This December I will complete my tenth year as a Kansas CASA® volunteer in Riley County.  The cases I've worked involved children ranging in age from six months to eleven years when I first was appointed to them.  Marriage, parenthood, twenty-four years' active duty in the Army, a postgraduate degree in management and thirteen years' experience as a professional financial programmer did little to prepare me for these challenges.  I had to learn from scratch the alphabet soup by which various mental disorders are discussed, I had to learn the workings of the juvenile court system in Kansas, and I had to learn how to deal with types of personalities that I never before had encountered face-to-face.  I found that children could be hurt nearly as severely by their grandparents as by their parents.  And, while some fathers may not be ideal candidates for sainthood, neither are some mothers!
In spite of the challenges, the rewards are many, and that is what makes being a Kansas CASA® volunteer a worthwhile endeavor. You do it for the chance to see a child adopted by parents absolutely devoted to them. In one such case, I was even asked to be the child's godfather at his baptism. 
I've found over these ten years that I have developed a lasting, caring fondness for each the children to whom I've been appointed.  I think of them often, keep them in my prayers and hope that they're all doing well.  Being a Kansas CASA® volunteer has been a life-changing experience for me.  It is one of the most important things that I've ever attempted.

Former CASA child, 19-year old Christine,
recently described what Kansas CASA meant to her. 

When I first met my Kansas CASA® volunteer, Karen, I was not happy to see her.  She was just another person involved in our personal lives.  I didn't give her a chance.  But over time we became friends.  It took about 1 ½ years though before I really felt comfortable with her.

Now our relationship is more of a friendship.  I'm attending college now, but we keep touch.  We had brunch together the other day.  I appreciate that Karen's interested not only about my situation anymore but about what's going on in my life. 

I strongly believe things turned out differently because I had Karen.  She really listened to me and she made others listen.  She felt that I deserved to be heard even though I was very young.  Adults listened to the Kansas CASA® volunteer.  She made my voice heard and an important part of the case.  She changed me from an object to fight over to a human being with feelings.

Paul, a CASA Volunteer

I first met them on a June afternoon in 1996; three beautiful, loud, undisciplined children, ages 20 months, four and six years. It was next to impossible to conduct a conversation, or even maintain eye contact due to their frenetic whirlwind of activity.

Anna, the 6-year-old "matriarch" of the group tried to out shout and boss her younger brothers into submission, but to no avail. Ryan, age four, seemed to be in his own world, ignoring all attempts at conversation or affection from any adult. He used very little language, as evidenced by his grunts and indistinguishable "boy noises," and little to no eye contact. Andy, the baby, was cute as could be - smiling and very eager to be held.

The three children were removed from their parents' home and placed in foster care. The Court declared them to be Children in Need of Care due to neglect. They would remain in the court system for nine, long years.

They lived in 16 homes, including two unsuccessful reintegration attempts with the natural mother and stepfather, had at least 15 social workers, and 4 judges.  I knew the children's struggles and successes and I advocated for their best interests.  I updated the Judge on changes that had occurred since the last court hearing; relayed the children's history to social workers who had just been given their case; talked with teachers to get information about the children's school progress; and informed foster parents about the children's personality and behavior.

All three children have exhibited learning and behavior problems, but with structure, patience and time, these difficulties have diminished. It has taken years of therapy and support services for foster and adoptive families, but I feel hopeful that these children now have a chance to enjoy "normal" family life.

I think back to the first time I saw the natural mother and stepfather. It was behind an observation window at the SRS office. It was the parents' first visit with their children after a two week separation period. Anna ran to throw her arms around her mother. No response. Ryan didn't interact much with either parent but ran aimlessly around the room going from toy to toy. Andy, the two-year old, sat on his daddy's lap the whole time. His father interacted only with him, as he was his only natural child. Their mother sat interacting with no one -unable to express any feelings whatsoever for her three young children.

Thankfully, as social workers, therapists, and foster families came and went, I was able to provide a sense of continuity for these children when no one else could. This was a particularly long case, but I am most pleased with the fact that I was the one constant throughout the nine-year history of this heart-wrenching story.
 
