County in need of special advocates for abused, neglected children

Working with children involved in dangerous home situations can be one of the most difficult jobs a person can have, and Kristin Bishay knows this firsthand. 

“We deal with very serious stuff,” she said. “We deal with sexual abuse, physical abuse. You can’t let your emotions get the best of you because this stuff is really heart-wrenching.”

Bishay is the director of Court Appointed Special Advocates, a group that speaks for children and their rights in court proceedings regarding abuse and neglect, and says they are desperately understaffed.

“Over 25 kids are waiting for CASAs right now,” Bishay said. “Every CHINS (children in need of services) is required to have a CASA. ... They will wait indefinitely until we train more CASAs.”

The Monroe County CASA program provides advocacy services to child victims of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect, according to its Web site. It is a program of the Family Service Association, which is an agency of United Way, said volunteer coordinator Catherine Earle. Every CASA has undergone a six-week training program of 36 total hours. They must be at least 21 years old and able to commit to 10 to 15 hours per month for a minimum of one year.

“They’re lay persons from the community; they’re not lawyers,” Bishay said, although lawyers can become CASAs. “They’re just people with common sense who have been trained to ask the right questions.”
The CASA’s job is to spend time with the child or children and interview everyone in the child’s life, from friends and relatives to teachers, to get a full perspective of the child’s situation. They listen to what the child wants, determine what is in the child’s best interest and report to the judge in the case.

“Almost every child wants to go home; that’s their comfort zone,” Bishay said. “Every child’s afraid of the unknown.”

Parents and the Department of Child Services, both of which are represented by lawyers, are also involved in the program. Each presents their arguments to the judge, who then makes a ruling on placement for the minor(s).

“It’s very fulfilling volunteer work,” said senior Leah Richey, who has been a CASA since October. “You’re actually able to impact a life that needs advocating or stood up for.”

A CASA’s ultimate goal is to return children to safe homes with their biological parents, Bishay said.

“Parents can get better ... redemption is possible,” she said, estimating that 80 percent of their cases are drug-related. “It’s not our focus to go in and make sure that kid never goes home.”

The Department of Child Services tries to assign caseworkers to every child as well, but Bishay said it’s an uphill battle.

“They do what they can,” she said, “but they just don’t have the resources in terms of manpower to devote to each individual child.”
People who don’t meet the age requirement or simply can’t commit the necessary time can help out in other ways. Kappa Alpha Theta adopted CASA as its national philanthropy in 1989.

“They do fundraising for us,” Bishay said. “We can take volunteers to come help in the office.”

For those interested in becoming a CASA, a new training cycle begins in October and applications are due by Friday.

“The children are on their own once they’re in the system,” said Barb Randall, a CASA with almost 20 years’ experience. “Nobody represents the children unless a CASA’s on the case.”