Living Well 60+ September – October 2015

10 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 CASA Volunteers Go to Bat for Abused, Neglected Children LW50+ readers would be “fantastic fit” by Martha Evans Sparks, Staff Writer Would you like to do something about child abuse and neglect? Here’s your chance. CASA needs volunteer help. CASA stands for Court Appoint- ed Special Advocates. Lexington CASA Executive Director Melynda Jamison says 115 CASA volunteers currently serve Fayette County. She believes readers of this magazine Melynda Jamison, CASA Executive Director “would be a fantastic fit” as CASA volunteers. While some CASA volunteers are retired, nationally more than 60 percent also work at full- or part-time jobs. More than half have college degrees. About 82 percent of the CASA volunteers in the United States are women. More than 900 CASA programs operate nationwide. Lexington CASA is attempting to do something about a statistic no Kentuckian is proud of. “Kentucky has been among the top states for child abuse and neglect for the past nine years, if not the top state,” Jamison said. CASA’s mission statement says, “Through the power of volunteer advocacy, CASA of Lexington works to ensure that all victims of child abuse and neglect are given a chance to thrive in a safe, permanent home.” After receiving 30 hours of training, a CASA volunteer is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests – not necessarily the wishes – of an abused or neglected child. The volunteer is the child’s voice in family court. In becoming a CASA volunteer, you should be able to commit approximately six to 10 hours a month for at least one to two years to the family to whom you are assigned. You will talk with the child, parents, family members, social workers, school officials, health providers – anyone knowledgeable about the child’s history. You may also review school, medical or other relevant documents. Typically, a CASA volunteer averages only one or two cases, giving him or her time to thoroughly examine the child’s circumstances. The volunteer is in a position to answer the family court judge’s questions and make informed recommendations freely. A CASA volunteer’s role is to provide to the family court judge carefully researched background details about the child to help the judge make the best decision about the child’s future. CASA volunteers are not lawyers, nor do they replace social workers. They are independent appointees of the court. They do not provide legal representation in court, but the detailed, crucial information they have may assist the attorney in presenting a case. Volunteers monitor that the child’s needs are being met and court orders are being complied with. They visit the child at least monthly, usually in the child’s place of residence. Case confidentiality is always kept except in situations mandated by law. CASA began in 1977 when Seattle, Wash., Superior Court Judge David Soukup realized he was not getting enough information about the abused and neglected children appearing in his court to be certain he was making the best decision to facilitate a child’s growth into a mature and happy adult. He came up with the idea now called CASA. By 1978, CASA methods were being followed in courts across the country. By 1982, an association to lead CASA nationally was formed. CASA came to Lexington in 1986 when then District Court Judge Don Paris brought the idea home from a judicial conference he attended in Reno, Nev. In 2003, the Lexington CASA program incorporated and became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. This status enables it to receive grants and tax-deductible donations. CASA CASA Continued on Page 31

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