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I am also a CASA in Oregon. I've been with the program for seven years. I have a family and a job. My free time (such as it is) goes to CASA, because I have seen the difference a CASA can make to a child's quality of life.  

There are far fewer CASAs than there are children who need them. As a result, CASAs tend to inherit cases when they become contentious or when they appear to be headed toward termination/adoption. It is entirely possible that the reunification statistics Mr. Wexler quotes are more affected by the types of cases CASAs are assigned than the presence of a CASA.

I've had three cases. I hoped for reunification in two of them, but in each the parents did not complete services required by their service agreements. Is the outcome (relinquishment or termination), therefore, related to or caused by the presence of the CASA? Clearly not.

CASAs don't decide the outcomes of cases. We observe and report. We attend school and treatment meetings and stay in touch with providers. We track services and medical care, and do our best to make sure the children are safe. Our greatest impact on a case often occurs outside of court, in following all the pieces of a child's daily life. We help to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Thus, the impact of our work may not be immediately visible from the court records or statistics, as Ms. Quiding's comments illustrate.

In response to the earlier commenter who recommended respite as a means of helping kids -- thank you for what you're doing. There's definitely a need for quality respite care. Foster parents generally pay for respite out of their rates, so it isn't a case of anyone "getting out of their responsibilities" or getting a free ride. In order to preserve foster placements (thus reducing the number of times a child may be moved), the families sometimes need a break. If you can provide such a break, you'll be doing a child a great service.

posted 2 years, 1 month ago
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