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Asked & Answered: What is a CASA volunteer’s role in reunification?

As reunification is always the initial focus of the case, CASA volunteers play a vital role in not only advocating for the child, but also building a relationship with the parents, and helping them build a positive support system within their community.

The exact role a CASA plays in reunification varies case by case but often includes the following:

Service Provision: Helping the family heal and reunify requires aide from various community partners.  CASA volunteers work with biological families to identify appropriate resources that support reunification including mental health services, substance abuse treatment, parenting classes, and housing.

Parent Visitation: Throughout the case, CASA volunteers will also observe visitations/interactions between the parents and child and help ensure that visits are occurring regularly to help repair and continue to build the bond between parent and child. 

Residential Review: Advocates also make home visits to assess the environment and identify any safety/health concerns that may need to be addressed. The main goal is for the parents to be able to provide a safe and nurturing home for their child/children.

Partner Relationships: CASA volunteers play an integral role in their cases by collaborating with DHS, foster parents, biological parents, attorneys, and the child/children to assess the progress of the case and ensure that the child’s best interest is always being kept in mind. By maintaining these positive relationships and communicating with all parties involved, it greatly increases the opportunities for families to be reunified. 

During the course of a case, it may become clear that reunification is not in the best interest of a child we serve. But, seeing a child reunify with their family is one of the brightest moments of being a CASA volunteer and highlights the important role that an advocate plays in the foster care system.

 

Answered by Advocate Supervisor Amanda Quillen

A volunteer’s perspective on reunification

Reunification can be hard to understand, and many CASA volunteers are unsure about working with parents when they take their first case. We asked veteran volunteer Deanna Cicatiello for her perspective on reunification and working with parents in this Q&A.

Q: Was it hard to imagine working with parents when you first became a CASA volunteer?

A: “I was unsure about working with parents. After all, their actions resulted in their kids being taken from their custody. But once I started working cases, I‘d learn more about them and become invested in their success.”

Q: What surprised you about working with parents?

A: “It didn’t take long for me to realize that in some situations, they’re not bad people; they’ve simply made bad choices. And in a lot of cases, the parents have suffered their own trauma that they continue to struggle with. That adds another layer of difficulty to things.”

Q: How has your view of parents changed since working with them?

A: “My experiences have definitely made me more compassionate and understanding. I realize how important it is to go in with an open mind. They may have gotten in a bad relationship or they just need some help. I’ve definitely become less judgmental.”

Q: What are some of the issues they have to overcome?

A: “One of the biggest is probably sobriety when drugs and alcohol are involved. Getting over an addiction takes enormous effort. It’s easy to get discouraged, especially if they don’t have support.”

Q: How do you help parents when the case’s goal is reunification?

A: “Working toward reunification is a long process, and they might feel like they’re not getting anywhere. One of the most important things I can do is encourage them and let them know that someone’s in their corner. When parents get the case plan with the list of what they have to do if reunification is going to be an option, it’s overwhelming and intimidating. I think even just one person calling and checking on them and offering consistent encouragement can make the difference between failure and success.”

Q: Has seeing parents’ successes inspired you?

A: “Absolutely. In my first reunification, it was a mother wanting to reunify. I could see how hard she was working. It would’ve been so much easier for her to just keep doing what she was doing before, but she was committed to becoming a better person and a better mom for her kids.”

The Child Welfare Team

Being in foster care can be overwhelming for children and parents for many reasons. One of those reasons is the sheer number of people working on a case at a time. Each is important to making sure the case follows the legal timeline while working as a team to promote the ultimate goal of reunifying a child with their parent or making sure there is a solid plan in cases where reunification cannot happen.

So, just who is involved in a foster care case besides the child and their parents?

First, you have the DHS caseworker. They are responsible for the everyday safety and well-being of all the children on their caseloads.  At the same time, they are responsible for making sure parents are getting the services they need to have their children returned to them.  It is a big job that often requires driving kids across the state, finding last minute placements, setting up doctors and therapy appointments, making home visits to foster homes, meeting with parents, drawing up case plans and testifying in court.  What don’t they do, really?

The Office of Chief Counsel or OCC is the attorney for the DHS caseworker on the case. They are there to protect the interests of the Department of Human Services. They help the DHS worker communicate with the Judge during court. They are considered the “prosecuting attorney” of the case and file all the initial petitions in order to take the hold on children.

The Attorney Ad Litem is a court appointed attorney specifically assigned to speak on behalf of the best interests of the foster child(ren) they represent. They will often voice the child’s thoughts and opinions during a case. They can call witnesses and file motions on behalf of their client.  The Attorney Ad Litem works very closely with the CASA volunteer on the case as their perspectives often align. The Attorney Ad Litem is required by law to present the CASA court report to the judge.

