CASA CASE OF THE WEEK: “Derek”
A CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer is needed to serve as an advocate for 15-year-old “Derek.”
Derek has been removed from his parents’ care by the Department of Child Safety (DCS) because his mother and stepfather have a long history of illegal-drug use and involvement in criminal activity. The parents were recently arrested and DCS has been unable to locate Derek’s biological father, leaving no one able to care for Derek. Derek is currently placed in a group home while DCS continues to search for relatives that are willing and able to care for him.
Among the CASA volunteer’s responsibilities:
Monitoring the child’s progress in his current placement; working with his DCS case manager and any service providers to ensure that he receives the appropriate services, such as educational and medical care; and making recommendations to the court about a permanent outcome for Derek.
Are you willing to give approximately 15 to 20 hours per month to advocate for an abused or neglected child in our community?
Are you detail oriented and organized? Do you have time to review documents, attend meetings and write a quarterly report based on the information you’ve received?
No experience is necessary, and comprehensive training is provided at no cost to the volunteer advocate.
Once certification and training are complete, CASA volunteers spend time learning about the child and their needs, gather information about the child’s circumstances, advocate for services for the child, and provide information to the court about what is in the child’s best interest.
If you are interested in becoming a CASA volunteer and making a difference in the life of an abused or neglected child, please contact the CASA office at 928-771-3165.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The child’s name has been changed to protect the identities of those involved, and this child is not eligible for adoption at this time.
