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CASA program marks 30 years of advocacy for children

4/7/2011 - West Side Leader
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By Kathleen Folkerth

The CASA/GAL program in Summit County hosted a “Friendraiser” networking event Feb. 10 to raise awareness of the program. Shown above are CASA staff and volunteers with Summit County Executive Russ Pry at far right.
Photo courtesy of Beth Cardina
GREATER AKRON — During its 30-year history, thousands of abused and neglected children have been helped by hundreds of volunteers in the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program in Summit County.

“We have over 300 volunteers and in any given year serve between 900 and 1,100 kids,” said Beth Cardina, CASA program coordinator in the Summit County Juvenile Court.

The program provides volunteer advocates who speak up for abused and neglected children by providing consistent and caring support as they navigate the social service and court system.

She added that 1,000 volunteers have helped more than 20,000 children in the program’s history.

Among the local volunteers is West Akron resident Linda Butcher, who has spent 10 years with the program.

“Being a CASA volunteer is the meatiest volunteer job you will ever, ever, ever have,” said Butcher, who estimates she’s worked on cases for 46 children. “There is a great deal of time and work, but it is so meaningful. You are making a difference in the life of a child.”

CASA is a national effort that began in Seattle in 1977. Cardina said former Summit County Juvenile Court Judge William Kannel heard about the program, and on March 31, 1981, assembled the first Citizens Advisory Board to create the program here. Within three months, Kannel swore in the first volunteer guardian ad litem (GAL), which is a legal term meaning a temporary guardian for a particular suit or legal action.

Today, Cardina said Summit County’s CASA program is the largest in Ohio and the fourth largest in the country.

“Part of the success has to go to Judge Kannel and [current Juvenile Court] Judge [Linda Tucci] Teodosio,” Cardina said. “They totally support the program, as does the community.”

Cardina said while she is thankful for the number of residents who have stepped up to volunteer for CASA, there’s always a need for more.

“Our goal is to make sure every child who enters the court system has a voice,” Cardina said.

If there is no volunteer to assist in a child’s case, they will be assigned an attorney GAL, Cardina said. But studies show that children paired with volunteer CASAs reap more benefits.

“Statistics show if a CASA volunteer is involved in a child’s life, they are more likely to achieve permanency,” Cardina said.

In Summit County, there are four opportunities throughout the year to take part in CASA training. After the 40 hours of training, volunteers are sworn in and can begin working on a case.

A volunteer coordinator in the court will assign cases to CASAs. The volunteers are charged with reading over the child’s case file and making contact with those involved with the child, from birth parents and foster parents to teachers and counselors.

CASAs also connect with the children in an effort to see what they want, Cardina said.

After a period of time, the CASA can make a recommendation based on what is best for the child, such as being returned to their home or placed permanently with a relative or adoptive family.

The task is quite a responsibility, Cardina said.

“It’s hard work,” she said. “But they see the end result and that is permanency for these kids.”

Volunteers come from all walks of life, she added. Sometimes it’s people who have worked in the juvenile justice or children’s services fields.

“We get volunteers who are students at The University of Akron and retirees,” Cardina said. “We have males and females, but we always need more male volunteers. We try to match children with the same gender.”

Butcher said she has no plans to “retire” from her volunteer work with CASA.

“I can’t imagine not doing it,” she said. “I love it. That’s what keeps me doing it. I like being involved with the kids and families. And often times, there is a happy ending.”

The court asks that CASAs commit to two years with the program, and most stay with the program for a little more than three years, Cardina said. CASAs typically work on one or two cases at a time.

The time commitment can vary, but most cases require between 15 and 20 hours a month, Cardina said.

In addition to volunteers, CASA officials are always looking for additional funding, she added. Volunteer coordinators are court staff, but cannot oversee an overwhelming number of cases, which requires additional staff. The program is funded through grants and donations, Cardina said.

For more information, call 330-643-2928 or go to www.summitcasa.org.

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