As I write this, it is 4:30 a.m. in Seattle and I am on my way to New York to be interviewed by Diane Sawyer. The interview is for an upcoming special on the issue of overmedication of foster youth—something that is of great concern to me and to many of our volunteers. But that’s not what is on my mind this morning.
A few days ago, I picked up the New York Times and saw this headline: “A Bleak Life, Cut Short at 4.” I read through the story—yet another episode of a child whose situation was known to CPS, who nonetheless died a tragic and unthinkable death. I took it all in with a sickening sense of familiarity.
As often happens following a tragedy like this, there will be the rush to lay blame, to reset procedures and maybe even to create a new law or two. But what struck me about the article is not that one part of the system failed. Her support system broke down in myriad ways: visits not made, concerned relatives not listened to, protocols not followed, insufficient visits by CPS and its private contract agency, poor quality services, caseworkers at a loss on how to handle caseloads, and the list goes on. There are any number of reasons why this tragedy happened, but there are no valid excuses.
The cascade of failures that led to Marchella Pierce’s death won’t be entirely solved by new legislation, new procedures or more money. What every child needs is someone who stands beyond the excuses. Someone like a CASA/GAL volunteer whose sole responsibility is to protect the best interests of that young person and ensure that she does not fall into the shadows. I cannot promise that our movement alone can solve all of the problems that led to this young child’s death. But I do know this: our country cannot fulfill its crucial obligation to protect abused and neglected children unless qualified community members are empowered to lift up their voices on behalf of each child. Every child in care needs someone who will fight to ensure that their future is a safe, permanent home instead of a premature obituary.
This is why we have dedicated ourselves to providing a CASA volunteer to every child in care by the year 2020. Every child. Not a single child in this country should be left to navigate the system alone. That is exactly what our 2020 goal is about. We can, and we will, lift up the voices of every child in the system until there are no more children in care. This is our mission. This is our calling.
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As a GAL in Florida, we fight the same battles in our attempts to protect our most vulnerable, abused, neglected and abandoned children. After two recent beating deaths of infants in our 13th Circuit (Tampa), I requested that the Department of Children and Families (DCF) take a closer look at our on-line case management system, Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN. That 8000 GALs state wilde have no direct assess to this sytem, Also, our reports, concerns and alerts are likley not included in this case management system. Further, until all parties to our cases are ‘chanting from the same hymnal’, it is not ‘if but when’ we will be dealing with our next tragedy.
Advocating for our children works. DCF now has a pilot program in a Florida Circuit underway, allowing GALs access to FSFN. With everyone inputing and accessing real time case information, imagine the potential for better intra-agency communication and action, keeping our children safe and ultiamtely saving lifes.
I live in Lowndes Co. GA; I happened to meet someone recently who works with CASA in nearby county and found out why we don’t have a CASA program in my county. The juvenile judge won’t work with CASA; will not allow them in his court. I know he is the final authority on the matter in his court, but is there anything else that can be done to assist the children in the county?
Reading this story breaks my heart. I have been planning on taking the training course in July and after reading this I really feel it needs to be a priority on my list. We need to be the voice for this children and show them that the world can be a loving place. I am really looking forward to the training and really hope I can make a difference.
I fully agree that we need more volunteers. However more volunteers will not change a broken system Our system is broken when it comes to abused and neglected children. What we need is public awareness and our friends and neighbors to get involved in stopping child abuse. We need to get the message out that our children are more important then the treatment they are receiving under our current system. The average DCS FCM in our county has between 20 to 30 cases to work, an impossible job. Low pay long hours and the need to close cases due to reunification takes it toll on everyone connected with the system. As a CASA we do make an impact however a lot of the time we are heard but due to budgets, a system that favors closing cases our voices are heard but not acted upon. In my opinion the reason we are not able to maintain and keep CASA’s we lose more then we win. The system is geared to do more for the abusers then the welfare of the children. The people in our community need to understand that a abuser is in many cases the victim of abuse. The ugly cycle of abuse repeats itself and all the new CASA’s in the world will not break this cycle. We need to change the system where the focus in upon the well being of the child and what is in their best interest. To many times have we set in court and listened to excuses of the abusers, while the child lingers in the never never land of reunification and guilt, only to be sent back to the abusing family.
Berry, I strongly agree with you. As a parent and a passionate educator, I’ve battled many powers that be inorder to save several of my students who were in need of assistance, due to abuse and neglect. To no avail. It breaks my heart that “WE” as a nation put the welfare of our children last, scholastically, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I had begun the training for CASA in one state, but stopped due to relocating to another. Im going to see if there is an affiliate where I now dwell. U’re right, the system does fail the many mini victims of abuse. However, I also feel that if I can help to save just one, that’s one less not saved.
It is stories like these that got me and continue to get me threw everday. No life is granted and I, like everyone else, deserve nothing; not even the breath I breathe. With each heart renching story I am put face to face with my morality. Things could always be worse but through it all I know God has a plan for me and everything that has happen to me will serve its purpose. I am eternally greatful to my Lord for all that he has given me most importantly my mother who has taught me to be human and my AMAZING CASA who has taught me to have faith, trust and love even when loving is hard to do. The act of doing just becomes normal and all of a sudden your a different person
. self lessness is the ultimate sacrifice and if our God can give up his only son for me then I surely can Forgive all and Love abundently.I am a product of the CASA program and although I have my flaws I am doing fairly well for myself. The biggest gift you can give is not your money but your time, your undevided, truly careing, and interacted time. Please if you wish you could have done something for this child become a CASA become an advocate for the silent, you cannot save the child who is hidden but you can save another. Letthis little girls life not be in vain.
I am so proud to be able to be a part of CASA. I was sworn in last week. I just received my case today. I cannot wait to get started! No child should have to endure this.
I live in Hillsdale Co. MI we do not have a C.A.S.A. program. what can I do, and who do I need to talk to, to help get one started?
Hi Linda,
We have several programs in neighboring counties, including Eaton and Branch Counties. We’ll email you directly with contact information for those programs.
If you are interested in starting a new program, we have lots of helpful information in the Programs section of CASAforChildren.org.
- Tom @ National CASA
Call National CASA and see if they can help. There may be a program near you.
800-628-3233
http://www.casaforchidren.org
If you go to the website and click on volunteering on the left of the page there is a spot to enter your zip code. After you enter it will say
Don’t see a program near you and wish to start one? Find out more. The find out more is a link on their page and will give you more information. Hope this helps