Texas CASA Offering Relief for CPS; Help Is Declined
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: October 17, 2012
"I fear that there are children slipping through the cracks," says Christy Biebighauser.
Biebighauser worked for the Court Appointed Special Advocates program, also known as CASA, for two and a half years in Graham, Texas.
CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and speak up for abused and neglected children to make sure they don't get lost in the overburdened legal and social service systems or languish in the foster care system.
The program is found in several cities across the state, but not in Abilene.
Diane Dotson says, "Seems to be a general consensus that CASA would be a good thing."
However, some think what is currently set in place works just fine.
Texas CASA CEO, Vicki Spriggs explains, "I think that generally the courts were satisfied with what was going on and felt like cps was doing an adequate job."
That was until the most recent investigation that highlighted three Abilene CPS workers who mishandled evidence that left a baby dead.
Now entities like the Regional Victim Crisis Center are hoping the legal community will see the need for the CASA program to come to Abilene, to help of CPS workers when they feel overwhelmed.
"We train volunteer victim advocates. We have a professional staff. We've been working with victims for 35 years."
So, why stop at just that?
Spriggs says, "The citizens are already saying yes, come. The legal community now needs to step up and say we're willing to work with the community to make this happen in Abilene so we can better serve our children."
"Having another set of eyes that check on these children, how can that be a bad thing?" asks Biebighauser.
Whether or not it is a good or bad thing, that is up to you to decide.
Meanwhile, Texas CASA will continue to press forward, in hopes of one day having a presence in Abilene.
Biebighauser worked for the Court Appointed Special Advocates program, also known as CASA, for two and a half years in Graham, Texas.
CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and speak up for abused and neglected children to make sure they don't get lost in the overburdened legal and social service systems or languish in the foster care system.
The program is found in several cities across the state, but not in Abilene.
Diane Dotson says, "Seems to be a general consensus that CASA would be a good thing."
However, some think what is currently set in place works just fine.
Texas CASA CEO, Vicki Spriggs explains, "I think that generally the courts were satisfied with what was going on and felt like cps was doing an adequate job."
That was until the most recent investigation that highlighted three Abilene CPS workers who mishandled evidence that left a baby dead.
Now entities like the Regional Victim Crisis Center are hoping the legal community will see the need for the CASA program to come to Abilene, to help of CPS workers when they feel overwhelmed.
"We train volunteer victim advocates. We have a professional staff. We've been working with victims for 35 years."
So, why stop at just that?
Spriggs says, "The citizens are already saying yes, come. The legal community now needs to step up and say we're willing to work with the community to make this happen in Abilene so we can better serve our children."
"Having another set of eyes that check on these children, how can that be a bad thing?" asks Biebighauser.
Whether or not it is a good or bad thing, that is up to you to decide.
Meanwhile, Texas CASA will continue to press forward, in hopes of one day having a presence in Abilene.
Comments
I cannot say enough in support of having CASA in Abilene. They will NOT work against or hinder the work CPS does. Instead CASA would be a helpful tool for CPS and the children.
I have 3 children from out of state who continue to have their CASA from their state. The CASA has not only helped CPS there, but helps the children, and us. They are not there just for the kids, but for the foster parents as well.
All the way around, having CASA in Abilene is a win-win situation.
It is sad that this CPS Office and the Judges do not see it that way. Bring CASA into Abilene and see the difference.
Max M.
October 18, 2012 at 11:40 am