Today Anna, Ryan, and Andy have what all children deserve—safe, loving, and permanent homes.  They have parents who are committed to them and helping them through their continuing challenges so they can reach their potential. 

As a Kansas CASA® volunteer, I'm proud to have made a difference in the lives of these children.


Jayne, a CASA Volunteer

I just returned from the adoption ceremony of Annie and Eddie. They were adopted by a very loving couple with two other kids. This adoption has been the result of two years watching these kids go from scared, neglected little people to confident, well-adjusted children. The only people who had been with this case from the beginning were the guardian ad litem, the court appointed psychologist and myself, the Kansas CASA® volunteer. There had been ten case workers with three different agencies, three SRS workers, and three foster homes involved in this case.

When I first met Annie, she was a quiet little girl with a cute smile. She had just been placed in foster care after living with family guardians. Her mother had a drug addiction and spent most of her life in jail or running from the law. Her father had a drug and alcohol problem and was in another state. Both parents had anger control issues and Annie had seen her share of police coming to her home to break up family arguments.  Over a period of time Annie warmed up to me and I'll never forget the time we went for a walk and she reached up for my hand.

One day the foster mother called saying Annie wanted to speak to me. Annie reported that she had been sexually abused by a family member. I assured her that I would do everything in my power to try and make her safe. I reported the abuse and charges were filed. Annie started receiving therapy immediately.

Several months after Annie moved to the foster home, her four-year old brother, Eddie, came to live there.  During one of Annie's visit to the guardian's home, I dropped by the house and observed Eddie outside in 40 degree weather without shoes or socks.  He was running between parked cars on a busy street.  The next day I reported this to the social worker and he was placed with Annie in the foster home.

Eddie had a terrible speech problem and behavior issues that would challenge the most seasoned parents. Annie and Eddie were moved from the first foster home when the foster mother couldn't handle the children's behaviors. The next foster home was wonderful. Both children learned love and manners. Eddie became a loving child who gave hugs each time I walked in the door. Circumstances indicated a move to another foster home, but they carried on the love and respect. Eventually the family's rights were severed and a forever family was picked. I liked them from the start and they adored the kids.

During the adoption ceremony, Annie looked at me and smiled. Eddie looked over and gave me a thumbs up sign. I remembered driving 30 miles in a snowstorm to watch their Christmas program at church. I remembered the excitement when I showed up on grandparent's day at school to represent their version of family. I refrained from crying in front of the kids, but the happiness is too great to contain. I know I made a difference in their lives and I can never forget the difference they have made in mine.  

Bob, a CASA Volunteer

I became a Kansas CASA® volunteer because of my only granddaughter, Nikki.  Nikki came into our family as a foster child.  Our daughter and her husband had just completed training as foster parents when Nikki was placed in foster care with them.  Nikki was seven years old and had been neglected and abused.  She had an adult bite mark on the side of her face.  Every tooth had left a scab.  Several times the mother's boyfriend had grabbed Nikki by the throat and pinned her against the wall.

Nikki had a Kansas CASA® volunteer from the beginning of foster care who visited her on a regular basis.  Nikki's birth mom would make appointments to visit with her or take her out for an afternoon of fun, but always failed to show up.  Nikki's Kansas CASAalways kept her appointments.

Nikki's mom failed to make progress in the Reintegration Plan and eventually just quit contacting Nikki or the case manager.  The Kansas CASAvolunteer continued to visit Nikki on a weekly basis.  The mother's parental rights were eventually terminated by the court and Nikki was placed for adoption.  Our daughter and son-in-law stepped up to adopt Nikki and adoption day finally arrived.  It was a great day for all of us.  Our family attended the adoption hearing – and the Kansas CASA® volunteer was there as well. And Nikki was calling us grandma and grandpa.

Nikki will be eighteen in April and will graduate from high school in June.  She loves cats, church, music, and old ladies. She and grandma have long phone conversations and talk about everything.

