CASA for Kids: 'Angela'

CASA CASE OF THE WEEK: “Angela”

A CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer is needed to serve as an advocate for 7-year-old “Angela.”

Angela was taken into custody by the Department of Child Safety (DCS) after her mother’s arrest for driving under the influence of illegal substances. At the time of the incident, Angela was in the car with her mother. Angela’s mother was pulled over for speeding and it was discovered that she was impaired. The police arrested Angela’s mother and DCS was called to the scene. The DCS investigation revealed that this was not the first time Angela’s mother had been arrested for DUI. Angela’s mother denied that she was impaired and did not understand why DCS was contacted. The current circumstances have left Angela in the care of her maternal aunt who is able and willing to ensure that Angela is safe.

Among the CASA volunteer’s responsibilities:

Monitoring Angela’s progress in his current placement; working with his DCS case manager and any service providers to ensure that she receives the appropriate services, such as educational and medical care; and making recommendations to the court about a permanent outcome for her.

Are you willing to give approximately 15 to 20 hours per month to advocate for an abused or neglected child in our community?

Are you detail-oriented and organized? Do you have time to review documents, attend meetings, and write a quarterly report based on the information you’ve received?

No experience is necessary, and comprehensive training is provided at no cost to the volunteer advocate. Once certification and training are complete, CASA volunteers spend time learning about the child and their needs, gather information about the child’s circumstances, advocate for services for the child, and provide information to the court about what is in the child’s best interest.

If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer and making a difference in the life of an abused or neglected child, please contact the CASA office at 928-771-3165.

EDITOR’S NOTE — The child’s name has been changed to protect the identities of those involved, and this child is not eligible for adoption at this time.