The “system” is overwhelmed with child abuse and neglect cases, said John Nelson, a former family law specialist, judge and deputy sheriff and now board president of Voices for Children, a Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) organization in Montrose.
With cases pilling up in judges’ chambers and at social services, the reality is that even though a child’s future hangs in the balance, information can be overlooked.
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There are, however, people out there advocating for children. These people are not social workers, lawyers or judges. They are volunteers ” ranging in age and professional backgrounds ” and are the “Nancy Drews” who make sure the child’s best interest is heard.
“We talk with anyone with any connection with the child and gather information to make our recommendation where this child should go,” five-year child advocate volunteer Nancy Griepentrog said.
A CASA volunteer doesn’t determine where a child should be placed, that is the judge’s job, but they do make recommendations from their hours of research ” with no agenda, but to make sure the child ends up in a safe environment.
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