When I retired 5 years ago, I wondered what I would do with my time.  I wanted to make a difference to something or someone.  Nikki's mom suggested I should become a Kansas CASA® volunteer.  I contacted the Kansas CASA® organization, was interviewed, and began training. 

My first case was a little guy whose single mom had dropped him off with her mother on Christmas Day and then abandoned him.  This was the second time he had been abandoned.  After 4 months of no contact by the mother, grandma called SRS and reported her daughter.  The court declared him to be a Child In Need of Care and he was placed in foster care with his grandma.  I was assigned as the Kansas CASA® volunteer.  I began to visit him on a regular basis.  I learned to play again and it wasn't easy.  At times he was defiant toward me.   Other times we got along great.

Mom was furious.  She was doing drugs, had no job and no permanent home.  She was defiant towards the court and the Reintegration Plan.  Early on she failed drug tests.  Nothing seemed to make her want to change. 

The case went to trial for termination.  By some quirk, her case was continued, but the state and the court had her attention.  She began supervised visitations. Then unsupervised visits and then overnight's.  She began to comply with the reintegration plan.  She was taking an interest in her child.

He and I were still playing.  He wore me out and always beat me when we played computer games.

I kept track of mom's progress.  She went to work and was able to provide suitable housing.  Eventually, mom completed the requirements of the Reintegration Plan and won custody of her son.

My current case involves three little guys, two, three and six, Children In Need of Care.  All three have been neglected.  The oldest has been sexual abused by his mother, her brother, and her boyfriend.  He has been exposed to pornography.  The two year old was born positive for marijuana.  When he was 6 weeks old he was returned to the hospital for medical care.  Mom and dad only visited him twice. 

I have related well with these boys from the beginning.  When I visit they bring me toys and books, so I play and read to them.  When I leave, I get hugs and kisses and I love it.

A week ago Sunday I called the new foster mom to schedule a visit.  She said she was at Children's Mercy Urgent Care with the youngest who had a high fever.  The new foster mom didn't know his medical history, but I was able to make a few calls and give the medical information to the doctor.

In the movie Dead Poets Society, Robin Williams, playing the part of John Keating asked his class to "huddle up".  He got down on his knees and was telling them importance of poetry.  He said to them in closing, "Life is a poem. What will your verse be?"

One of my verses will be - I was a Kansas CASA® volunteer.  I made a difference for a child.

Ann, a CASA Volunteer

"It was a long and arduous nine year process, but worth it. Found living in a car, these three children would go on to live in sixteen homes, work with fifteen different social workers and go before four judges.

I was the only constant in their life.

Today they are in safe, loving, and permanent home. Best of all, they have a chance now to live a great life."

Christopher, a former CASA child

“Strongly believe things turned out differently because I had Kyle. He really listened to me and made others listen too
.
Kyle made sure I was treated like a human being with feelings, not as an object to fight over.”

Jennifer, a CASA Volunteer

“Gina was assigned to me after being removed from her home because of concerns for her safety. In a period of 24 hours, she spent the night in a temporary home, was whisked away to a foster home in another county, and enrolled in a new school. By the time I met her, she had met many strangers – an SRS caseworker, foster care caseworker, foster mother, new teacher and classmates, a guardian ad litem, and then me. It was very confusing and overwhelming.

I visited Gina every week, allowing us to develop a quality relationship and she trusted me. I was the only constant in her life. On more than one occasion, I reported to the Judge issues that Gina was experiencing in the foster home that were barriers to her wellbeing.

Kansas CASA® volunteers focus on one child. We’re not at the mercy of an overburdened social service system. We can show a child that we care about then and want to help them move forward, grow, and succeed. Gina is a success story largely because she had a Kansas CASA® volunteer. Today she’s living in a permanent home with her great aunt and uncle. Soon she’ll be in college where she intends to major in meteorology.

As a Kansas CASA volunteer, I’m proud of the difference I made during the 22 months I worked with Gina. I can only hope other children in situations similar to hers will be blessed to have the consistent, competent, loving support only a Kansas CASA volunteer can provide.”