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Needed: 'A heart for kids' Susan Miller gets presents ready at the CASA office on Front Street in Medford. [Mail Tribune / Andy Atkinson] Wednesday Dec 27, 2017 at 4:02 PM Dec 27, 2017 at 4:12 PM Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune While coordinators for CASA of Jackson County say they are humbled by the dedication of 183 court-appointed special advocates who serve more than 600 children in the local foster care system, another 450 children remain on a waiting list without anyone to speak up and act on their behalf. Wenona Spivak, director of programs and education for CASA of Jackson County, said an increase in the number of children entering the local foster care system has created an immediate need to recruit at least another 100 CASAs. Local CASAs advocate for children and communicate between family members, courts and school officials to ensure the child's needs are being identified and met. Some days, CASAs simply provide a friendly visit so the child has someone to spend time with. “It’s amazing the difference our CASAs have made in so many lives. They truly become like family. If we could recruit another 100 CASAs, we would be able to help all the children who have a need,” Spivak said. “The need just continues to grow. We know that kids who have CASAs are more likely to get needed services happening quickly and more often. Kids with CASAs have an advocate, someone in their corner.” Orientation sessions for potential new CASAs are held from noon to 1 p.m. every Thursday, and the next CASA training session for recruits is scheduled for January. Spivak said she has 20 registrations confirmed for her January training and hopes to add another 10 people. The training sessions, which last about three weeks, provide 30 hours of necessary learning to prepare CASAs to advocate for kids in need. Spivak said the 28-year-old agency is in awe of the dedication of CASAs who serve so many children. Being there for children in need was what prompted Ashland resident Susan Miller to become a CASA two years ago. Miller said her work as a CASA has given her a glimpse into the struggles children face when they’re in “the system.” Miller, who serves as a CASA for six children from four different families, said the most rewarding part of being a CASA is connecting with the children and knowing they have an adult who will offer consistency. “The main thing needed for being a CASA is an innate desire to help children in need. I think that we do have wonderful training once we make that decision, and I think, for all of us, it’s about wanting to make a difference in a child’s life,” Miller said. Spivak and Miller said CASAs can come from all walks of life. Duties can involve visiting a child to determine any ongoing issues, advocating for care, interviewing people involved in the child’s life or just spending time talking to the child. Miller said her CASA duties can include advocating for medical care or classes in school or simply taking walks or working on puzzles. “Someone can work full-time and still make a tremendous difference in a child’s life," Miller said. "One child, I visit on weekends. Some I have visited while they’re in school. Flexibility is amazing with this kind of position. Sometimes what’s needed is just to call or text teachers or family or anybody else in their lives to keep up with what’s going on in their lives.” Harry Howard, the agency's longest-serving CASA, said he had plenty of reservations when he signed on as the new agency formed some 28 years ago. Nowadays, he can’t imagine not serving as a CASA. In his 70s and an avid horse and motorcycle rider, Howard said there is no “typical” description of who best should serve as a CASA. “When I joined, I was thinking about doing some kind of volunteer work. I had some court experience with my company. I liked children … but they were asking for a two-year commitment. I thought, ‘Do I really want to sign up for two years?' ” Now, Howard said, he more frequently asks himself, “How does someone stop?” “People ask how you’re able to do that work," he said. "It’s true that it tears your heart out, but how can someone not do it when there is such a need?” “You have to be a person who is very nonjudgmental and who can be flexible," Spivak said. "Other than that, there is not one typical CASA ‘type.’ I have CASAs from 21 to 91. Some have college, some have no college. Some have a Ph.D. There are mechanics, homemakers, firemen … CASAs come from all walks of life. “The bottom line is that a CASA is anybody who has a heart for kids and wants to make a positive difference. CASAs can literally change a child’s life path.” For information about becoming a CASA, see www.jacksoncountycasa.org or call 541-734-2272. — Buffy Pollock is a freelance writer living in Medford. Email her at [email protected].