Phillips County's worst year for child abuse cases amplifies the importance of CASA

According to statistics from Montana’s Supreme Court, there were 17 new child abuse cases reported in Phillips County in 2015. That is more new cases of child abuse than in 2013 and 2014 combined, and 45-percent more cases than in 2012, the previous worst year on record.

The flood of cases has swamped the child welfare system. The effect has been magnified for CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates – an organization which trains and coordinates everyday citizens to speak out for abused children.

“CASA in Montana began on the Hi-Line, but we have been short of volunteers in the last few years,” said Mark Douglass, the local CASA director. “Last spring I began recruiting and training new advocates, but this huge increase in cases really raises the stakes.”

A CASA Volunteer is appointed by the judge for every abused child to serve as the Court’s eyes and ears. The CASA learns about the child’s individual circumstances and makes fact-based, child-focused recommendations to the Court. However, a significant part of the CASA’s role is to monitor the case, to be sure no child ‘slips through the cracks.’

“With this many cases,” Douglass adds, “the danger of children getting lost in the system is exponentially increased. The social workers, attorneys, doctors, therapists, and counselors are doing everything they can, but I fear we are in very dangerous waters. That really heightens the importance of having a CASA for every child.”

Fulfilling this vital role doesn’t require any previous special knowledge or experience. Every new CASA Volunteer learns everything they need to know in a pre-service training class which meets one night a week over 6 weeks. The next class begins April 25th.

“Every child needs a hero,” adds Douglass, “but an abused child needs a superhero. Becoming a CASA superhero is really about having the heart to serve these amazing kids.”

For more information about CASA, or to find out about joining CASA’s team of Superheroes, please contact Mark at [email protected] or 406-399-4519.