Advocates Aid Neglected Children

SOMERS POINT – In the 1990s, Mary was a foster parent in northern New Jersey whose foster child was returned to her biological parents over Mary’s objections.
After the young child died at the hands of her parents, Mary was so distraught that she moved to the southern part of the state. She didn’t want any foster parent to go through what she had been through.
Following in the footsteps of a national organization on the West Coast, Mary started an organization first in Atlantic County and then in Cape May County to advocate on behalf of children in foster care.
Called Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children of Atlantic and Cape May counties, 84 active volunteers advocated on behalf of 430 children in Atlantic County and 227 children in Cape May County during fiscal year that ended June 30.
“We need more volunteers,” said Karen DeRosa, CASA director of community development. “Right now only 65 percent of children living in foster care have an advocate to be their independent voice in court and ensure they receive the best care and resources while living within the child welfare system.”
Ninety-four percent of new filings in Cape May County are matched with CASA volunteers.
Volunteers like Judy (who asked that her last name not be used) echoed the need saying “being a CASA advocate is being on a journey with the children. You are so important in what you are doing for them that they will never forget you.”
A Cape May County business owner, Judy got involved with CASA after hearing about the county’s drug abuse problems and its effects on families.
“The next thing I knew, I was being interviewed at CASA,” she said. “People need to step up to the plate and give these children in foster care a second chance in life. They are our next generation, our next leaders.”
At over 70 years of age, Judy said she considers the foster children assigned to her as “an extension” of her grandparenting.
A CASA advocate for one-and-one-half years, she has worked on behalf of two young girls who live with different foster families.
During about 35 hours of training provided by the organization, Judy learned about potential scenarios she could encounter and dos and don’ts in dealing with the children.
As a child advocate, she spends about 10 hours monthly talking to everyone who comes in contact with the children including the foster and biological parents, teachers, law guardians, extended family members and caseworkers.
She also spends one to two hours a month with each child. “Sometimes it takes a long time for a child to trust you and open up,” Judy said. “You have to take things slow and be methodical; know when to back off, when to push a little more.
“It’s usually a little easier to build trust with children younger than 4-years-old, but there are so many people, strangers really, coming in and out of their lives,” she continued. “It can be very discouraging sometimes that you wonder if you should give up. But I can’t explain the joy when they start to trust you and open up.”
Judy told of how “something kept tugging” at her when she left the foster home where one of “her girls” was living. “Something bothered a couple of us working with her,” she recalled.
“So we ended up moving her to a different foster family. Within 30 days, we had a brand new child. It was amazing to see the difference,” she said.
Part of the CASA advocate’s role involves appearing in Family Court, sometimes on a monthly basis. Reports must be written detailing what happened during visits, emails and other conversations with the child and everyone who interacts with him or her.
The CASA volunteer offers up recommendations on placement or services needed and stays with the child until they are reunified with their biological parents or put up for adoption, usually 18-24 months.
During last fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, 1,130 recommendations were made in Cape May County regarding the overall welfare of the children in care. All but five were ordered by the courts, according to DeRosa.
In New Jersey, children up to age 21 can stay within the foster system. Children are removed from the home for neglect or abuse, according to DeRosa.
In Cape May County, DeRosa said “substance abuse is on the uptick” and that leads to an increase of child neglect.
CASA’s goal is to get the child into a “safe and permanent home,” DeRosa noted.
“It’s sad if there is no reunification,” Judy said. Her two young girls are headed for adoption.
“In Cape May County, there is such a drug problem that leads to abuse, we really need people to step up to the plate and help these children,” Judy stressed.
“I have been involved in a lot of things over my life, as a seasonal business owner involved in the industry year-round. I think I am a well-rounded businesswoman, but being a CASA volunteer is one of the top things I’ve done, if not the top thing. It is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done, with many blessings.”
DeRosa said volunteers “need no special skills,” with the only requirements being they are 21 years of age, have access to a car and a computer.
While the children are almost split evenly between males and females, about 80 percent of their volunteers are female.
DeRosa said they prefer to match like sexes and race, so the children have positive role models.
Most volunteers are over 40, including some in their 80s, she noted. Couples sometimes want to work as a team serving a family; others team up and share siblings who sometimes may not share the same foster family.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should call the organization at 609-601-7800 or access the online volunteer inquiry form at https://atlanticcapecasa.org
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.