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Voices for children: CASA seeks volunteers in New Madrid, Pemiscot counties
NEW MADRID, Mo. - Bethany Fowler Dilts has witnessed the difference a Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA, can make in the life of a child.
Dilts recalls the young teen who was taken out of her home due to allegations of sexual abuse and placed in a foster home. Things were moving along through the court, the parents’ rights were terminated and the foster parents were seeking to adopt the girl.
It looked like a happy ending ahead, except the CASA volunteer realized the teen was very unhappy in that home.
“The CASA worker spoke up and said, ‘whoa,’” Dilts said. “The CASA told the teen there are other homes out there, maybe we should find a better fit for you.”
The case workers disagreed with the CASA. The guardian ad litem wanted the case closed. However, the judge realized the CASA was doing exactly what they were suppose to do - representing the best interests of the child.
“It was just really tough situation because the case worker and the case worker’s supervisor just wanted to close the case. They had a child in a safe home where she could be adopted. She would have been OK,” recalled Dilts. “The CASA said OK is not good enough. We want happy, we want thriving, we want success.”
In fact, there was success. A new home was found for the teen, who eventually was adopted by her foster parents. Dilts said she still keeps in touch with the young woman, who today is attending dental school.
Now Dilts is working to bring the CASA program to the 34th Judicial District, which includes New Madrid and Pemiscot counties.
The program was first suggested several years ago to Pemiscot County Associate Circuit Judge W. Keith Currie. Currie said they were looking for a way to lower the number of children coming into care and increasing the number of children exiting care either by returning them to their parents or through adoption.
In 2019, the Pemiscot County Child Welfare Partnership was formed. CASA was a priority for the Partnership.
Currie said the Partnership got off to a roaring start then, like so many other things, came to a sudden stop with the onset of COVID. However when the courts reopened, the Partnership rebooted as well.
“I’m so excited we have the Partnership. It is a great way for us to get input. For those not actively involved in the system it has shed some light for them on what is a critical issue,” he said.
Now in his 20th year as a judge in Pemiscot County, Currie said his monthly abuse and neglect docket ranges from a minimum of 40 cases to a maximum of 80 to 90. He points out the number of cases have actually dropped and with the addition of CASA in the 34th Judicial Circuit he believes they could go even lower.
“Obviously as we get the program started the critical aspect is the need for CASA volunteers who will advocate for these children in care. We are actively looking for people in the circuit to volunteer. The program is never going to work unless we have people volunteer,” he emphasized.
Among the first to volunteer was Tonya Vannasdall, who is with the New Madrid Human Resources Community Partnership which includes the New Madrid County Resource Center. Vannasdall volunteered the Resource Center, a nonprofit organization, to oversee CASA for the Partnership.
As the courts reopened in 2021, the work began again to bring CASA into the circuit. Dilts, who had moved back to New Madrid, was hired as the director. She and Vannasdall recently completed their CASA training and are the first volunteers sworn in for the local program.
Now they are looking for more people to join them.
Dilts said anyone age 21 or older can be a CASA volunteer.
“They need to be people who love children, people who want what is best for children,” she said. “They could be a retired teacher, maybe a retired social worker, maybe a construction worker but as long as they love children, can commit their time to the volunteer work and can speak up on behalf of the children, they can be a CASA.”
Each volunteer is screened and receives more than 30 hours of training. They learn about the child welfare system, how the court works and how to advocate for a child without bias.
Once sworn in as a CASA, Dilts said volunteers continue to receive ongoing support as they advocate on a child’s behalf. Also an additional 12 hours of training is provided annually, keeping the volunteers up-to-date.
Once a volunteer is ready to serve, Dilts explained she will work with the local judges who have requested a CASA for a child. She will try to match the child and the volunteer based on the child’s needs and the volunteer’s preferences.
“Some volunteers may prefer older kids. Some may want to work with younger kids. We can’t guarantee we can perfectly match them but we will certainly try,” Dilts said.
Then the child’s file is turned over to the CASA, who will visit with the child and other people pertinent to the case. The CASA will offer recommendations to help the case move forward.
“We want this person, this volunteer advocate to be completely unbiased and get a good picture of the way the child functions, what the child needs and how the family works and try to figure out what the best situation for the child would be,” she said.
According to Dilts, studies have shown the cases with CASA involved get through the system quicker.
While Dilts emphasized each case is different, she estimated volunteering as a CASA would require about eight to 10 hours a month. Volunteers are expected to be in contact with the child at least once a month.
The goal is once a CASA volunteer is assigned a child, they remain with the child until the case closes out of juvenile court. Once a case is closed, then the volunteer would wait for the next assignment.
Dilts and Vannasdall said they would like to have at least 15 CASA volunteers this year.
“We just want to grow, grow, grow,” said Dilts. “We would love to have 50 volunteers eventually. It will take some time for that but it is not unrealistic considering the size of our counties and the hearts of the people in our counties. I know we have great people around here. I know we have people who love children and want what is best for children. We have to find those people and get them involved.”
They are looking for support for the CASA program as well.
There are some funds available through Missouri CASA and the national program. As a 501 C3, Vannasdall said the Resource Center will seek additional funding through state departments and through grants. Also they will speak to individuals and businesses about supporting CASA.
Dilts is determined to make the program a reality for Pemiscot and New Madrid counties.
“I have seen some amazing outcomes based on the work from a CASA volunteer and by the CASA program. Having this program based in the county would be really beneficial to the children who are in care or in the Children’s Division custody. I think it will really help children get to permanency sooner whether that will be reunifying with their natural parents and those parents getting the resources they need to improve their lives so that they can be better parents or getting the children somewhere else where they have a permanent thriving childhood.”
Dilts encourages anyone with questions, suggestions or who would like to volunteer to contact her by email at casa@nmcfamilyresourcecenter.com or call/text her at 573-521-6087.