RSS Feed
|
The Acorn - Thousand Oaks Acorn Moorpark Acorn - Simi Valley Acorn |
|
|
|||||
|
Advocates make a difference in young lives
A CASA volunteer, or court appointed special advocate, Rubey becomes a mentor to children who've been removed from their parents' care because of abuse or neglect. As an advocate, she offers insights to the Juvenile Dependency Court judge who must make vital decisions about the child's future. "As I tell people, this is the most important thing I could be doing with my time right now," the seven-year advocate said. More people like Rubey are needed in the Ventura County program. At least 75 children from age 5 to 17 are waiting to be assigned an advocate. Interface, which runs the program, held an information session last week for prospective volunteers at its Camarillo office. Nearly three dozen people attended. Sandi White, the program director, said the waiting list is the longest it's ever been. The county's population has grown, and so has the number of children in the dependency court system, she said. She added that statistics show children assigned an advocate perform better in school and are less likely to participate in crimes. Nearly 30 years ago, a Seattle judge started the program, which quickly spread across the country. In 1990, Congress encouraged the program's expansion with the passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act. Today there are more than 50,000 volunteers nationwide serving 225,000 children through local programs. In Ventura County, Dependency Court Judge Tari Cody, who only hears cases involving child abuse and neglect, appoints the advocates. There are too few to go around, and the need is most pressing in the cases that come across her bench "They're important in my courtroom . . . they're another set of eyes and ears of an informed, interested adult I can rely upon to make decisions affecting these kids," said Cody. "They are good people who volunteer their time. If we can get kids matched up with good role models it just can't help but benefit these kids." Rubey also serves as the unpaid case manager for the program, assisting and guiding other advocates when necessary. Although the married mother of two adult sons retired from a management job with a Santa Barbara firm several years ago, advocates come in all varieties. Rubey said there are advocates as young as 21 and others in their 80s; some are young mothers, others middleaged professionals. Before being accepted into the program, prospective advocates are interviewed, fingerprinted and must pass a background check. They go through 40 hours of training and attend ongoing workshops. Advocates are sworn officers of the court but are not attorneys or substitute parents. They work closely with the foster parents and social worker assigned to the child's case. They might talk with a child's teacher if there are problems in school. Advocates attend court hearings every six months to report to the judge on how the child is faring. The judge may ask for their recommendations about services the child is receiving or should be getting. Advocates may take a child to a movie, the mall or plan other activities to demonstrate that the child whose life has been disrupted is important in their eyes. "They are someone who's committed to the child's wellbeing," White said. Qualities that make a good advocate are responsibility, plenty of common sense and a healthy dose of empathy, Rubey said. Advocates aren't allowed to bring a child home or discuss the child with anyone besides other advocates. "If you can't keep a secret, don't be a CASA volunteer," Rubey tells prospective advocates. CASA of Ventura County plans another information session for prospective advocates. For more information, call (805) 485-6114, Ext. 609. The program and CASA advocates are not affiliated with the Casa Pacifica facility in Camarillo. |
for larger version       |
||||
)