August 17, 2007
Copyright 2007 - The Post-Journal, Jamestown NY
8/17/2007 - At a recent monthly volunteer meeting Jean Ingerson, executive director, and Kathy Park, case advocate supervisor of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Chautauqua County, Inc. presented the idea of raising money to purchase copies of a newly publicized book ‘‘Just For Now: Kids and the People of the Court.’’ Janet Arnold, CASA volunteer, jumped at the chance to help out.
The 48-page hardcover picture book ‘‘Just For Now: Kids and the People of the Court’’ idea came from a Houston, Texas based CASA program called Child Advocates, Inc. One of their advocate volunteers approached the development director of Child Advocates Inc. stating she had an idea for an educational tool for children in foster care. The director did not take her seriously as he knew that volunteers often have great ideas but lack the time, money or dedication to follow through.
However, with much perseverance the advocate volunteer pressed on along with a colleague to present a formal business plan involving their community and receiving feedback that was overwhelmingly positive.
As the ball began rolling, a writer was introduced to put the story together with input from volunteers, former foster kids and friends.
In ‘‘Just For Now: Kids and the People of the Court,’’ a sister and brother who have been home alone for a week meet a Child Protective Services caseworker who takes them to a foster home. The children meet several authority figures. They also meet other foster kids. One boy’s parents are in jail. Another girl has abusive parents and needs a new home. The sister and brother have a mother with an addiction problem.
The storybook defines legal words on each page. Plus, there’s an extended glossary in the back.
The original story had the kids going home, but going home is not always the outcome. So they don’t go home — mom is working on it.
The book cuts through the jargon providing adults a script for talking to kids about what’s happening and gives the kids something more substantial than a pamphlet or fact sheet.
Adults will benefit most from the story, because it humanizes and demystifies what a child advocate does. As interest among counselors, librarians, family-practice lawyers, law guardians, social service workers, police organizations and child groups across the country grows, it is clear how the vision of one caring advocate volunteer came about.
Ingerson said, ‘‘This book has the potential of impacting a lot of children and families. It not only benefits CASA and the CASA volunteers, but the judge, law guardians, Child Protection Services, Department of Social Services and law enforcement as well as the story introduces each entity at the child’s level.’’
The book also introduces a user’s guide designed to help the reader understand the many ways in which you can effectively use ‘‘Just For Now’’ in casework. The user’s guide may be printed out and duplicated, and it may be modified for personal needs.
‘‘Just For Now’’ is a unique book made possible with underwriting from The Meadows Foundation, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and Bridgeway Charitable Foundation. Spanish and English editions are being produced simultaneously.
The Hon. Judith Claire, family court judge, is wishing to obtain a book for each child in foster care with additional copies being placed in the family court waiting rooms and the child care center.
‘‘We would sincerely appreciate any support the community, local civic organizations and businesses can provide us in purchasing these books,’’ said Janet Arnold, local CASA volunteer. ‘‘We have no doubt that they will be a useful resource to provide easy to understand information about the court process, while developing positive connections for the CASA volunteer and children.’’
Ingerson said, ‘‘It is CASA’s goal to purchase 200 books, at $10 each, to be given to the CASA children currently in the foster care system, the family court waiting areas, law guardians and for future cases/children. Along with Lake Shore Savings, we have also received donations from the law offices of Fessenden, Laumer & DeAngelo and Brautigam & Brautigam, LLP’’.
To obtain more information on ‘‘Just For Now: Kids and the People of the Court,’’ log onto www.childadvocates.org or call the local CASA of Chautauqua Co., Inc. program at 753-4123.
To send a donation, mail to CASA of Chautauqua Co., Inc., Community Municipal Building, 2 Academy St., Suite 5, Mayville, NY 14757.
For further information about the CASA program or becoming an advocate for abused or neglected children, contact CASA at 753-4123.
CASA of Chautauqua County, Inc. is partially funded by the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, the Unified Court System of the State of New York, Interest on Lawyer Account, private and public grants and private donations. |