What Three Weeks?

Um, wow, that was three weeks? Really?? It just went by so darn fast!

Jeramy left yesterday for another three weeks out on the rig. The big reason that these last three weeks went by so fast was the 30 hours of CASA training that I went through. And now, 5 full days of class later, I am certified to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate. In a nutshell, what I'll be doing is this.

When a child is removed from their home by CPS for abuse and/or neglect they are placed in a foster home with up to 7 other foster children. A CPS caseworker is assigned to them and they are one of 40 or so cases for that caseworker. The child is provided with an attorney and they are one of 50 or so cases for that lawyer. Their case will go before a judge every few months and they are one of hundreds of children that judge sees. If I am assigned to that child they will be my only case. Fort Bend County is one of the very few counties that are able to provide a CASA for each and every child that have been removed from their home. I will monitor the child's situation and write a report for court one a month so that all involved will have a personal account of what's going on with that child. I am required to meet face to face with the child at least once a month, more if possible. I will interview their caregiver, their parents, their lawyer, their teacher, their doctor, anyone that can give me information that will help me make suggestions concerning their placement and their needs.

I've wanted to do this for about four years now, but just haven't ever felt like I could give it all that I wanted and needed to. I've wanted to do this because it is needed and because I feel so blessed for this life that I have. I'm lucky as hell, I know that. I'm lucky that I hve such a strong mom and such a great step-dad and that I got steered in the right direction. My support system growing up was endless and I think that's what gets me the most. If my parents gave up on me there would have been a line a mile long of suitable people that loved me and would have taken me in and given me all they had. These kids I'll work with, most of them don't have a single person. Not a single person that wants to care for them and can care for them. My hope is that I can provide a ray of hope and a set of eyes and ears to watch over a child that so many others have abandoned. My hope is that I can give back.

So now I wait for my first case. I have requested a pre-teen/teenager. And that's pretty much all I can say about that. Once I get a case, I'm not allowed to talk about it for obvious reasons.

To those that have encouraged me through the application and training process....Thank You!