Getting to Know a CASA Employee

Steve is my Advocacy Coordinator. He has helped me so much throughout the semester with my case and also reminded me of the importance of my volunteer work. Steve has been with CASA as an Advocacy Coordinator for over 4 years. He oversees 30-35 volunteers like me who investigate dependency and neglect cases at Juvenile Court. His main task in guiding us is to make sure that we complete in-depth investigations and write unbiased court reports. Steve has personally investigated over 200 dependency and neglect cases and supervised over 400 cases that were investigated by volunteers.

Earlier I wrote on what I perceived the culture at CASA to be like. Steve described CASA as having a very open and professional working environment. The workers are helpful, caring, and compassionate- all dedicated to finding permanency for each child. Steve said he interacts daily with his co-workers.

I asked Steve what he likes most about his job and what he finds most rewarding. He said he likes helping children and that’s why he does what he does. This is very important but difficult work. Steve described his work as very stressful and disheartening at times due to the nature of the job and seeing abused and neglected children on a daily basis. Many times in a dependency and neglect case it appears that no good placement is available, only the lesser of two evils. When he is successful finding a child a safe and permanent home, it is very rewarding for him to know he did a good job and the child can sleep safely at night.

I also asked Steve what he likes least about being a CASA Advocacy Coordinator. He said it is very frustrating at times due to the inefficiency of the system. At times it seems as if he is only putting Band-Aids on gaping wounds. Many families and kids need services such as mental health assessments, family counseling, and tutoring- these are often not provided even after giving the recommendation. Therefore, Steve said he knows he can do more if his hands are not tied by the inefficiency of the system.

Acquiring cases for CASA is somewhat unique. Steve explained how certain cases are assigned to CASA volunteers. A Magistrate at Juvenile Court refers dependency and neglect cases. If the Magistrate feels a dependency and neglect case warrants a CASA, then he gets the Staff Officer to refer the case to CASA. Once CASA gets the referral from Juvenile Court, they find a volunteer for the case and then type up an Appointment of Special Advocate to be signed by the Judge. Once the Appointment of Special Advocate is signed, Steve or another CASA Advocacy Coordinator appoints the case to a CASA volunteer. Sometimes they get foster care referrals from the Foster Care Review Board at Juvenile Court. Also, the Department of Children’s Services will refer an out of state home study to CASA due to the fact that they can’t cross state lines. Just last week I performed a home study in Memphis for a CASA office in Mississippi.

After talking with Steve in depth about CASA and his experience thus far, I definitely have a better understanding of the culture and the benefits and frustrations of CASA Advocacy Coordinators.