Volunteer to assist courts in taking care of neglected kids

I am writing to reinforce and support the letter from Sarah Corbally, administrator of the Child and Family Services Division of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, which appeared in the April 13 edition of the Daily Inter Lake.

Ms. Corbally gave a very graphic example of one little boy’s abuse at the hands of his father. She also related the national and statewide situation with respect to abused and neglected children. As abuse and neglect of children continues to grow and state budgets are stretched, it is more of a challenge for social workers and the courts to monitor the children’s’ progress through the court and foster care system.

Flathead County is lucky to have a trained group of Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused and neglected children. These CASAs are responsible to the District Court to monitor foster children’s situation and try to help the children understand what is going on. All of this is done solely in the best interests of the child.

Nationally a child with a CASA volunteer is more likely to find a safe permanent home, get more help in the foster-care system, spend less time in foster care and do better in school. Currently there are approximately 160 abused and neglected kids in temporary foster care in Flathead County and each has a CASA volunteer to help them through the experiences they have endured but more volunteers are needed!

If you are interested in joining a community group that helps abused and neglected kids per Ms. Corbally’s suggestion, please contact Jamie Campbell, Executive Director, CASA for Kids Inc., 755-7208 or casafvmt@centurytel.net.

I can think of few things worse than a little kid being abused or neglected by a parent or anyone in a position of trust! Fortunately, there are people who care and are able to help those kids! CASA is one of those organizations!

McElwain, of Columbia Falls, is president of the board of trustees of CASA for Kids Inc.