This semester at VCU, I have been interning with Chesterfield CASA. CASA stands for court appointed special advocates. Although my internship experience just started in March, I have been involved with Chesterfield CASA since October. In order to become a volunteer I had to complete eight weeks of training. I have really enjoyed being a part of this organization. Although I am working locally with Chesterfield, CASA is across the nation. Volunteers are appointed by juvenile court judges to speak up for abused, neglected, and abandoned children.
CASA’s ultimate goal is to help ensure all children under the Court’s protection find safe, nurturing, permanent homes where they can thrive. The mission of Chesterfield CASA is to promote safe, permanent homes for abused and neglected children by providing trained volunteers to advocate for them throughout their involvement in the juvenile court process. Everyone I have met at CASA has been extremely friendly. I can tell they all really care about the work they are doing. The people who are assigned a case after training are volunteers. Volunteers are trained and supervised by their supervisors who are employees of Chesterfield CASA. There are three supervisors, along with other staff who perform behind the scenes work.
Chesterfield CASA is governed by a board of directors who provides the program with a high level of governance, fiscal oversight, compliance, and accountability. My first impression of CASA was that it was a great program that really makes a difference. There is a lot to be done for children who are in the system because of abuse or neglect. I believe having individuals (like CASA volunteers) who’s only priority is that one child really helps. Caseloads for Guardian Ad Litems (GALs) and social workers have been known to be very large and overwhelming. This can be very disheartening when someone is trying to help multiple children in a time frame. As volunteers, we get to give all of our focus to our one or two cases that we are assigned. This allows for the children to have a constant person while they are going through the social services processes.
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During my internship, I have had contact mainly with my own supervisor, Annie Duffy. She oversees my progress, and answers any questions I may have. We met a couple of times, and communicate through email and phone as well. Since this is my first case, Annie helps me a lot with the case I’ve been assigned. She gives me all types of materials, and helps get me on a roll to reach out for information. In order to write a good report for the next hearing date, I need to have relative and up to date information. To do this, I have had to contact a therapist, school counselor, social worker, etc.
The duties of a CASA are, investigate, report, monitor, visit, and assist. I am required to visit with the child(ren) at least once a month. In addition to that, I keep in contact with the foster parent(s), as well as anyone else who become involved to keep up with everything that is going on. In the case I am assigned, I also have to attend court hearings regarding custody. Most of my work is done independently on my own time. I appreciate the flexibility since I am in working and attending school full time.
I have not had any negative experiences during my internship so far. I have felt well prepared by my training and everyone has been more than helpful. I have found it frustrating sometimes due to the nature of the work I am doing. Certain instances that are unfair, but out of my control can definitely bum me out from time to time. To combat this I try to refocus on what I can control, and the good I am doing. Working with the child I have been assigned has been really eye opening. Advocacy has always been something I wanted to get involved with.
Connecting and working with people who all have the same goal for these children has been great. I feel lucky to be making an impact in children’s lives while they do the same for me. CASA has a great reputation in Chesterfield County. It is very well respected by judges and others who are involved in the criminal justice or the department of social services. The reports that volunteers and supervisors write for the presiding judge offers supplemental information from an independent investigation of what is best for the child going forward. These recommendations that are made often go hand in hand with previous thoughts, but can sometimes be different than those of the social services workers involved. The judges agree with and implement the CASAs’ report and findings 93% of the time. This high percentage number is a clear sign that judges greatly appreciate the work and effort that CASAs put into their reports.
Having grown up in Chesterfield County, being a part of CASA has given me a chance to become involved and give back to my community. Seeing the impact that I will make with these children has only solidified my choice to major in criminal justice at VCU. I have been able to think about my next step after I graduate with more insight thanks to this experience than I had previously. My plan is to apply for school after I graduate so that I can pursue a Masters in social work.
