Foster kids in need of court advocates

850 now volunteer for 14,300 Ariz. children

Arizona has never had enough volunteers to work with children in foster care, and judges are appealing again for more court-appointed special advocates to help guide the kids through the system.

The volunteers, or CASAs, act as advisers to juvenile-court judges who oversee the cases of children removed from their homes because of suspected abuse or neglect. Each volunteer is paired with a foster child, and often becomes the one consistent adult during a child’s time in care. They represent the child in court and make recommendations to judges about their best interests.

There are about 850 CASAs for more than 14,300 foster children. Arizona Appeals Court Judge Maurice Portley says they can be a foster child’s “best friend.”

“You’re making a difference in the life of a child,” said Portley, a former presiding judge for Maricopa County Juvenile Court, who spoke at a news conference on the steps of the Arizona Supreme Court building last week. “There is something in it for all of us that will make our community stronger as we’re helping children.”

National studies show that foster children who are paired with CASAs spend less time in foster care, are more likely to receive more and better treatment services and are more likely to have their case closed and never re-enter the child-welfare system.

Retired engineer Steve Zimmerman has been a CASA for six years, mostly working with teenage boys. The boys don’t want to be in foster care, he says, and the system doesn’t want them to be there either.

“Nobody signs up for this,” Zimmerman said. So he tells them: “I assure you, this foster-care thing will end. What I want us to do together is to move you through it ... and for you to go on and have a great life.”

That’s what Kody Chancellor is working on. Now 18, he spent 10 years in foster care and, though he’s no longer in Child Protective Services, still sees his CASA on a weekly basis.

“She’s helped me through thick and thin,” Chancellor said. “She was able to connect with me. She wasn’t like anybody else.”

CASAs must be at least 21 years old, pass a background check and complete 30 hours of training. They’re sworn as officers of the court, assigned cases and are expected to dedicate 10 to 15 hours a month to their child.

Those interested can call the Arizona CASA office at 602-452-3683 or go online to www.casaofarizona.org.