Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers know how to get the real story.
Volunteers with CASA of Bergen County positively impact the lives of abused or neglected children by serving as their voice in the courtroom and striving to represent the best interest of each child. They collaborate with professionals from various fields to ensure judges have the facts and information they need to make informed decisions.
Jennifer Heit has volunteered as a CASA advocate for over two years, and now also serves as the non-profit's business development manager. Throughout her involvement with the association, she has become adept at getting the full picture regarding the well-being of the children she advocates for.
"We collaborate with the family and other professionals to get a 360-degree view of the child's life," says Jennifer. "This includes physical and mental health status, education, understanding their placement and living situation, and helping biological parents to engage in a healthier relationship with the child."
Although abuse and neglect can happen regardless of a family's income, Jennifer notes that CASA of Bergen County often works with the poorest of the poor who do not understand or have access to any of the services they may be entitled to. "Many of our cases involve homeless families," she says. "They may not have a car or means of transportation. Language barriers and internet access may also be a challenge. It makes it extremely difficult for them to find a job or go to school."
An advocate's connections in these cases are far-reaching. Once assigned to a child or group of siblings, they see the case through until the child is in permanent placement—which can sometimes take several years. Many of the adults these children rely on may come and go. However, a CASA advocate provides consistency in their lives. "These children undergo a lot of change. They may have various social workers, guardians, foster parents, or therapists over the years. But their assigned CASA advocate sees them through to the closure of their case," says Jennifer.
After a full vetting, interview, background check, and specialized training, CASA volunteers gather and compile information from their birds-eye view of their assigned case. They speak with everyone involved in the child's life and then write a thorough report to paint the picture for the courts. "Case workers are like reporters," says Jennifer. "We try to figure out the whole story."
Last year, CASA of Bergen County, a 501(c)(3), served 127 children with 94 advocates who donated a total of 5500 hours throughout the process. CASA also continues to empower young adults who age out of the foster program with events that connect them with educational opportunities, banks, cell phone companies, etc. "This helps them to gain independence as they age out," says Jennifer.
This holiday season, CASA is holding a holiday drive to provide diapers, formula, toys, warm coats, socks, gloves, and hats to the children and families they work with. "Inflation and housing costs have gone up, and more families need assistance purchasing toys, gifts, and just managing the cost of living," notes Jennifer.
CASA is also seeking volunteers interested in making a difference in a child's life. The group is especially interested in adding diversity to their team, including Hispanic, Black, and male volunteer candidates.
"I wanted to do something meaningful and give back to the community," says Jennifer. It's about connecting with the broader community and trying to make a difference in a child's life who may not otherwise have much of a chance. I can get that 360-degree view and pull the parties together in a way that others can't—it makes a difference for everyone involved."
bergencasa.org