CASA in Tiffin Celebrates 10 years
On a bright sunny morning about two weeks ago on the Seneca County Courthouse steps, the Tiffin unit of Court Appointed Special Advocates celebrated ten years of serving abused and neglected children by honoring many people who helped CASA become a reality in Tiffin. The lawn was bright with l,444 flags each representing a child that CASA volunteers have helped during ten years of CASA involvement.
A tree was planted by the County Commissioners on the courthouse lawn. The following early supporters were presented framed pictures for their help: Agnes Reiter, an early leader, Judge Gerald Meyer, who saw the needs that were not being met in his Juvenile Court, Lee Martin, a member of the Family Preservation Council, which met in 1989 to support the beginning of CASA, Kathy Oliver of the Mental Health Board, which provided early financial support, Ken Stockmaster, of the United Way, who provided office space, John Kauffman, for articles in the Advertiser-Tribune, Gabi Felter, the first president of the CASA Board of Trustees, the County Commissioners, the National Machinery Foundation, and George Tolfert, president of the Webster Foundation for financial support. Vince and Eleanor Arnold were honored for a substantial donation, that they give each year. The first three CASA volunteers, Bill Arnold, Luanne Hufford, Judy Sherman and Judy Reiter, the present director of CASA, were honored.
Many other groups have provided financial assistance over the years. In 1992 on November 27th Wall Mart donated 5% of its sales for the day, and CASA held a raffle there. Whirlpool donated $1000. Many churches and private individuals give money. Every year for the past several years, the students at Sentinel Vocational School and Tom Huss, retired fireman, have built a spectacular, children’s playhouse which is raffled off at the Heritage Festival.
The CASA program in Tiffin now provides leadership for other units which have been started in Upper Sandusky and Fremont.
Although there has been much publicity about the CASA program over the ten years of its existence, some readers may not be familiar with the program. Judge Meyer felt the need for more detailed, objective information about the cases involving children appearing before his court. Thus, he was active in founding CASA. A CASA volunteer is also appointed a Guardian Ad Litem for the children in his or her case. In the past, some Guardians Ad Litem have been attorneys who were paid. Now almost all guardians are CASA volunteers. The duty of a guardian is to discover what would be in the best interest of the child or children.
To that end, a CASA volunteer meets with all parties in the case – the child, social workers from Job and Family Services, parents, foster parents, and relatives. He or she reads reports from psychologists, and school counselors. CASA volunteers meet regularly with the child and stays with a case until it ends. They submit written reports and recommendations to the court on their findings. They feel their task is to listen to every one and report what they hear and see. Each home placement case is as unique as the child involved. Every CASA volunteer agrees to keep all of her or his knowledge of the case confidential.
A CASA volunteer does not provide legal representation. That is the role of the attorney. However, the CASA volunteer does provide crucial background information. It is important that the volunteer does not represent the child’s wishes in court. Rather they speak to the child’s best interests.
In an example of a typical case from another area, Job and Family Services was called by a teacher because of suspected abuse of the children. The children were removed from the home and placed in foster care. When this case came before juvenile court, a CASA volunteer was appointed. Job and Family Services spent months in counseling and other efforts to reunite the children with their parents. In this case, the parents could not be cured of their drug addiction, and agreed to give up their parental rights. The children stayed in foster care until an adoptive family was found. At this point, the CASA volunteer’s duties were ended. In other cases, their duties continue until the child or children become 18 years old. CASA director, Judy Reiter, says” The hardest part is you try to figure out who is telling the truth”.
During their time on a case, the CASA volunteer is often the only steady continuing influence in the children’s lives. The children often have to live in several different foster homes, and social workers, and lawyers change.
I have been a CASA volunteer for about three years. My first case is nearing completion, and I have accepted two more cases. More CASA volunteers are needed. Who may be a CASA volunteer? Anyone twenty one years or older. No special or legal background is required. Volunteers are screened for objectivity, competence and commitment.
Once accepted into the program, a thorough training program lasting 20 hours is conducted by local CASA workers. Volunteers learn about courtroom procedure as well as effective advocacy techniques for children. They learn about specific topics ranging from child sexual abuse to early childhood development and adolescent behavior.
How much time does all this take? Certainly each case is different, however a CASA volunteer usually spends about 10 hours doing research and conducting interviews prior to their first court appearance. Once initiated into the system, volunteers spend about 10 – 15 hours a month. However, if a volunteer must be out of town on a court date the staff at the CASA office provide backup. As written above, the volunteer stays with a case until it is permanently resolved. This continuity is critical. Volunteers explain to the child the events that are happening, the reasons they are in court, and the roles the judge, lawyers and social workers play. They also encourage the child to express his or her own opinion and hopes.
If you would like to become a CASA volunteer, call Judy Reiter at 448-1442, or write to CASA at 124 S. Washington Street to find out when the next training session begins.
– Mary