Print Version
Email this story
Comment
A voice for the voiceless
 |
| H&N photo by Todd E. Swenson Court Appointed Special Advocates for children of Klamath County executive director Sandy Berger, left, and volunteer coordinator Lana Dingman represent children in the custody of the state in court proceedings. |
Child advocates work for children in custody of the state
By MEGAN DOYLE
H&N Staff Writer
Carol Arnold has looked out for the interests of a boy in permanent foster care for nine years.
And, the court appointed special advocate says she will continue to do so until the child — now a teenager — is an adult and out of foster care.
Arnold is one of 25 child advocate volunteers working with 95 children in foster care in Klamath County, but there are many more children who could use an advocate for court proceedings, said Sandy Berger, CASA coordinator.
In many cases, children have been taken out of their homes because of domestic violence or physical or sexual abuse. On average, there are about 200 children in foster care in Klamath County.
Arnold worked with several children during her eight years as a court appointed special advocate — known as a CASA — before taking a job with Klamath Defenders and quitting most of her CASA volunteering because of a conflict of interest with her new job.
But she refused to abandon her work with the teenager in permanent foster care.
“Sometimes with kids, a CASA, in my experience, will be the only person consistent with them for any period of time,” Arnold said.
Berger’s job is to recruit and match CASA volunteers with foster children whose cases are in the court system. A judge often will request an advocate for a child.
As advocates, volunteers meet with the children, their foster parents, birth parents, caseworkers, teachers and counselors to talk about how the child is doing.
“Our volunteers are gathering as much information as they can about the child,” Berger said.
And they use that information in court.
“You have to step back and be an observer of everybody and not be judgmental of them,” Arnold said.
As a CASA, Arnold goes to court hearings and reports and makes recommendations to judges about the child.
“We really support the program,” said Klamath County Circuit Court Judge Cameron Wogan, adding that the child advocates give proceedings a different perspective.
“They don’t really have an agenda other than what’s best for the child,” he said.
Arnold agreed, noting part of her job is to keep the process moving.
“I think it goes a lot smoother with a CASA on the case,” she said. “It’s just the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Before being appointed as a CASA, volunteers must receive training, which comes from attorneys, law enforcement, child experts, judges and state officials with the Department of Human Services.
Arnold enjoys getting to know and understand the children she advocates for, and works to get them to trust her.
CASA volunteers visit with their children they advocate for at least once a month, sometimes more often. They also continue contact with people involved in the foster child’s life until the situation is resolved.
“After a child is in permanent care, you want to get out of their life,” Arnold said.
That is when a child is in a stable situation and no longer needs a CASA, and maintaining contact may remind them of unstable times, she said.
Arnold advocated for two brothers who were later adopted.
After his adoption, the older brother wrote to her saying that he must be in heaven because he has clothes in the closet and they’re clean.
“That was a big deal for him,” Arnold said.
And, the court appointed special advocate says she will continue to do so until the child — now a teenager — is an adult and out of foster care.
Arnold is one of 25 child advocate volunteers working with 95 children in foster care in Klamath County, but there are many more children who could use an advocate for court proceedings, said Sandy Berger, CASA coordinator.
In many cases, children have been taken out of their homes because of domestic violence or physical or sexual abuse. On average, there are about 200 children in foster care in Klamath County.
Arnold worked with several children during her eight years as a court appointed special advocate — known as a CASA — before taking a job with Klamath Defenders and quitting most of her CASA volunteering because of a conflict of interest with her new job.
But she refused to abandon her work with the teenager in permanent foster care.
“Sometimes with kids, a CASA, in my experience, will be the only person consistent with them for any period of time,” Arnold said.
Requesting advocates
Berger’s job is to recruit and match CASA volunteers with foster children whose cases are in the court system. A judge often will request an advocate for a child.
As advocates, volunteers meet with the children, their foster parents, birth parents, caseworkers, teachers and counselors to talk about how the child is doing.
“Our volunteers are gathering as much information as they can about the child,” Berger said.
And they use that information in court.
“You have to step back and be an observer of everybody and not be judgmental of them,” Arnold said.
As a CASA, Arnold goes to court hearings and reports and makes recommendations to judges about the child.
“We really support the program,” said Klamath County Circuit Court Judge Cameron Wogan, adding that the child advocates give proceedings a different perspective.
“They don’t really have an agenda other than what’s best for the child,” he said.
Arnold agreed, noting part of her job is to keep the process moving.
“I think it goes a lot smoother with a CASA on the case,” she said. “It’s just the best thing I’ve ever done.”
Volunteers trained
Before being appointed as a CASA, volunteers must receive training, which comes from attorneys, law enforcement, child experts, judges and state officials with the Department of Human Services.
Arnold enjoys getting to know and understand the children she advocates for, and works to get them to trust her.
CASA volunteers visit with their children they advocate for at least once a month, sometimes more often. They also continue contact with people involved in the foster child’s life until the situation is resolved.
“After a child is in permanent care, you want to get out of their life,” Arnold said.
That is when a child is in a stable situation and no longer needs a CASA, and maintaining contact may remind them of unstable times, she said.
Arnold advocated for two brothers who were later adopted.
After his adoption, the older brother wrote to her saying that he must be in heaven because he has clothes in the closet and they’re clean.
“That was a big deal for him,” Arnold said.
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of HeraldAndNews.com. Comment Disclaimer: The editors of heraldandnews.com reserve the right to refuse publication of any comment posted for consideration. We may refuse for any reason, including use of profanity, disparaging comments, libelous comments, etc. Any reader who notices a comment they believe is particularly offensive, should notify us at webmaster@heraldandnews.com.
RSS
Jennifer M. wrote on Apr 15, 2008 9:49 AM: