CASA volunteer!

[sarahr]

So I was just accepted into the CASA program, which is basically like a guardian ad litem -- we represent/work with kids in foster care to make recommendations to the judge and other people who work with them (schools, etc.). I'll know more after training.

But for now, any words of wisdom or advice, if you've worked with a CASA or GAL before?

[illinoisgranny]

I don't have any advice, but I do send encouragement and I'm glad you stepped up to the plate to help children who need someone who will speak for them! I wish we had CASA in our county.

[Sfcmama]

Congrats and thank you!!!
I'm a social worker/family therapist in the foster care system and have seen CASAs really become the glue that fills the cracks. Feel free to PM if you want ideas/info once you get to know your kid. Have fun!!!

[heatherdeg]

I've been a foster parent, adoptive parent, intervenor and CASA trainee (I had to stop because I couldn't foster and CASA simultaneously ).

The one thing I can advise is to OPEN YOUR MOUTH!!! Don't create a report based on what you think will fly: report what you believe and compromise only when told "no" by the judge. Much the way social worker can only guess at a parent's potential to succeed based on the odds, you have the same guesses when it comes to what will move a judge on any given day. So put out there what you WANT.

[marsupial-mom]

Cool. Congrats!

[Tigerchild]

Start putting strategies in place to destress (whether that's regular meditation, exercise, ect).

Pick (at least) one day a week where you commit to being fully present with your family/yourself and work up the discipline to hold yourself to that committment. (In other words, one day a week where you let go of CASA stuff.)

It is okay (and IMO essential) that you seek and strengthen your capacity to control (or at least temporarily compartmentalize) your emotions. You will not be able to save all the children. The judge will not always listen to you. You may find that you made a mistake in perception. You will have some people lash out at you in their pain and anger. You may be in a situation where everyone is pissed at you (hopefully not often). It's good to develop emotional armor and professional "face" for those hopefully rare instances. Whatever you have to say, there will probably always be one person who doesn't want to hear it.

Keep in mind that compassion while seeking clarity is messy and painful. Yet unless you're willing to truly open your eyes to all sides, you will not be serving the best interests of the child. At the same time, the suffering you will bear witness to on *all parties'* parts will make it essential to have the first three things I listed above.

I don't mean this to be a downer. You may find that doing this work is extremely invigorating and life-affirming and exciting (while at the same time feeling weird about that because of the nature of it). But as someone who survived and thrived in the social workish trenches, and saw a lot of people burn out around me, these are the strategies that allowed me to do it without burning out and still have kept my capacity and desire to do it in the future intact. I was very lucky had had a couple of strong mentors who told me a lot of things as a noob that *I* did not particularly want to hear but who made it possible for me to do an excellent job until *I* was ready to quit so I could SAHM and not because I was fried to a crisp. If you find such a mentor, move heaven and earth to maintain that relationship.

[Polliwog]

In my state the GAL is also the CASA. He or she is not usually a lawyer but an independent member of the community. My son's wasn't really involved with his case but he didn't really need to be. He was, however, very involved in Chris's sister's case. As a psychologist he was able to work with the social worker and the therapists to get evaluations and therapy in place.

I LOVED my STBAD's GAL. Loved her. She was a retired woman who was also a senior cheerleader. Once she came here right after a competition and was still in her cheerleading uniform (with a prize medal around her neck.) LOL. Polliwog was still a baby/toddler at the time so she used to come to our house once a month and sit and play with her (or watch her and my son play together. She gave her reports in court but really didn't need to do anything more since the case didn't warrant it.

[sweetest]

Congrats! I have been in court when it is the CASA's opinion that changed the course of the case. Judges know how overworked attorneys and social workers are, so the voice of someone who really knows the child is invaluable.

[SimplyRochelle]

Congrats!!! I became a CASA in May of last year and have loved every bit of it. I've learned a ton which will really help me as a foster parent in the future and I got to meet and grow to love some incredible girls. I'm sure we've established a life-long friendship.

My advice is to see your kid as much as possible. I know things can change very quickly and the more you talk to them, the more comfortable they will become, and the more they will tell you!

Good luck!