A Voice for the Vulnerable: CASA of Jackson County supports local children

Every child should feel safe, loved and acknowledged. However, sometimes these innocent children endure abuse or neglect, which shatters their safety net and turns their world into a scary and unpredictable place.

To help these children, CASAs (Court Appointed Special Advocates) donate their time and act as independent eyes and ears of the court, and speak on behalf of the youth in the custody of the Department of Human Services. They are a voice for those who have none.

Serving the children

By law, every child involved in a case of abuse or neglect is appointed a CASA. Beyond speaking for the child in court, a CASA gets to know the child on a personal level and becomes genuinely involved in their life.

In addition to acting as a court advocate, a volunteer may also visit the child in the hospital if the youngster has been injured, or go to their school as an educational advocate. But whatever the CASA does, they remain by the child’s side as an unwavering positive influence, said Jennifer Mylenek, Executive Director of CASA of Jackson County.

“A CASA is a consistent person in the child’s life during the case,” said Mylenek. “Caseworkers change, a child’s school or friends may change, or they might have foster parents. It’s a revolving door of people around them. Except for the CASA.”

CASA of Jackson County was founded in 1990, but the nationwide program was formed in Seattle in 1977 by a juvenile court judge. Even in his own courtroom, the judge could not get clear answers on how the child felt and what they wanted. He developed the program to allow the children in the system to be heard and acknowledged.

Currently, CASA volunteers serve over 600 children a year in Jackson and Josephine counties, with over 200 children on a waitlist.

With more than 200 volunteers, Mylenek believes the CASAs are extraordinary people who bring a unique perspective and set of skills to their volunteer work.

A relationship built on trust

Duties for a CASA vary and may involve visiting a child to determine what issues exist and how to address them, advocating for care, interviewing people involved in the child’s life, and spending time with the child.

“A volunteer could spend one day advocating for the child’s medical care, and another going on a walk or playing a game with them,” said Mylenek.

Wherever the child has been placed, whether with their birth parents or in the foster system, a CASA will always see the child in their home. They get to know the child, the parents or foster parents, and discover what is happening in the child’s life.

Cases of child abuse and neglect are emotionally-charged for everyone involved, especially the family. So it’s imperative for the CASA to unearth the truth about the child’s situation — if they require additional services, if their needs are being met, and to offer emotional support.

Some children may also require help in school, which falls under the purview of the CASA’s duties. In those cases, the CASA becomes an educational advocate and works within the system to help them receive tutoring or access to the proper education programs.

“We have a CASA who was a former math teacher,” said Mylenek, “and he tutors the children he works with.”

As a court case progresses, CASAs prepare and submit written reports for court hearings. These reports are usually the first thing the judge reads because they are focused on the child.

“The judge doesn’t get that information from any other source,” said Mylenek.

Additionally, the volunteers offer support for foster parents who don’t always know the details of the case. A CASA helps the foster parents stay involved, but also maintain confidentiality when necessary.

While the work is emotionally difficult at times, it’s also rewarding for the volunteers and the children.

“Children instinctively know when someone cares about them,” said Mylenek.

Unfortunately, the system is overwrought with cases and overworked employees. 13% of kids in foster care in Jackson and Josephine counties will experience abuse while in the foster care system, according to Mylenek. However, when the child is assigned a CASA, that number drops to only 1%.

“We prevent collateral damage by being another set of eyes. If our CASA sees something, they report it,” she said. “We serve kids from birth to 21 years old. It’s a big job, but like our CASAs say, it’s always worthwhile.”

An impact that lasts a lifetime

With so many children to help, the community plays a major role in the success of CASA of Jackson County.

“Our community has offered a wealth of support for our mission, and Southern Oregon Subaru is a large part of that,” she said.

Southern Oregon Subaru has sponsored various events and is a great community partner for CASA of Jackson County. They support a variety of organizations and always give wholeheartedly and genuinely to worthy causes.

The duties of a CASA are always changing. While the majority of cases involve neglect or abuse, there could also be instances of children not receiving proper medical care, missing school, or suffering food insecurities.

“Our job is to advocate for the child and make our recommendations to the court,” said Mylenek.

While volunteering is an emotional experience for the CASAs, it is also impactful for the children. And an experience they never forget.

According to Mylenek, they have numerous thank-you letters from children who had a CASA.

“Even years later, the children in our programs said their CASA saved their life,” said Mylenek.

To know a CASA will be by their side no matter what happens, brings stability and hope to children during painful and uncertain times.