It’s a delicate balance. Keeping someone’s best interests in mind, while still staying objective isn’t an easy task. Especially when you’re dealing with a child in a vulnerable position.
Mike Maki of New Ipswich has been walking that line for two years now, as a Court Appointed Special Advocate to three siblings. Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASAs, are trained volunteers who step in during custody cases to advocate in court for the best interests of abused and neglected children.
“You get to know these kids and you want to help them,” explained Maki in an interview at his New Ipswich home. “You are able to make a difference in these kids lives, which is hugely important work.”
Maki only became a CASA about two years ago, after watching an ad asking for volunteers. It’s not a service that everyone is suited for, said Maki, since CASAs are meant to monitor a custody case through monthly visits and reports, serving the best interest of their clients without getting personally involved.
“Some people have a lot of trouble with that, because it’s real easy to cross that line,” said Maki. “But we’re there to make sure these kids don’t fall through the cracks and look out for their best interests, and that’s the key point.”
But despite efforts from CASA volunteers, not every child is able to have that kind of advocate. With a growing number of parents facing substance abuse issues, there is more need than ever for advocate volunteers.
“Last fall we noted that our caseload had increased about 30 percent over the fall previous, and we continue to see that trend,” wrote CASA of New Hampshire Director of Communications Carolyn Cote in an email to the Ledger-Transcript. “Children are the unwitting victims of parents who’ve fallen victim to drug and alcohol addiction and these kids need a strong, caring adult who will advocate on behalf of their best interests.”
Statewide, said Cote, almost 70 percent of the cases that CASA is dealing with involve some form of substance abuse. When you break down the numbers further, those stats are even higher in Cheshire and Hillsborough Counties — 77 and 74 percent respectively.
“It’s really the goal to have every child that’s a victim of potential abuse or neglect to have a CASA, but there’s just not enough to go around,” said Maki. “Sometimes it takes that person standing back and looking at the situation to keep it moving in the right direction. It’s an important role, and I think it’s a pretty high level of volunteerism.”
CASA volunteers must first go through a screening process and a 40-hour training to inform them about courtroom procedures, the dynamics of abuse and neglect, cultural differences, child development and effective advocacy techniques. CASA volunteers spend an average of 10 to 15 hours per month on each case. Initially, volunteers are assigned one case, but may gain more depending upon availability and need. CASA volunteers talk regularly with the parents and other family members, social workers, school officials, healthcare providers, and all others involved in the child’s life. Most importantly, CASAs visit with the child at least once each month.
CASA runs periodic trainings in becoming an advocate. Upcoming are trainings in Manchester starting on May 3 and again on July 11. For more information about becoming an advocate or about CASA, visit www.casanh.com.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.