By Thomas J. Walsh, Attorney at Law
In my years as a practicing attorney I have served as guardian ad litem in children’s court as well as a prosecutor of termination of parental rights cases. I have had the unfortunate opportunity to witness children who regularly experience abuse and neglect at the hands of people who should be protecting them. Those situations are difficult to see because, often times you would like to simply take those children home with you and give them a good dinner, a comfortable bed and lots of love. But, of course, that is impossible.
The next best thing would be to have someone who is there exclusively for them. Someone who will see them on a regular basis. Someone who they can rely on and talk to about what is going on in their day to day life. Someone who can make a difference and help the family get going in the right direction. In many cases, that person turns out to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).
The Brown County Court Appointed Special Advocate—CASA program is made up of volunteers who are specially trained to help successfully guide children and their families through interaction with the Department of Human Services and the Court System. The CASA worker has the opportunity to experience the various aspects of Wisconsin’s Children’s Court and work directly with social workers, guardians ad litem and the court in an effort to improve the lives of children.
I have worked with children who have CASA workers as well as children who do not have such workers. There is no doubt that the children with CASA workers have a greater advantage in getting through Children’s Court. The special attention and treatment that these children get from their CASA worker makes the journey through Children’s Court easier because of the relationship they develop with their CASA volunteer.
Finally, my experience with CASA workers has taught me that the experience of working with a child and his or her family is as rewarding to the CASA worker as it is helpful to the court and the family. There is nothing like the satisfaction you feel when you know you have helped an abused or neglected child. This is a program that Brown County should be proud of and a program that benefits all who come in contact with it.