Interview with Katie Pelczar
Community Outreach Coordinator
Court cases involving families with children are emotional and complex, but Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire bring compassion, integrity and respect to the process. Community Outreach Coordinator, Katie Pelczar , explains CASA volunteers are ordinary people who step forward to advocate in New Hampshire’s court system for children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Volunteers spend time getting to know the child or children they are working with and gather information from the important adults in each child’s life so they can make qualified, unbiased recommendations to a judge about what they believe to be in the best interests of the child. The CASA’s role is not over until the child is in a safe, permanent home or another permanent solution is in place. Pelczar says “people who care about kids and want to make a difference would make great CASAs”.
CASA was initiated when a New Hampshire woman, Marcia Sink, noticed the guardian ad litem for her foster child never once asked her about the child. She then saw an article about the national CASA program and discovered there wasn’t a program in NH, so she started one. That was 36 years ago and CASA has given nearly 12,000 New Hampshire children a voice in District and Family Courts and a chance at a brighter future.
Pelczar remembers a success story that involved a CASA volunteer who was able to offer information to a judge that resulted in three teenagers being reunited with their mother. The advocate saw the mother making progress in her treatment program and knew she had bought a trailer to create a home for her family. Without the volunteer advocating for the children, they likely would have been placed in foster homes. CASA created a better outcome.
CASA offers virtual information sessions twice a month for potential volunteers which can lead to applying online to join the program. The next step is an interview over Zoom where the volunteer is determined to be a good fit. They need both the right temperament and the time to devote to cases which can last a year or sometimes longer. Because a CASA volunteer is an officer of the court, they have a limited role in the child’s life. They develop a trusting relationship with the child while maintaining professional boundaries. For instance, advocates aren’t allowed to give gifts or transport case children or parents.
Training of volunteers is extensive. CASA offers a 40-hour pre-service training. There are a variety of options available for completing the training. For instance, some sessions are broken down into ten 4-hour units occurring twice a week for five weeks while others include five full 8-hour days and wrap up in less than a month.
Most of CASA’s funding comes from state and federal agencies, some grants and an annual fundraiser. Pelczar is appreciative of the funding provided by The Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction because it helps train volunteers and provide support so the CASA volunteer can be successful in their role.
Article written by Beth Osgood Dodge. If you are a Greater Lakes Region Children's Auction funded nonprofit contact Beth at beth03253@gmail.com to arrange an interview and let us spread awareness for your mission!
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