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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our view: The wolves' way ... Readings of new plays by local playwrights featured ... Ticket availability ... Our view: The wolves' way ... Readings of new plays by local playwrights featured ... Ticket availability ... ASHLAND RUNS ON VOLUNTEERS Ashland Runs on Volunteers: CASA indispensable in helping kids navigate legal system Comment By Mary I. Coombs DailyTidings.com By Mary I. Coombs Posted Apr. 14, 2015 at 7:19 PM By Mary I. Coombs Posted Apr. 14, 2015 at 7:19 PM » Social News We all want every child to be safe and happy in a permanent home with loving adults. Unfortunately, that is not the case for hundreds of children in Jackson County who are the victims of abuse or neglect. When that happens, Child Welfare can intervene and bring a case before the juvenile dependency court. At that time, a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer can be appointed. These volunteers operate under the umbrella of CASA of Jackson County, a nonprofit organization, to be advocates for the interests of those children. Who are the children who come into the system and need a CASA? They can be any age from birth to 18 (more than 40 percent are 5 or under). In more than 80 percent of the cases, there are suspected drug and/or alcohol problems in the parental home. They may be in the system only a short time, or they may remain until they “age out” still under court supervision, and sometimes after multiple placements in different foster homes or cycling in and out of supervised care in the homes of parents or other relatives. What does the CASA do? He or she interacts with the child and with all the relevant actors in the child’s life: the parents, other relatives, teachers and principals, medical personnel, psychologists, neighbors — anyone who may have information that is important to helping the child and helping make decisions about the child’s future. The CASA investigates to see if the services being provided to the child —educational, medical, psychological — are adequate and appropriate and advocates for the child if they are not (especially if they do not meet the requirements of prior court orders). The CASA also reports to the juvenile court judge at hearings, in writing and orally. The CASA is the one person who has the time and responsibility to gather all this information and use it to advocate for what is in the best interests of the child or children. The CASA’s views, developed by this investigation and by close assessment of the child, are taken very seriously by the court as it decides on the placement of the child Being a CASA is a significant commitment. The average CASA has a “caseload” of three children (who may be from a single sibling group) at any particular time, and is expected to continue as the CASA for a particular child for as long as he or she is under court supervision, typically two years. The expected work load is 10 hours per month, though it can be more or less depending on the complexity of the case and can vary over time. One of my sources, considering the variety of tasks and skills needed, and the importance of the task, calls CASAs the “Navy Seals of volunteers.” While accommodations can be made if a CASA needs to be out of town for short periods, it is not a volunteer position for a snowbird: these children often have very disrupted lives and the CASA can be the most stable figure for them during the time they are in the system. Before you think this may be too much, be aware of the strong support the CASA volunteers get from the paid staff, as well as volunteer peers (peer coordinators) who are incredibly knowledgeable about the relevant local resources. The rewards for the CASA are also high. As you can see on the video at the CASA website (go to http://www.jacksoncountycasa.org/ and click to the first video at “casa media” under the heading “about us”), CASAs have stories of connecting with children in need and seeing, partly as a result of their efforts, these children leave the system with support systems and inner strengths far beyond what might have been without a CASA. (Those children who have a CASA spend an average of 10 months less in the system.) Who can be a CASA? People who have the time, the energy and the love to give to children in need. It’s a county-wide organization, so you should have transportation: even if the case you are assigned to involves a child in Ashland, placements can change and you need to be able to go where the child is. It’s not a simple job, but you don’t need any particular knowledge or background. Instead, you must undergo a 40-hour training, preceded by an orientation (every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. at the CASA office in Medford) that will tell you more to help you decide if this is for you. The next training starts on April 27; you could go to an orientation on Thursday, April 16 or April 23, and then fill out the application. When you have finished the training, you will be matched with a child or children who are right for you, whether you love babies or are comfortable interacting with teenagers or are willing to take on a large sibling group. Why should you do it? Every person involved in the child dependency system agrees that children’s experiences of the system are far better if they have a CASA. But last year, while 165 CASAs served 591 children, there were no CASAs for another 300 eligible children. Do you want to help fill that gap? For more information, go to the website above or call 541-734-2272. Mary I. Coombs’ column on local nonprofit organizations appears every three weeks. Email questions and suggestions to [email protected]. By Mary I. Coombs DailyTidings.com By Mary I. Coombs Posted Apr. 14, 2015 at 7:19 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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