While the Ad Litem is the attorney for the child, the child also has a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to speak up for their best interests. Unlike the Ad Litem, the CASA is a volunteer. Often assigned to only one case at a time, the CASA volunteer has the capacity to delve very deeply into the families involved. CASA advocates work closely with the child, DHS, and biological and foster parents to identify and fulfill resource gaps. As an objective third party, they can speak freely to the child’s needs and keep the focus where it should be: on the safety and well-being of the child.

Parents always have a right to an attorney in juvenile court proceedings. If parents are under a certain income level, they will be assigned a court appointed attorney. Whether paid for by the parent or by the state, parent counsel is there to guide their client through the child welfare process.  While they often encourage parents to complete services, ultimately they are there to protect the parents’ rights and interests in the case even if it goes against the best interest of the children involved.

Foster parents fill a vital role in the life of a foster child. During a difficult time in a child’s life, they can be a safe place to land. They tuck children into bed at night and provide the everyday care for the child. Foster parents can be a support for a child in the actual court room while providing information to the court about any specific needs the child has. In some cases, the foster parents can be a good support system for parents by helping to provide some one on one parenting skills, supervising visits and encouraging healthy interactions. Beyond a foster home, a child may also be placed in a residential facility, group home, or shelter. In those cases, it is the staff of those placements that fill in the foster parent role.

Therapists, teachers, doctors, child care providers, coaches, etc. all play critical roles in providing services and care to a child in foster care. If a child is of Native American descent, tribal representation will also be a valued member of the child welfare team. Because each child’s experience and needs are different, the role they play in any particular case varies. All of these professionals can be called upon, by the court, to provide critical information on a child’s progress, needs, and permanency.

And finally….

The Juvenile Judge. The judge is an elected official who conducts the actual foster care court proceedings. They must be impartial and properly interpret the law. Each attorney presents their case to the judge, CASAs write reports and witnesses testify, but the ultimate outcome of a child’s case is squarely on the shoulders of the judge.

The players are many in child welfare, but the objective is the same. We are grateful to each and every one of our partners for staying committed to the safety and well-being of children in foster care.

Asked & Answered: What happens when a call is made to the Child Abuse Hotline?

When a call is made to the child abuse hotline, the hotline operator must decide if there is enough information available to take the report. The hotline operator will gather information from the caller including whether he/she is a mandated reporter as well as if the caller wishes to identify him/herself or report anonymously.

The hotline operator will then ask for information about the alleged child maltreatment. The caller should provide as much specific and pertinent information as possible regarding the concerns, the child’s name, the alleged offender name and address, and any available contact information for the family. If there are others who may have knowledge of the alleged maltreatment, the caller should provide this to the operator as well. The more information the caller gives the better.

The hotline operator will then decide, based on the information provided, whether the call can be accepted for an investigation. If the call is accepted, the report will be sent either to the Division of Children Family Services or the Arkansas State Police (Crimes Against Children Division) to investigate depending on the severity of the concerns. An investigator will visit with the family to discuss the allegations and ensure the safety of every child in the family. If the child cannot safely remain in the home, removal may be necessary for the health and safety of the child. If the child can safely remain in the home, the investigator will assess the needs of the family and begin to put in place services and supports for the family while the investigation is ongoing.

The investigation is typically completed within 30-45 days. Based on the findings of the investigation, the family may be done with involvement from DCFS, or a case may open to offer the family continued support and services to work on safely caring for the child.

 

Answered by Advocate Supervisor Kayla Tave

Child Abuse Prevention Month

The key to prevention is knowledge. Here are some tips taken from the Child Welfare Information Gateway’s Prevention Resource Guide you may find helpful. If you don’t have children, consider sharing this with those who do.

  • Take an active role in your children’s lives. Learn about their activities and people with whom they are involved. Stay alert for possible problems.
  • Watch for “grooming” behaviors in adults who spend time with your child. Warning signs may include frequently finding ways to be alone with your child, ignoring your child’s need for privacy (e.g., in the bathroom), or giving gifts or money for no particular occasion.
  • Ensure that organizations, groups, and teams that your children are involved with minimize one-on-one time between children and adults. Ask how staff and volunteers are screened and supervised.
  • Make sure your children know that they can talk to you about anything that bothers or confuses them.
  • Teach children accurate names of private body parts and the difference between touches that are “okay” and “not okay.”
  • Empower children to make decisions about their bodies by allowing them age-appropriate privacy and encouraging them to say “no” when they do not want to touch or be touched by others—even in nonsexual ways.
  • Teach children to take care of their own bodies (e.g., bathing or using the bathroom) so they do not have to rely on adults or older children for help.
  • Educate children about the difference between good secrets (such as birthday surprises) and bad secrets (those that make the child feel unsafe or uncomfortable).
  • Monitor children’s use of technology, including cell phones, social networking sites, and messaging. Review their friends lists regularly and ask about any people you don’t recognize.
  • Trust your instincts! If you feel uneasy about leaving your child with someone, don’t do it. If you are concerned about possible sexual abuse, ask questions.
  • If your child tells you that he or she has been abused, stay calm, listen carefully, and never blame the child. Thank your child for telling you. Report the abuse right away.

