Whether it’s drugs, domestic violence or physical abuse, children in families with these problems might wind up in a legal system they aren’t old enough to understand or navigate.
That’s where court-appointed special advocates (CASA) for children come in.
Although the nonprofit operating in Jefferson-Gilpin counties has 200 volunteers, the number of cases outpaces its volunteer corps.
CASA Jeffco-Gilpin is looking for people who want to join the agency’s volunteer ranks and spend time with youngsters who are in the court system because they’ve been abused or neglected.
Executive director Leah Varnell said only 30 percent of the cases in Jefferson and Gilpin counties’ court system are covered by their volunteers.
She said the group has never had too many volunteers.
Longtime CASA volunteer Marty Unger said anyone who steps up for the job must “really, really like kids.”
A 40-hour training session will start July 9 at Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility, 100 Jefferson Parkway, in Golden.
Varnell said, “We ask for an 18-month commitment, because that is the average length of a case.”
After training, CASA volunteers speak on behalf of kids in court and with case managers, while their parents may be in drug rehab, jail or living in halfway houses. Advocates might take kids out for lunch or on outings, or visit families and relatives with the child. They are the voice of the child to courtroom judges.
In Jefferson County, child protective case managers like Kaliela Doran pursue different methods to help improve the family situation. She works with CASA volunteers and said they offer an unbiased view.
“It’s an independent set of eyes,” she said.
Since CASA Jeffco-Gilpin’s inception in 2000, volunteer advocates have served more than 1,150 children. There are similar agencies throughout Colorado and the nation.
