For anyone looking to make a difference.

bb_wolfe

bb_wolfe

Medicinal KFC
Jan 1, 2008
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I'm going to link a story I found on Fark today.

I want you to read it, then look at the second link. 99.9% of the folks on this board are smarter than rest of the the dumb fuckers on this planet who go through life never taking a risk, never giving more than they get. The simple fact that you spend time on this board helping those starting out is a testament to your character. I know I'm an elitist fuck most days and it's A-OK to hate my guts, I personally don't give two fucks, that's business, folk's aren't always going to love you. I'd like you to look past your view of me personally and think about what the links I'm posting represent. At the very least, they represent inaction. Inaction from neighbors, communities, and strangers.

Read the first link, then seriously consider the second.

Link 1: The girl in the window - St. Petersburg Times
Link 2: National CASA - About Us

I've been volunteering with these guys for 12 months, have had 2 cases, and can see the difference my time has made. Not everyone is like you, not everyone has that common sense you have, the one that has helped you get to this point in your life.

Read link 1, find a local CASA near you using link 2. It's only 12 hours a month and you, I guarantee, will make a difference in a kids life.

Think of how it felt last time you were dumped, were fired/downsized, were 'anything bad', that's what the kids that are in need of CASA advocates go through for weeks and months on end.
I'll give a year of unlimited domains/unlimited everything hosting to anyone who confirms they have volunteered with CASA.

Seriously, consider it. National CASA - About Us
 
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I read both links. Can you please explain in more detail what exactly CASA advocates do?
 
turbolapp said:
I read both links. Can you please explain in more detail what exactly CASA advocates do?
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Every advocate first takes a ~20 hour training. You learn things like how the court system works, what abuse and neglect is and how it affects children and parents, and what local resources are available for kids/parents who may be in need of specialized services.

From there, your case manager will likely assign/present-to-you a case that they feel you're right for. That case can be something as simple as "Mom gets drunk, leaves 5 year old at home while she went bowling, 5 year old needs something, goes to neighbors, neighbors call cops, cops take child for child's safety" to something like "mom's boyfriend raped 13 year old from the time the girl was 9, girl is now pregnant, mom knew but didn't report, girl needs special education, etc."

It's not always fun and it doesn't always turn out like in the movies, where everything is cleanly resolved and kids live happily ever after.

I've had 2 totally different cases. First case a child that was very much emotionally troubled was sent back to dad after dad got out of jail for DUI X'th. I didn't like it because dad was homeless, penniless, and a drug addict, but he was able to care for the kid so DSS let them be together. The second case the mom was a fucking disaster, had 2 kids with some guy who treated her like shit, and didn't think she did anything wrong by drinking a litre of whiskey while watching her kids.

So to answer your question, this is what a typical month for me entails.

I visit the kids once a week for an hour. I talk to the foster parents (the kids are usually in foster) about their progress, then pretty much just play with the kid. Throwing footballs, sledding (Northern winters here!) and general kid stuff. I pull data from them like how they like school, if they miss their old house, how they think of mommy, what happened, why are they there, etc., in a way that's not an interrogation, but more 2 kids (myself included) playing and talking.

I document what happened when I go home. I also visit mom/dad for 20-30 mins each week. See what they're doing, why the kids are gone, what they're doing to get the kids back, any criminal/civil cases that are going on, etc.

When a child is taken, this is what typically happens, and it varies by state:

  1. Police get call/DSS gets referral
  2. Child(ren) is taken from home and placed in group home or foster home.
  3. Parents are charged with neglect/abuse/endangerment/assault/anything that fits
  4. Parents go to court for initial hearing and judge either finds there was abuse or finds there was none.
  5. If no abuse, kids go back home. If abuse, GOTO 6.
  6. Parents are formally charged, DSS creates a list of stipulations that parents must abide by and compelte before the kids may return home. Judge expects parents to cooperate, be drug/alcohol free, not commit any crimes, potentially not be aroudn anyone under 18, etc.
This is the point where a CASA is appointed by the judge. From here, I follow the case, follow up on what mom/dad are doing regarding the stipulations, and follow up on what the kids are doing. I'm a neutral party, with no authority over anyone.

My job is to ask questions and document what's going on. My main goal is the reunification of the family, but if that can't happen, my goal must be stability and permanence for the children, be it adoption, foster, group home, or wherever's available.

