When Craig Davis underwent training to volunteer for helping abused and neglected children, he had no idea he would become so attached to them.
Volunteers at The Athens County Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem program, serve as appointed advocates for children who have suffered abuse or neglect, said Jenny Stotts, executive director of CASA/GAL and assistant campus coordinator of Ohio University’s social work program. These advocates help to care for these children while they are in foster care, forge a relationship with significant adults in the child’s life, as well as his or her siblings.
“Up until last week, I was not going to do a case. I’ve got work to do, my kids, all these things going on,” Davis, an assistant professor at OU, said. “(But) somewhere along the way, I said, ‘the universe is telling me something here.’ ”
Just more than half of the 93 children in the non-profit program are assigned to a volunteer due to an insufficient number of volunteers in the program. The rest are cared for by Stotts.
The children are anywhere between infancy and 18 years of age.
Davis said a friend of his recommended him to serve on the executive board of CASA/GAL, which he has done for “four or five” months, but he chose to volunteer.
“I found that, for me, the way I learn is to be able to experience what other people are experiencing,” Davis said of his reasoning for taking the steps to become a volunteer as well as a board member.
Two of the 10 board members, not including Davis, also serve as volunteers. To complete the volunteer process, one must be at least 21 years old, have completed the 30-hour training session, offered twice per year, and submit at least three references.
“During the pre-service training, volunteers learn how to properly gather information on cases, find appropriate documents, appear in court, recommend services to children and families, monitor case plans and court orders and keep the court informed,” according to a CASA/GAL news release.
Stotts said she then interviews the applicants and performs thorough background checks before the volunteer can be assigned to a case.
Davis and the other volunteers will be assigned one child to meet with monthly and monitor their cases of abuse or neglect by going to any court hearings that may arise, attending Children Services meetings and meeting with any significant adults in the child’s life.
Davis will be assigned a case in February, but could not comment on specifics of the case due to legal restrictions.
“Along the way, I see these people (in the program, and) they’re like angels,” Davis said. “They don’t want any money, they don’t want any recognition at all. They just want to help.”
@KellyPFisheR
kf398711@ohiou.edu
