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Washington County CASA Volunteers Make a Difference in Helping Children Caught in Crisis
By Earl Bugaile

Mitzi Miller saw and experienced a lot during her years as a Washington County CASA.

She saw broken families, and abused and neglected children and she stood up for those children in court to protect their best interests. Those cases only helped prepare her for one that touched her the most, and what led her to ultimately help three abused children find a home with a loving and caring family who happened to be in the right place at the right time.

For those who are unfamiliar with the terminology, a CASA is a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children caught between abusive or difficult situations in their home, and the judicial system, not only in Washington County, but across the United States. Currently, Pennsylvania has 20 CASA programs in 22 jurisdictions. Washington County is one of them.

Washington County CASA for Kids was formed in 2003. Since that time, it has advocated for more than 500 children. Ms. Miller is one of the 30+ active volunteers who have given of her time to help children in need.

Her most memorable case began in 2013 when she was called upon to advocate for a family of children caught in a bad situation in their home. The situation took several years of work, but for the children, it resulted in finding a new adoptive family. But it was only by the determination of the new family and Ms. Miller that the story had a happy ending.

The mother of the adoptive family and her husband of 30 years were about to send the last of their four sons off to school after high school graduation, and said that they had always considered adopting another boy, but the time had never seemed right before. The couple had even considered adopting a pair of siblings as well, and so they began the process of paperwork that is required in all adoptions.

The couple turned down several offers to adopt an infant, but jumped at the chance to adopt children from the same family who were being removed from their home environment through CASA when abuse was discovered in the natural home. There were three girls and a boy who were in need.

The new family jumped at the chance to take in the four children, with Ms. Miller helping coordinate the move and the children’s adjustment to their new home. The early transition included some difficult times and support of counselors, but the three sisters transitioned to their new home, while the boy was moved to another family.

CASA Jackie Yohe is another advocate who, in the past 12 years as an advocate, has followed through on numerous cases, some resulting in ultimate adoption. Her current case has been in the process for over five years. She became a CASA as the result of encouragement of a friend.

' “(She) asked me if I wanted to take the (training) class and I had two of my own kids,” she said. Her friend persisted and Ms. Yohe attended the class. “I just fell in love with the idea of helping other kids.”

She has had six cases with 12 children altogether. Her current case involving four boys, three of whom were adopted by an aunt in West Virginia, and the adoption will completed on the fourth boy in the near future.

“I feel pride in helping (CASA) children,” she said, even though her current case involves a drive to West Virginia. “I talk to (the children) weekly and I feel connected to them. You develop an attachment to the children and you really fall in love with them.”

Not all CASA volunteers are women. Gary Young is one of several male Advocates, who besides owning his own business, finds time to represent a young brother and sister, who both have special needs. Both are living with foster families through his efforts to remove them from an abusive situation in their home.

He admits being a male helped him in dealing with the children’s natural father. He has been working on the case during the three years he has been a CASA.

As far as personal rewards for being a CASA, Mr. Young says they come with small victories on behalf of the two children as they were able to find stability in their current homes.

“It’s seeing them get the surgeries and medical care they need, and to be part of getting them in a foster care setting,” he said. “I don’t have any problem being confrontational with authority figures who are not doing what they should be doing. I think there are women CASAs that do that too. It’s part of being a CASA.

Washington County CASA’s 31 volunteers are currently Advocating for some 61 children, however, there are more than 16 children currently on the Waiting List to get a CASA volunteer. To that end, CASA is in the middle of a recruiting effort to find new Advocates to take the training program and ultimately take on the growing list of children in need.

Washington County CASA will be hosting a series of Open Houses for perspective Advocates in September. Volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, and be able to pass FBI and PA Child Abuse background checks. Volunteers will receive 30 hours of in-service training, and six hours of court observation prior to being sworn in as an advocate. Classes will begin in October.

Information about becoming a CASA volunteer is available at the CASA website: www.casawashingtoncounty.org on Facebook at www.facebook.com/casawashingtoncounty or by calling the CASA office at 724-228-0414.

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