A year ago May, I was sworn in as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). In June of 2019, I received my first abuse and neglect case so this is my first CASA anniversary. That case is still active and may be for several more months. This extraordinary experience has given me the first chance to have an impact on the lives of young people, besides my grandchildren, since retiring from full time teaching in 2015.
The CASA program has always been on my volunteer work radar. Any news report of abuse and neglect of young people over the years has always shaken me up. One in particular was the case of Douglas and Leah Dyer that occurred in 2013.
Their daughter, 7-years-old and weighing just 37 pounds, couldn’t walk or talk when she was found “living” at home. One headline read, “‘Basically torture‘: Child abuse case causes outrage.” I still drive by that home a couple of times a month and that case still haunts me. That little girl touched my heart and soul. In 2016, a childrenshealthcare.org newsletter reported she was “walking, attending special education classes, and starting to speak in sentences through an electronic communication device.” But “she will require a lifetime of specialized care.” Her parents were found guilty of child abuse and sentenced to 15 years in 2017.
This week while researching the Dyer case, I discovered that the original caseworker in the case was also the original caseworker on my case. She is a dedicated professional who represented these cases with grace and genuine care for the young people affected by the abuse. The staff in the CASA office, which trained me, supports and guides me along the way. They are committed to being a voice for these young people. I have never worked with a more professional and caring group of individuals.
So what do I do as a CASA? The Larimer County brochure says, “We are a voice in court for abused and neglected children and a safe place in the community for conflict-free interactions.” But in reality I play, sing, skip, read books, run, listen, smile a lot, stroll, write reports to caseworkers, attorneys and the judge, talk with foster parents, research, find resources, attend meetings and court, advocate, advocate, and advocate. It takes dedication but I look forward to seeing my CASA kids every week and report how they are progressing. It is very rewarding “work.”
If you want to know how you can become a CASA volunteer, a Friend of CASA, or support CASA monetarily, check out the National CASA website. In Larimer County go to casalarimer.com.