CLINTON — The DeWitt County Court will begin using a new resource in the most complicated cases of child neglect and abuse.  

Circuit Judge Karle Koritz announced that the Macon County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program has agreed to assign a volunteer to DeWitt County to assist in such cases in which the court must determine where and with whom a child victim of abuse or neglect may be provided with the best care.  Judge Koritz said he was hopeful that the services of a CASA would reduce the length of time a child spends in foster care, while the case progresses through the court system.   

Thousands of Illinois children each year are confirmed victims of abuse or neglect.  When a child is made a ward of the court after such a finding, a complicated chain of events is set in motion to find a safe, permanent home for the child as soon as possible.  At the beginning of the process, the child is often removed from the care of his parents and placed with a suitable care provider outside of the home.  The foster parent is often a relative, but sometimes placement with a relative is not possible or suitable.  

The most desirable, permanent goal is usually to return the child to the parent, but this cannot be done until the court determines that the parent is able and willing to care for, protect, train, and discipline the child without jeopardizing the child’s health, safety, and best interests.  It may take considerable time for the court to know whether this determination can be made or if it may ever be made.

Attorneys are appointed for the parents.  A guardian ad litem (usually a public defender) is appointed for the child. DCFS or a designated child welfare agency conducts background investigations and arranges for services and counseling for the child and the parents.  The child’s wellbeing in his foster home is continuously monitored.  A great deal of time and resources are spent to achieve “permanence” for the child.  

Permanence might mean a return to the parent’s care, permanent guardianship, adoption after termination of parental rights, or independence.

Illinois ranks last among the 50 states in the length of time a child remains in foster care until permanency is reached.  At just over 28 months, Illinois is nearly twice the national average.

In larger counties, a CASA may be appointed. CASA volunteers serve as the eyes and ears of the court. They independently obtain information and report the circumstances of their assigned cases.  They work closely with the parties and other people involved in the case to assess and advocate the best interest of the child.  CASA volunteers are generally considered by judges to be an invaluable resource in complicated cases.   

Unfortunately, CASA offices require funding and an abundance of volunteers.  They are almost exclusively the province of larger counties, according to Judge Koritz. 

 “Smaller counties are particularly disadvantaged,” Koritz said, “because we do not have the population and resources to create specialized juvenile courtrooms.  There is also a considerable disparity in the community services available to citizens such as counseling, treatment alternatives, and a CASA program.”

Seeing a need in DeWitt County, Koritz contacted CASA offices in larger neighboring counties to see if they would be willing to assign a CASA volunteer to DeWitt County. Macon County CASA stepped up to the plate. The CASA board in Macon County saw an opportunity to serve more children in need.  

“For us, it was a question of whether we could help our neighbor or dwell on the fact that we weren’t serving every child here,” said Macon County CASA Program Director Steve Miller.  “We chose to help our neighbor in a small way.”  

Koritz praised Macon County CASA.  

“At a time when local CASA organizations all over the state are experiencing strained resources, Steve Miller and the Macon County CASA board made the decision that assigning one of their volunteers to DeWitt County in appropriate cases would be consistent with their mission to advocate for children,” Koritz said. “They could have said they were stretched too thin to help, but they held themselves to a higher standard.” 

Koritz and Miller hope this relationship can improve the quality of life for the children and parents served in DeWitt County.  Miller further hopes that a presence in DeWitt County may encourage residents here to volunteer. 

“We are always looking for qualified individuals to serve as CASA volunteers.”  Miller said interested people are encouraged to visit www.maconcountycasa.org to learn how to volunteer or contribute.