what we blog

Safe Haven

CASA-CAN Children's Advocate Network — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:28:35 +0000

Imagine being 16 and pregnant and living on the streets wondering how you are going to get through the night let alone care for a baby. So you consider your alternatives; abortion (you are too far along), adoption (leaves a paper trail), or simply leaving the newborn in a trash can for someone else to find. In 1991 people found 65 abandoned infants in public places, 8 were dead; in 1998 there were 105 abandoned infants found and 33 dead. These staggering statistics prompted lawmakers in Texas, 1999, to pass the first Infant Safe Haven Law (aka “Baby Moses Law”). The law protects mothers from being prosecuted and had the right to anonymity if she decides to surrender her newborn to a hospital, welfare office, or EMS provider and the child has to be less than 60 days old. As of 2008 all 50 states have a similar law to protect new mothers and babies. No two states have the same Safe Haven laws. State variations include the age of the child that is left, who can leave a child, and where the child can be left.

Birth Defects Prevention Month

CASA-CAN Children's Advocate Network — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:34:07 +0000

. . .Though there is no exact science about what causes child abuse, there are known causes that increase the risk. The risks for child abuse include, and are not limited to, premature birth, physical disability, below-normal intelligence, difficult temperament, developmental delays, and behavioral problems. Other causes include the failure to establish a close bond between parent and child caused by an unwanted pregnancy, twins or multiple births, foster or adoptive child, mental health problems in a caregiver, and many more. Most of these risk factors cause emotional and financial stress on the family causing the parent or caregiver to lash out on the child. Over 240,000 children are abused or neglected each year in the United States. The question remains: when in the child’s development is it considered child abuse? In 2004 Texas passed a law making it a felony . . .

Click! A Tiny Snapshot

CASA-CAN Children's Advocate Network — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:13:53 +0000

Here's just a tiny snapshot of only a few of the issues surrounding birth - hopefully enough for you to look deeper into how a low birth-weight baby born to a teenage mother with no insurance will start its life and how that child may become a youth-in-need of care and in need of a CASA guardian ad litem.

In an average week in Montana:
241 babies are born
25 babies are born to mothers age 15-19
29 babies are born pre-term (prior to the 37th week of pregnancy)
18 babies are born with low birth-rate (less than 5 1/2 pounds)
2 babies die before their first birthday

See map below:
Montana 2003-2006 Birthrate Average
All statistics courtesy of the March of Dimes

Issues may be compounded by inadequate or no maternal health insurance:

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CASA-CAN Children's Advocate Network — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:57:36 +0000

During the holidays acts of love and kindness are publicized and it brings us all a warm fuzzy feeling. Then it's all over and January and dreary days follow quickly.

January dreary? Back up. Already in this new year people are calling, emailing and walking in to see how they can help a child. They want to know how they can become a guardian ad litem. It's like a little light in the darkness of a child's life. A pinpoint of illumination that grows as the child gains trust. It's a brightness in the court room when the guardian ad litem speaks on behalf of a child.

And so begins the year 2010.

From all of us to all of you

CASA-CAN Children's Advocate Network — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:47:49 +0000

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

We wish you a very merry, peaceful and loving holiday!

Before Child Abuse Laws

CASA-CAN Children's Advocate Network — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:18:49 +0000

The year - 1874. The childrearing philosophy of day was 'Spare the rod, spoil the child.' Yet, a horse would be rescued from abusive treatment.

The ASPCA was the first humane organization in the Western Hemisphere. The mission, as stated by the founder, Henry Bergh, in 1866, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” Children, on the other hand, did not have the same rights. It wasn't until 1874 that a bruised, battered and unloved Mary Ellen brought child safety to light. Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/health/15abus.html. Guardians can check the book out of the CASA library and it is available online or at local bookstores.

Can Santa fill these Stockings?

CASA-CAN Children's Advocate Network — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:56:17 +0000

Zhu Zhu pets and other toys are on the top of most kids' lists. Or are they? How many kids tell Santa 'I want to go home' or 'I want to know I won't have to move to another foster home'? Those are wishes we would like to fulfill for Santa but find it rather difficult to fit in a stocking. CASA credo is a Safe Home, a Permanent Home, as Quickly as Possible.' So even if the wishes aren't granted with a touch of a wand, volunteer guardians ad litem are out there advocating for the best interests of these children. Guardian angels? You bet!

Oath of Office

CASA-CAN Children's Advocate Network — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:23:39 +0000

On November 28 ten people raised their right hands and swore an oath to advocate for the children they will serve in the months and years to come. Judge Neill oversaw the proceedings.

Class is back in session!

CASA-CAN Children's Advocate Network — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:12:57 +0000

On September 28, 2009 eleven very special people began their journey of becoming a CASA volunteer by taking the NCASA Pre-Service training. NCASA Pre-Service is an eye-opening training that teaches new volunteers the basics of becoming a CASA volunteer. Over the past few weeks the new class of CASA volunteers have enjoyed learning about what it means to be a CASA volunteer, cultural competence, laws pertaining to Youth In Need of Care cases, and begun to understand family dynamics. The class will continue to learn more about children, families, followed by classes on how to use all this information as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL). Though veteran CASA’s know there is not enough training to prepare for everything one could encounter as a CASA; the trainers share their expertise and insight about their experiences.Once training is finished, on October 27 the class will have a mock trial and be sworn in as officers of the court. This new bunch of enthusiastic volunteers are ready to hit the ground running. With only a few weeks left of training, this class will make an excellent addition to the CASA-CAN volunteers.

Classes are Monday and Wednesday nights 6-9pm. Current CASA’s are encouraged to attend to brush up on old skills, share their experiences, and best of all you can count your hours attended into your annual 12 hours of training.

Are you or someone you know interested in becoming a CASA volunteer? Classes will begin again January 25, 2010. It is never too early to sign-up. Call us today!

"Imparting Hope"

CASA-CAN Children's Advocate Network — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:11:36 +0000

Hi. My name is Gary Nowell. I have been involved with CASA-CAN for two and half years. Before I became a Guardian Ad Litem I worked to recruit volunteers for CASA through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. I also rode my bicycle from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park to raise funds for the state CASA program in the annual Park2Park ride.

At first all I knew about CASA-CAN was that they were “the voice for the child” who was abused and neglected and in the foster care system. The goal of the program is that every child who is designated as Youth In Need Care has an advocate who will represent their best interest through court and foster care system. Until I became a Guardian did I truly understand what being the voice for a child meant.

Being a guardian is about imparting hope to both the child and the parents. I catch myself saying to them, “You can do this” or “You can make it.” Without hope both the child and the parents give up moving forward in life.

It is also about getting to know the child and the families. As I observed the monitored visits at DPHHS the case aides are pointing the nuances in the behavior of child or the parent. I began to look deeper and observe more closely. I have learned to listen to the whole person. It is like putting a jig saw puzzle together. The guardian’s job is to ask, “How do all of these relationships fit together? And do they fit well together? “

My first case ended well. I celebrated with the family and the DPHHS case worker of a successful reunification of the child with her father and grandparents. I am in the middle of my second case and it is reading like a detective novel with plenty of twists and turns. Even though I don’t know the exact ending I know that it will turn out well for the child because I am walking with him through this journey and am speaking out for his best interest along the way.