I have total access to the parents' and kids' world. I have a court order that allows me access to medical records, school records, criminal records, and anything that's relevant to the case. If mom claims that she had a tooth removed on March 2, 2008, I have the court order that allows me accces to those medical records and follow up on her claim.

Why?

Because we track the progress of the case and document it. In the end (disposition of the case), we submit a report to the judge with all relevant facts relating to the case. We don't make judgements, say the parents did anything wrong, or give our personal opinions. I only tell the judge what happened and what I think should happen to the children, if they be placed with mom/dad or request the parental rights be terminated.

We're the only party to teh case that has the children's and only the children's best interest at heart. The state's attorney is concentrating on the criminality of the case and prosecution, the DSS folks are concerned with getting mom/dad back into shape to care for their kids, and the kids'/parents' lawers are concerened with getting their client through the legal process. The court appoints lawyers (or the parties pay for them) to the parents and to each child.

So far I've recommended the parent not get the child, as did DSS and the state's atty, only to have the judge disagree and give the child back to parent. The second case ended with a relative getting the children, mom not getting them, and the world was right.
 
Also:




Volunteer Commitment Top Ten List

While CASA programs vary somewhat from state to state and community to community, the following are typical duties of a court appointed special advocate or guardian ad litem volunteer:
  1. Conduct an independent investigation by reviewing all pertinent documents and records and interviewing the child, parents, social workers, foster parents, teachers, therapists, daycare providers and other relevant persons to determine the facts and circumstances of the child's situation. To do this effectively, volunteers spend considerable time getting to know children and gaining their trust.
  2. Determine the thoughts and feelings of the child about the situation, taking into account the child's age, maturity, culture and ethnicity and degree of attachment to family members, including siblings. Also to be considered are continuity, consistency and a sense of belonging and identity.
  3. Seek cooperative solutions by acting as a facilitator among conflicting parties to achieve resolution of problems and to foster positive steps toward achieving permanence for the child.
  4. Provide written reports at every hearing which include findings and recommendations. The report documents the extent of the volunteer's investigation, lists each source of information and includes sufficient facts to justify the recommendations.
  5. Appear at all hearings to advocate for the child's best interests and provide testimony when necessary.
  6. Explain the court proceedings and the role of the CASA volunteer to the child in terms the child can understand.
  7. Make recommendations for specific, appropriate services for the child and the child's family and advocate for necessary services which may not be immediately available.
  8. Monitor implementation of case plans and court orders, checking to see that court-ordered services are implemented in a timely manner and that review hearings are held in accordance with the law.
  9. Inform the court promptly of important developments including any agency's failure to provide services or the family's failure to participate. The CASA volunteer should ensure that appropriate motions are filed on behalf of the child in order that the court can be made aware of the changes in the child's circumstances and can take appropriate actions.
  10. Advocate for the child's interests in the community by bringing concerns regarding the child's health, education and mental health, etc. to the appropriate professionals to assure that the child's needs in these areas are met.
 
Well bbwolfe I am really surprised. I thought you were just a cussing drunk. I was an abused child and it's a very tough system. parents usually have more rights than the child. I've been wondering how I could help without much money. This sounds great. However, it could break your heart.

I know a social worker who quit when a little boy was given back to his mother because they had no place else for him. She had cut off his hand because she caught him masturbating. I can't remember how old he was.

I also know a story of two sisters who were sold to the neighbors for their sexual pleasure. it was unbelievable to me how many of the neighbors participated. It was a big case here in Clermont County Ohio. I know the man who adopted one of the girls, the other is permanently hospitalized and non-functioning.

You are right life doesn't always end up happily ever after. If by an elitist you mean that you think people should find a way to make the world a better place and deserve the resources they use up. HIP HIP HOORAY. You are not alone, I am a bit of an elitist that way as well.

We all need to let other people know what that can do. Too many people feel powerless or just don't want to think about it.
 
It's things like this that really help give me faith in humanity. It a world like ours we really need people to stand up and help those who need help. Volunteering with groups like this is honestly a noble thing to do and is something that truly can make a difference. It's a way to help give back to society. (Additionally, seeing what your volunteer work can do should be reward enough.)
 
ldsmedia said:
Too many people feel powerless or just don't want to think about it.
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That's pretty much right. It's easy and damn helpful when you volunteer with CASA. We need something like 100K more volunteers right now, so anyone reading that Florida story and not liking what you see, now's the time to do something about it.

