This is OUR future..

Court Appointed Special Advocates

By Kimberly A. Rabb

MISSIONThe Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Camden County is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) agency committed to advocating for the best interests of children in out-of-home placement under the jurisdiction of the NJ Family Court.

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

The CASA program is a resource to the courts for determining the best interests of any child less than 21 years of age who has been removed from his or her home due to abuse and neglect complaints filed prior to their 18th birthday.CASA volunteers are well-trained and thoroughly investigated advocates with goals to provide children, who are or will become, entangled in the juvenile justice and foster care systems because they are victims of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The volunteers are ordinary people who come from all backgrounds with or without legal expertise.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURESCASA of Camden County provides trained volunteers to ensure that services and assistance are made available to children in placement while helping to move them as quickly as possible toward safe and permanent homes.Prospective volunteers are recruited, screened, and trained by CASA Affiliates. The goal is to present a CASA volunteer to every child in out-of-home placement throughout the state of New Jersey.CASA volunteers help meet the Adoption and Safe Families Act deadlines, move the case forward more rapidly toward permanency, and ensure services are efficient and effective for the best interest of the child.In addition to orientation to the court, communication and interviewing skills, problem solving skills, and cultural diversity; training includes, but is not limited to, Family Court organization and operations, Child Placement Review, state and federal laws and regulations, Division of Child Protection and Permanency programs, family preservation, foster care, residential placement, group care, child abuse and neglect, termination of parental rights, record and field research, monitoring, child development, education system services, reports, objectivity, cultural awareness, mental health, confidentiality, personal safety, substance abuse, and the roles and responsibilities of a CASA volunteer (CASA Program Standards, 2013).

CASA Affiliates are an important part of the overall process of checks and balances with child protection services, the courts, the legal community, agencies and other parties toward achieving the goals of safety and permanency for children in out-of-home placement because of abuse or neglect (CASA Program Standards, 2013).4CommitmentVolunteers commit and dedicate 10-20 hours a month of his or her time to a child or family for at least one year. As the only undivided resource for the child, they remain assigned to the same child throughout the entire placement process that may include several moves and several changes.

ResearchVolunteers are responsible for his or her own research regarding the child's individual circumstances. They meet and interview all persons involved in the child's placement. They review all court and DCP&P files and investigate information that is missing. They locate relatives who may provide safe and permanent housing. They attend the childs regular meetings to observe relationships.

Recommendations and ReportingVolunteers propose the most appropriate permanency plan and interim services in the childs best interest. They report regularly to their CASA Affiliate case supervisor. Relevant information and recommendations are communicated in writing to the Family Courts, Child Placement Review Boards, involved attorneys, and DCP&P. Volunteers may also be asked to appear and testify in court or at Child Placement Review hearings.

Advocating Services and Expediting PlacementTo be effective, volunteers must maintain contact with the DCP&P case manager throughout the entire process. The volunteer performs ongoing services needs analyses. The CASA volunteer may recommend social services, monitor, and facilitate the delivery of these services. Volunteers may request DCP&P to conduct background checks on potential placement, monitor parental progress, and/or proceed toward permanent placement.

GOVERNANCE

The Board of Trustees is the governing body for the entire organization which includes fundraising, marketing, and overseeing all operations to accomplish CASAs mission and goals.

FUNDING*CASA receives most of its support through grants and contributions from the New Jersey Legislature, other state and federal government grants, private foundations and other organizations.

*CASA receives donations for children to buy school clothes, attend a recreational trip, or money for a holiday gift.

*The organization also receives technical support services and marketing materials from CASA of New Jersey, Inc.

According to the organizations 2012 IRS Form 990 for which I generally retrieve from GuideStar.org^^^11Relationships with Other AgenciesEffective relationships are established to create and maintain a corporative environment to best serve the needs of children.

Division of Child Protection and Permanency Family CourtChild Placement Review BoardOffice of the Public Defender and Legal AidDivision of Prevention and PartnershipsOffice of the Law GuardianChildren in Court Team LeaderChild Placement Review Coordinatorand other child serving agencies/institutions.

We must work together to best serve the needs of the children. Coordination is necessary to exchange information, identify and resolve problems, and to clarify roles and responsibilities.12STRENGTHS, TRENDS, & CHALLENGESStrengths Strong collaborations and affiliations to achieve successCompliance with the New Jersey Judiciary StandardsGeographical area provides access to a greater range of diverse volunteers, staff, and board members. Increased opportunities to raise public awareness, resource development, and long-term program sustainability.

Challenges Having an overflow of Volunteers Addressing the diverse needs of each jurisdiction Responding to the various expectations, protocols and procedures Accurately assessing and meeting increased administrative and program costsTracking data and finances for multiple sites. Raising funds and producing events in a large geographic area. Factoring in time and money for increased staff and volunteer travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES & OPPORTUNITIESCommunity volunteers are the childs voice within the welfare system. Trained and supervised interns and volunteers ensure needed services are available to the children while they transition to a safe, permanent, and loving home.Under the supervision of an Advocate Supervisor, assigned tasks include, but are not limited to:Administration duties

Assisting advocate supervisor with volunteer recruitment, training, budget, fundraising, and supervision

Attend court hearings and Board Meetings with Advocate Supervisor whenever possibleAssist in outreach activities

Help prepare promotional and recruitment materials

Assist with database and donor base data entry

Participation in CASA trainings

Community volunteers are the childs voice within the welfare system. Trained and supervised interns and volunteers ensure that needed services and assistance are available to the clients while they are transitioning toward safe and permanent homes.14References

CASA. (2013). Court Appointed Special Advocates Program Standards. Retrieved from http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/directive/2013/dir_5_13.pdf CASA. (2013). Organization information. Retrieved from http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/32-0067502/court-appointed-special-advocates-camden-county.aspxCASA. (November, 2005). Strengths and challenges for CASA/GAL programs. Retrieved from http://nc.casaforchildren.org/files/public/community/programs/ProgramResources/CASA_Programs_Serving_Multiple_Counties_Jurisdictions.pdfGuideStar USA, Inc. (2013). Court Appoint Special Advocates of New Jersey, Inc. Financial Statements. Retrieved from http://www.guidestar.org/organizations/22-3679194/court-appointed-special-advocates-new-jersey.aspx