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“These children have been forced to grow up,” Emily Skow told members of the Washington City Rotary Club (WCRC) in November. “We have children who are eight, who can tell you everything about a drug – how to use it and how people react to it – when they should be learning their ABC’s, math and focusing on childhood.”
Emily is with UtahCASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, and says abused and neglected children often enter the foster care and child welfare system not because of something they did but because of the acts of their parents and caregivers. Because of an overburdened system, Emily says it is difficult for case workers to get to know the kids on a personal basis, and that’s when CASA comes into play.
CASA is the only volunteer program that trains individuals to advocate for these children and ensure each child's needs and best interests remain a priority until the child is placed in a safe permanent home. Emily says CASA volunteers meet with the child twice a month and are encouraged to meet with them weekly “to change a child’s life.” They can go for walks, to the library to read, to Starbucks, to play in the park – to just be kids. These advocates are appointed by the child's attorney or a judge and gather information from the child’s family and others involved in the child’s life to make independent and informed recommendations to help decide what’s best for the child.
In 2021 there were a total of 745 active volunteers serving 1622 children in care. Advocates contributed 31,825 hours while serving child clients. You can support CASA through donations, volunteer time or connecting with the organization to see how to get involved. https://www.utahcasa.org/.
The WCRC presented a check to CASA to support its critical work in making a difference in a child’s life.
Service Above Self is More Than a Saying!
Washington, UT 84780
United States of America