Volunteer Stories
Samples of some of the accomplishments that CASA volunteers have achieved over the last year of advocating for children in Bergen County are provided below.
CASA Volunteer #1 advocated for many services for the CASA child including appropriate therapy, contact between the child and the extended birth family, and urged all of the professionals involved to find a more appropriate home for the CASA child. When the CASA child expressed a desire to have a pen pal, the CASA Volunteer did the research and found an international pen pal association that gave the child the chance to not only have a pen pal but to learn about another culture. The CASA Volunteer tracked down extended family members of the child who expressed a desire to communicate with the child through letters and occasional phone calls. Unfortunately, the family members live very far away. The Volunteer was instrumental in facilitating incoming and outgoing
letters being approved by the child’s residential facility and in setting up a phone call her the child on her birthday.
CASA Volunteer #2 was assigned only one week prior to the case being reviewed by the Child Placement Review Board. The volunteer was able to speak to many people involved in the child’s life, including the child’s mother, aunt, grandmother, a teacher, and his therapist. The CASA Volunteer provided the Board members with a verbal report including new information on where the child was living, going to school, and the type of medication he was currently taking. The Volunteer was the only person in the room with accurate information on the child. Due to that information, the Board was able to order the appropriate services for the child. The CASA Volunteer advocated for the child to remain living with his relative. The Volunteer also facilitated DYFS providing the relative with furniture for the child’s room, and has kept an eye on the child’s academic performance. This case recently closed resulting in Kinship Legal Guardianship with the aunt.
CASA Volunteer #3, during a visit to the youngster’s school, noted the school program did not seem appropriate for the child in both gender and age level. Everyone at the school agreed with the CASA Volunteer. This observation on the part of the CASA Volunteer led to a request for a Child Study Team Meeting where it was decided a more appropriate school placement was needed. A more appropriate placement had been found, but because of red tape and bureaucratic reasons, the youngster was not able to begin the program without an aide, which proved impossible to find. It became clear another placement would be needed. After frequent discussions with the State, which was responsible for this youngster’s placement, another program was found and the young man was admitted to the program. While the CASA Volunteer was thanking the State representative on the Child Study Team, she thanked the CASA Volunteer and said “Thank you for keeping me on my toes.” This story is an example of what can be done when you have the force of the law behind you and when good relationships can be maintained.
Volunteer Stories
Samples of some of the accomplishments that CASA volunteers have achieved over the last year of advocating for children in Bergen County are provided below.
CASA Volunteer #1 advocated for many services for the CASA child including appropriate therapy, contact between the child and the extended birth family, and urged all of the professionals involved to find a more appropriate home for the CASA child. When the CASA child expressed a desire to have a pen pal, the CASA Volunteer did the research and found an international pen pal association that gave the child the chance to not only have a pen pal but to learn about another culture. The CASA Volunteer tracked down extended family members of the child who expressed a desire to communicate with the child through letters and occasional phone calls. Unfortunately, the family members live very far away. The Volunteer was instrumental in facilitating incoming and outgoing
letters being approved by the child’s residential facility and in setting up a phone call her the child on her birthday.
CASA Volunteer #2 was assigned only one week prior to the case being reviewed by the Child Placement Review Board. The volunteer was able to speak to many people involved in the child’s life, including the child’s mother, aunt, grandmother, a teacher, and his therapist. The CASA Volunteer provided the Board members with a verbal report including new information on where the child was living, going to school, and the type of medication he was currently taking. The Volunteer was the only person in the room with accurate information on the child. Due to that information, the Board was able to order the appropriate services for the child. The CASA Volunteer advocated for the child to remain living with his relative. The Volunteer also facilitated DYFS providing the relative with furniture for the child’s room, and has kept an eye on the child’s academic performance. This case recently closed resulting in Kinship Legal Guardianship with the aunt.
CASA Volunteer #3, during a visit to the youngster’s school, noted the school program did not seem appropriate for the child in both gender and age level. Everyone at the school agreed with the CASA Volunteer. This observation on the part of the CASA Volunteer led to a request for a Child Study Team Meeting where it was decided a more appropriate school placement was needed. A more appropriate placement had been found, but because of red tape and bureaucratic reasons, the youngster was not able to begin the program without an aide, which proved impossible to find. It became clear another placement would be needed. After frequent discussions with the State, which was responsible for this youngster’s placement, another program was found and the young man was admitted to the program. While the CASA Volunteer was thanking the State representative on the Child Study Team, she thanked the CASA Volunteer and said “Thank you for keeping me on my toes.” This story is an example of what can be done when you have the force of the law behind you and when good relationships can be maintained.