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CASA-CAN Sees 65% Increase in Cases

By KFBB News Team

Story Created: Feb 2, 2011 at 7:44 PM MDT

Story Updated: Feb 2, 2011 at 7:44 PM MDT

CASA-CAN volunteers work to be the voice of neglected and abused children in court. But over the last year, the organization saw a 65% increase in kids entering the system.

"Since July 2006, we have been able to assign a guardian ad litem to every new child that enters the system," said CASA-CAN Executive Director Lisa Goff.

But with the drastic increase they've seen in 2010, CASA-CAN may have a harder time keeping with that trend.

"In 2010, we served 268 kids. No one is really sure why these kids are coming into the system, and why the neglect and abuse is happening," said Goff.

One theory behind the spike in cases is that tough economy is putting too much pressure on already fragile families.

And as more local families fall apart, more court appointed special advocates are needed to use their voices in the legal process and to ensure kids find a safe home as soon as possible.

"District Court judges very much rely on the guardians ad litem as being the only impartial party in the courtroom, and they're the ones who are there to speak in the child's best interest," said Goff.

CASA-CAN volunteers come from all walks of life, and after completing an application and personal interview, each volunteer goes through 30 hours of pre-service training, which ends in a mock trial.

"We'll go over alcoholism, we'll go over different family structures, what they'll run into with different families. And then how to be an effective CASA, how to interview people, how to communicate," said Amanda Nigrello with AMERICORP VISTA.

And with a commitment that includes a few hours a week at the beginning of a case, and a few hours a month as the process continues, these volunteers are making a powerful impact.

"Kids don't fall through the cracks with a CASA volunteer, because they are able to dedicate more time to the case," said Nigrello.

CASA-CAN is currently taking applications for the next round of training that begins on March 21. For more information, visit the CASA-CAN Website.

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