I'm not joking when I say 25 kids were beaten, slapped, and/or raped in the time it took me to write the content in this post. I want you guys to honestly think about what they're feeling right now, emotionally and physically, and tell me you'll consider volunteering with your local CASA. There are 900 offices nationwide, I assure you there's one near you!

Plus, you volunteer and you get free hosting, unlimited resources, unlimited domains, for a full 12 months, how can you not beat that? Help a kid and make interwebz monies. Plus, for any of your young bucks, this sort of thing does WONDERS when you're interviewing for those upper level/big dollar jobs. Nothing shows leadership than selflessly helping abused kids.
 
ldsmedia said:
I know a social worker who quit when a little boy was given back to his mother because they had no place else for him. She had cut off his hand because she caught him masturbating. I can't remember how old he was.
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What the fuck? CUT.. OF.. HIS.. HAND?

PRISON???
 
bb_wolfe said:
That's pretty much right. It's easy and damn helpful when you volunteer with CASA. We need something like 100K more volunteers right now, so anyone reading that Florida story and not liking what you see, now's the time to do something about it.

I'm not joking when I say 25 kids were beaten, slapped, and/or raped in the time it took me to write the content in this post. I want you guys to honestly think about what they're feeling right now, emotionally and physically, and tell me you'll consider volunteering with your local CASA. There are 900 offices nationwide, I assure you there's one near you!

Plus, you volunteer and you get free hosting, unlimited resources, unlimited domains, for a full 12 months, how can you not beat that? Help a kid and make interwebz monies. Plus, for any of your young bucks, this sort of thing does WONDERS when you're interviewing for those upper level/big dollar jobs. Nothing shows leadership than selflessly helping abused kids.
Click to expand...

I'm one of the representatives for a student-created highschool alumni organization and I'll certainly be bringing this up with my brothers. The org is focused on mentorship and advice as well as general assistance, so this may just fit in. I'll see what I can do bud, and if I'm able to make a difference - take the hosting and donate it to newbies on WF that show potential; deal?
 
Bofu2U said:
I'm one of the representatives for a student-created highschool alumni organization and I'll certainly be bringing this up with my brothers. The org is focused on mentorship and advice as well as general assistance, so this may just fit in. I'll see what I can do bud, and if I'm able to make a difference - take the hosting and donate it to newbies on WF that show potential; deal?
Click to expand...

Absolutely you have a deal. Much appreciated!
 
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I think this is great what you are doing and that you posted this. I found one listing in my area and requested more information by email.

I have wanted to do some volunteer work in the past but never did. Now that I have more free time, this is a good time to start.
 
Thanks so much for the information! As for the story... Oh man, I sure hope Dani is going to be (at the least) happy in her new life. I feel bad for their son though... how he says it's scary to sleep in the laundry room... and seriously, why does he have to sleep in the laundry room? They obviously had to have a room to put the adopted girl in.... so why can't he have that room?
 
ldsmedia said:
I was an abused child and it's a very tough system. parents usually have more rights than the child. I've been wondering how I could help without much money.
Click to expand...

That is until they are about 12-13 and then CPS lets them call the shots especially if the kid figures out they can say...."I'll run away or hurt myself" CPS won't send them back to the house where there are boundaries and rules that they don't like. CPS's hands are tied because if the kid does it they are screwed. So even if they find nothing wrong at home or something that can be resolved without removing the child from the home, they can't "force" the kid to go home. Then money, resources, and time are used for that family instead of protecting the kids who are being abused, molested, neglected, etc.

The system can suck. Volunteers that are properly trained and dedicated can certainly make a difference in a system that doesn't get enough funding.

Amazing there's money and employees to enforce the no smoking laws, but no money to protect kids and truely help families or get molesters, rapists, and murders off our streets. :(
 
Signed up for information after reading your post. Just read the story in link one, now I'm *PISSED* WTF is wrong with this country? PROBATION? (waived) COMMUNITY SERVICE?
That sorry excuse for a mother should be in jail, and the family that adopted the little girl deserve a sainthood. Thanks for posting this - I'm in the middle of moving to an area where I know nobody, doing this may help fill some empty time.
 
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