By Dominique McIndoe
Casa, the Spanish word for home, is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocates Children’s Intervention Services. The Manassas-based nonprofit has worked since 1994 to empower abused and neglected children of all ages and help them find safe, lasting, loving homes and thrive.
CASA CIS
In our imperfect world, children are among the most likely victims of abuse, neglect, and violence. According to CASA CIS, over 1,700 children are abused or neglected in some way every day in the United States. This is by no means exhaustive given the number of crimes against children that are not reported. There were 33,380 abuse reports in Virginia in 2020 and nearly 5,000 children remained in foster care by the end of the year.
The numbers are alarming, but the encouraging news is that statistics also show that children who experience trauma do better when they have a reliable, stable adult in their life. CASA CIS is trying to close the gap here. They serve children in need in Fauquier, Prince William, Rappahannock, and Warren Counties, as well as in the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
“Every child we care has experienced trauma from a trusted caregiver, and the trauma often continues when they are dragged into a house with strangers, lose contact with family members, and often change schools. It’s heartbreaking. Our passion is to provide every child with an advocate who stands by them and is their voice, ”says Lori Battistoni, Executive Director of CASA CIS since March 2021. “Children who have CASA attorneys are better in many ways. They are far more likely to find a safe, permanent home, and half as likely to be re-accepted into foster care. You get better performance and better performance in school. They are more likely to graduate and be successful adults. “
Since its inception, CASA CIS has helped at least 200 children annually and has helped at least 5,000 children over the past three decades. The elixir of life of the organization is the role of the CASA’s volunteer advocate.
The CASA Volunteer Advocate, a voice for the voiceless
When CASA CIS receives a case from the local courts, they assign a volunteer to each child. This means that the highly qualified volunteer, an independent court attorney, provides the judge with in-depth research and background information on the child – for example from teachers, counselors, educators and therapists – explain the child’s situation and help the court find the best To make a decision about the child’s living situation.
“We begin by examining and speaking to different parties in the child’s life,” says Stephanie Swift, a volunteer attorney who has worked for CASA for well over 16 years, during which time she has helped nearly 30 children. “Our job is to be a really good listener and observer of the child and his life month after month … We want to offer this security and stability.”
The CASA volunteer lawyer does not replace the social worker, the lawyer or the judge, nor does he take on legal representation. They provide vital information that lawyers can use when presenting cases in court. CASA states: “Volunteers do not represent a child’s will in court. Rather, they speak in the best interests of the child. “
CASA volunteers not only provide a voice for vulnerable children, most of whom cannot speak for themselves, but also ensure consistency and continuity for every child they help. They make real connections with the children and their families, staying with the cases as long as possible until the case is resolved or the children are in a permanent, safe home.
Volunteers come from many different backgrounds and undergo rigorous 30-hour training that immerses them in a thorough understanding of legal process, child advocacy techniques, and the intricacies of early childhood development, adolescent behavior, and the circumstances surrounding child sexual abuse.
“The most rewarding part is giving back to the community and being the voice for children, the little people in society, by helping them grow into healthy and fully functional adults in the future,” said Swift.
Being a CASA advocate is not without its challenges, admits Swift.
“It’s hard to see the fight,” says Swift. “It’s frustrating when, for example, you don’t see any progress with the parents or when things are not being corrected with the child. But you never stop encouraging and promoting so that progress can be made. “
Evenings under the stars
An earlier evening under the stars
Battistoni gives recognition to the funders of CASA CIS – the support system for federal grants, donors, fundraising, corporate gifts and community donations – without which the operation would no longer exist. Notable community partners include Alliant Wealth Advisors, Bion, Inc., Josie Geiger, Kenneth & Sharree Ryder, Leidos, Ennis Electric, MEP Partners, SERVPRO Industries, ESI, Progeny Systems, the Breeden Foundation, the Neall Family Charitable Trust, and The Giving Circle of Heritage Hunt, among others.
CASA’s annual Evening Under the Stars gala is also a major source of funding for the organization. The 2021 event will take place on September 11th at 6 p.m. at Foxchase Manor in Manassas. This year’s fundraiser is particularly exciting as the 2020 event was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Last year has been a fundraising challenge for CASA,” says Battistoni. “Our community partners really made themselves strong at the virtual events. Without them it would have been difficult. “
Future stepping stones
In 2021 and beyond, CASA CIS aims to recruit more volunteers who share common cultures with the children or identify with them in some way. More bilingual and African American advocates could provide better belonging and, therefore, better services to children and their families. However, volunteers of all ethnic and educational backgrounds are welcome. No special or legal background is required.
Preliminary studies show that children assigned to CASA volunteers tend to spend less time in court and less time in the care system than children without a CASA representative. Judges have also observed that CASA children have better chances of finding permanent homes than non-CASA children. Battistoni and Swift have seen for themselves the remarkable changes, positive results, and the glimmer of a better future for children that CASA CIS offers.
“There are children who are very vulnerable and scared and who need a voice – a reliable adult who will protect them and stand up for what they need,” explains Battistoni. “They are in our community, they are places you would not expect … Our goal is to be there for them, to listen to them and to look for their best interests.”
“Anyone can do something to help abused children in the community,” says Swift. “Visit the CASA events, donate, advocate. We could and should take some time to think about how we can take better care of each other. “
To donate to CASA CIS, visit casacis.org. To become a volunteer advocate, contact the organization’s Child Advocacy Associate, JoAnn Poland, at jpolen@casacis.org.
Dominique McIndoe (mcindoe@princewilliamliving.com) is Assistant Production Editor at Rowman & Littlefield and a longtime author.