster children. Having seen the side of it you have, you would be able to really be an advocate in the strongest sense. My prayers go with you.