Greensburg —
Decatur Circuit Court Judge John A. Westhafer is calling for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers throughout the community.
A shortage of such volunteers was recently brought to the attention of the Daily News via a letter to the editor from Judge Westhafer earlier this week. In that letter, the Judge noted that more than 45 children in Decatur County are currently without a court appointed advocate.
"These individuals (CASA volunteers) are the only parties to these cases whose only mandate is to represent the best interest of the child, and without them that child's voice could go unheard."
Judge Westhafer's sentiments were echoed by Advocates for Children community outreach coordinator Rick Scalf Thursday afternoon. Based in Bartholomew County, Advocates for Children services youth in the Columbus area in addition to Decatur and Jennings County. The organization selects volunteers who serve as a de-facto voice for children experiencing the unprecedented tumult of being removed from their homes via the court system. All of the children have faced abuse or neglect at that hands of their caregivers.
Scalf stated that "having a passion for standing up for kids" is a necessary quality for a CASA volunteer to possess. The applicant should also strive for "a commitment to seeing our children are looked after, protected and taken care of," Scalf said. CASA volunteers bear the responsibility of speaking on behalf of a child in court, and those individuals should bear in mind both the importance of such a responsibility as well as being aware of the implications his or actions will have on a child.
Children who have such representation in court, says Scalf, tend to see positive results in adoption rates, spend less time in foster care, perform well in school and function better in society as a whole than children without representation.
Becoming a CASA volunteer is free of charge, requiring only time and commitment on his or her behalf.
Scalf explained the process during a phone interview with the Daily News.
The community outreach coordinator noted that those interested in becoming a CASA volunteer will sit through an interview process that ensures the candidate and the task at hand are a suitable match for one another.
"We talk and make sure it's a good process for them (the applicant)," said Scalf.
An "intensive, up-front training session" follows which requires approximately 30 training hours over a six week period.
After this, the CASA volunteer becomes official when he or she is sworn in by a judge. The CASA is then appointed a child by the court system. Rick Scalf's office works directly with the volunteers throughout the process.
Scalf explained that a CASA volunteer will interact with their assigned child's parents, teachers and other adult influences. He or she will strive to represent the child's best interests in court.
A positive side effect of the process, explained Scalf, is how the program provides "tremendous savings on the community as a whole." Scalf mentioned that the CASA program saved the community approximately $500,000 in the last year. The Advocates for Children community outreach coordinator noted that fiscal savings are distantly secondary in importance to providing for the needs of area children. The welfare of a child, he explained, is the most pressing issue of the program.
Decatur County is especially in need of volunteers for those children.
"At present, only eight CASA volunteers are active in Decatur County, and together they are serving 27 children," Rick Scalf said through an email. "There is a real need for volunteers in this community," he said.
Judge Westhafer's original letter notes that Advocates for Children can be reached on the web at www.apowerfulvoice.org or by phone at (877) 604-9402.
Contact: Brent Brown 812-663-3111 x7056
News
Court seeks child advocates
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