Last night I began training for a program called CASA. For those unfamiliar with it, CASA stands for court appointed special advocate. Volunteers are trained and appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of the child(ren) in abuse and neglect cases.
One of the most daunting statistics we learned last night is the sheer number of cases. There are too many cases in too many counties to give each one a volunteer. They just do not have enough to go around. While the children will have counsel to represent their interests, the system is overloaded. Social workers have 30-80 cases each. In a given month, they may be able to spend only two hours on a single case. They need the assistance to help find the best solutions for children that may otherwise slip through the cracks.
My social work studies are what brought me to know about this program. I know none of us really has "spare" time. But if you think you would like to make a difference I am going to link CASA's website on my sidebar.
My children drive me nuts, but at the end of the day I want them to know they are loved. I don't ever foresee my own children will experience anything close to the experiences of the children I will meet. But I would like to think that if they were in those circumstances there would be someone looking out for them.
Night all.
Heather
5 years ago
2 comments:
Thank you, Heather! You are going to make so many people's lives so much better.
Of course, you already are.
What a wonderful program! You'll be great at it, too.
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