Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Wanted: People to stand up for kids

There are some 35 children currently in the court system in Nevada County as neglected or abused children. The parents and the state have attorneys who meet in the courtroom and present information to the judges. The problem with the system is that there isnt a single person who has only the childs best interests in mind.

Court Appointed Special Advocates - commonly known as CASA - is an agency that provides volunteers who are totally on the side of the child. Ninth Judicial District Circuit Judge Duncan Culpepper said its a valuable service.

"Those (volunteers) can provide a fuller picture of whats going on in a childs life," Culpepper said.

The duties of a child advocate are fairly simple and take only a few hours per month, according to Melenda Cree of CASA. One of the most important tasks of an advocate is to spend some time with the child. That time is not spent in the courtroom, meaning the child is likely to be more relaxed - and more likely to share their true feelings.

"Weve had children disclose additional abuse," Cree said.

CASA advocates also have access to all the adults working with the child, including teachers and therapists. Advocates are encouraged to schedule a time to visit with those professionals between court dates.

Having one person with all that information is another valuable service to the courts, Culpepper said.

The judge doesnt always have access to those people, Culpepper said.

The advocate becomes a constant in the life of a child who is surrounded with change. Cree said the child may have been moved from his home and familiar surroundings once the court system intervened. That child may have even been enrolled in a new school. Even attorneys, Department of Health and Human Services officials assigned to the case and foster parents may change several times over the course of a case. The CASA volunteer is asked to remain with the case until its resolved - sometimes as long as a full year.

Finally, the volunteer becomes the one person with only the childs best interests in mind. Culpepper said most children in the court system just want to go home, even though thats not always in the best interest of the child.

A child loves even a bad parent in most instances, Culpepper said.

Culpepper said hes worked with CASA in Hempstead County - also a member of the Ninth District - and said hes anxious to see the program kick off in Nevada County. He said he doesnt always take the advocates advice, but it provides a more complete view of the situation.

Anyone more than 21 years old can become an advocate, Cree said. There is no upper age limit. Potential advocates must undergo a background check. Training is provided free and will be held in Prescott. Once training is complete, the new advocate is assigned one case at a time. Cree said an experienced advocate will continue to work with a new volunteer until he or she feels confident to work alone.

Cree said no advocates are sent into an unsafe situation. An advocate who doesnt wish to visit the child in the home will be allowed to arrange visits at some other location.

For more information about CASA or to volunteer, contact Cree at