By Sandra Michaud
How do we keep at-risk children and families from falling through the cracks? That was the question posed to panelists and audience alike at the final Thursday Forum for 2015 at the WNMU Miller Library.
Alena Johnson, a foster parent; Richard Anderson, County Office Manager of the Grant County CYFD (Children, Youth and Families Department) Office; Bianca Padilla, program Coordinator of the Juvenile Probation Office and Jeanine Jones of WNMU’s School of Social Work were on the panel and Anita Roberts of CASA of Grant and Luna Counties moderated.
Roberts began by explaining how the CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocates – program worked. She said that the CASA volunteers are appointed by the court and talk with various people involved in the case, from the children, parents, and foster parents to medical experts, school staff and others involved in the case and compile a report for the judge to read before the hearing. The children are abused and/or neglected and the volunteer stays involved until the case is closed.