Our partners at the Children’s Safety Center of Washington County have some excellent resources to help facilitate these conversations with your children. Find them here.

We hope you find these tips helpful and feel more empowered to prevent child abuse.

If you suspect a child has been or is being abused, call the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-844-SAVE-A-CHILD (1-844-728-3224).

Asked & Answered: Does an advocate work with a single child?

A new advocate is assigned a single case. That case may include one child or a sibling group. If an advocate chooses a case with a sibling group, he/she will provide advocacy services for all children on the case.
Some of our seasoned advocates like to take on two cases at a time. It is important for a CASA to have some experience under his/her belt before deciding to take a second simultaneously. This decision is considered seriously with the CASA and their supervisor. In that instance, a CASA may be serving two cases/families with multiple children in each.
Overall, the majority of our advocates serve one case/family at a time, and the number of children will vary based on the family size.

Answered by Advocate Supervisor Abra Morgan, LSW

 

 

 

Is there a question we haven’t covered that you’re wondering about? Email info@nwacasa.org!

 

Asked & Answered: Can You Work a Full-Time Job while Performing CASA Duties?

Absolutely! Many of our volunteers have full-time jobs and families. Most of the CASA’s duties are carried out on their own time. Such tasks may include conducting independent research, reviewing relevant documents, visiting/interviewing biological and foster families, and of course, visiting the children in their placements. With that said, there may be some challenges regarding scheduling. We often have to work around the schedules of others since we are asking to enter their homes — and as of this last year, their screens! Foster families tend to be busy people!

There are certain necessary CASA commitments that take place during regular business hours, such as case meetings or court hearings. Court hearings typically occur 3 to 4 times a year and are scheduled months in advance. We encourage potential volunteers to have a conversation with their employers about taking time off for these appointments. We generally find that employers are willing to be flexible, particularly for such a good cause. If a volunteer must miss one of these important meetings, their CASA staff supervisor will participate and communicate on their behalf, later providing the volunteer with a summary of what they missed.

The time commitment of a CASA volunteer is definitely something to consider, but it is often the case that people are able to balance the workload and schedule accordingly with sufficient notice.

Answered by Advocate Supervisor Statler Kramer

Volunteer Spotlight: Kristi & Jeff Blaschke

High school sweethearts. Arkansas alumni. Accountants. Parents.

In 2016, Kristi and Jeff added CASA advocates to their titles and accomplishments.

At that time, Kristi and Jeff were balancing successful, full-time careers and three beautiful children. To an outsider, their lives probably looked complete. But, something was pulling at Jeff’s heart. He realized that not every child had the opportunity to grow up in a family like his, and he felt a real desire to give back. While the Blaschkes had considered fostering, their lives never seemed to be in a place where they could make that commitment. Having known several CASA advocates, they knew it was a great opportunity to serve this community of children in a meaningful way. It was a real benefit that they could share this experience together, as they have the rest of their lives.

It’s been five years since that journey began. While intimidated a bit at first, they have leaned on their training, their CASA supervisor, and each other to be what these children need during this difficult time. They make a great tag team. Jeff can keep the kids occupied while Kristi interviews parents. If work prevents one of them from visiting the children, the other one is there as back-up. They can divvy up calls, court reports, and staffings – just like they would for their own children’s extra-curriculars or doctors’ appointments.

It’s not always been easy. They’ve been surprised by how drawn out this process is for children and earnestly wish that these innocent kids didn’t have to face these circumstances. But, the days they’ve witnessed adoptions or heard how one of their CASA kids continues to excel in school despite her trauma…well, they know their time and energy has been worth it. And through the good and bad, they are there for each other.

We are indebted to the Blaschkes for their years of impact. If you too feel called to serve, we strongly encourage you to join us for a CASA 101 info session. See the upcoming dates and times here.

Asked & Answered: What is a CASA volunteer’s role in family finding?

Arkansas law is clear that the preferred placement for a child in foster care is with relatives. Studies show that children who are placed with family (instead of traditional foster homes) are more likely to be placed with siblings and achieve better outcomes overall.

To assist with family relationships and placement, the law states that CASA volunteers should provide the court with information about a child’s adult relatives including recommendations for relative placement and visitation.

Before they can share this information with the judge, our volunteers must first execute the very important work of identifying and contacting relatives and fictive kin of children in care to determine their willingness to be involved in the case. Utilizing a variety of search methods from file mining to scouring social media platforms and public records, as well as interviewing currently known relatives, advocates will begin to flesh out the family tree and make important connections for their CASA child. Beyond placement opportunities, simply being connected to one’s family can provide a child in foster care with a critical sense of identity.

In order to fulfill our duties to the court and build a network of supportive and caring adults for the children we serve, we provide regular training to our volunteers, new and seasoned, in family finding methods and techniques.

Answered by Training Manager Ryan Brashears