By SYDNEY KENT
“This program would not happen without the volunteers,” Ginny Vogel said with a hand firmly over her heart. “They give so much love, time, and patience. They give so much of themselves for the kids they work with — it is really about their passion for youth in our county that this program is up and running.”
Vogel, the director of Wells County CASA, is referencing the volunteers who make up the program. A ‘CASA’ is a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
In chapters of CASA across the country, volunteers go through specific training before being sworn into the court. CASAs are then assigned to “Child in Need of Services” — or CHINS, for short — cases going through the court system. A child may fall into this category after a report of neglect or abuse.
CASAs learn more about the child and who is involved in the child’s life, engage with people in the case, and make recommendations from this information. A CASA is there to communicate with the court what the child wants, as well as what they believe to be in the best interest of that child.
Vogel’s passion for serving children was a critical component of bringing the program to the county. She said that Judge Kenton Kiracofe shared a similar passion. The two worked together to bring the dream to fruition.
The Wells County CASA program became nationally certified in August 2020. The first five volunteers, along with Vogel, were sworn in four months later. Vogel was recognized for her outstanding efforts in November when she was named Volunteer of the Year.
Care And Special Attention
Lynne Niermeyer, a retired educator of over 34 years, said she first learned about the program during a conversation with Vogel. Her decision to join was propelled by the timing of the conversation. Though Niermeyer was approaching retirement, she was still working as an educator. There was a young girl in her school district that Niermeyer felt could have used a voice which amplified Niermeyer’s passion.
Niermeyer joined the second training group in the county, accepting her first case several months later. She has since been a CASA for six families, 11 children in total. Though a CASA may choose to hold one case at a time, Niermeyer currently has three cases.
“Ginny let us know that the next time a case comes up,” Niermeyer paused. “That she would have to tell the judge we were at capacity. If there was a case, I wanted any children to be represented by a CASA. I told her I would take it if another one came up.”
Niermeyer said that the role of a CASA is to advocate for the best interest of the child, however, that process often involves championing that child’s parents.
“There was a mother that failed a drug screen after so many clean screens,” Niermeyer recounted. “She was crying in the meeting — she was disappointed in herself. The case has to take a backward step for the safety of this child. Everyone at the table went around and took turns highlighting something positive about her.”
Niermeyer said that being a CASA has given her a greater purpose in her life. The experience has allowed her to stay connected to serving children in retirement. She also said the social aspect has been helpful, as well.
Niermeyer has even begun writing a book about her experience as a CASA while taking special care to protect the information of those involved. She said that Vogel’s support has been incredible during her volunteering experience.
Pam Blessing, a CASA in the same training group, wholeheartedly echoed this sentiment. Blessing is a retired Medical Technologist who concluded her career at Bluffton Regional Medical Center.
“Once you get involved, you realize the need that is there,” Blessing said. “That is what inspires me now — the kids that need the help. You might think that because you are in Bluffton, there’s nothing very serious going on. But being from a small town does not preclude you from the uglier parts of things like child abuse.”
Blessing also said that though multiple cases have started in Wells County, the children in them have had to move to Jay County or Muncie to find an available foster home. She continues to visit the children in their respective placements.
“You want to be the one to make a difference,” Blessing said. “Once it is over you’re not able to reach out to them. They can reach out to you, but you don’t always know how it all turns out after time has passed.”
Niermeyer expressed a similar sentiment. She said she received an unexpected text that gave her joy and peace long after a case had closed. The text was from the child’s mother. It read, “365 Days SOBER!”
“Take the training,” Blessing said to anyone considering becoming a CASA who may be uncertain. “Baby step your way into it. Someone more seasoned will help you along. Everyone has the same nerves and jitters when you write that first court report. Ginny is there every step of the way. You’ll figure this out.”
More men are needed
Vogel emphasized the need for more male CASA volunteers in the courtroom. She said that over half of the children in CHINS cases are male.
“While us women do a fine job in working with these boys and young men,” Vogel said. “I feel like having a male role model in their lives is something they need and could learn from. I think that they also bring a different perspective to our group.”
Jeff Kohrman, a grandfather of 23 and a Wells County CASA, agreed with Vogel’s assessment.
“Last week, I was at a court hearing,” Kohrman recounted. “It was me, the judge and about 15 ladies. That shows the disparity of the mix. There is a definite need for men to be involved in the CASA program. It is not a sacrifice or another obligation. It is fulfilling to make a big difference in the life of a little one.”
Kohrman said the most rewarding aspect has been witnessing a positive outcome to a case, whether that be reunification, adoption, or permanency with a foster family.
“It’s knowing these children are in a safe place,” Kohrman continued. “They are being nurtured (and) they are being loved and cared about. When you interact with them — they are innocence personified. It is our responsibility as adults to help take care of that part of our world that needs help and is defenseless in some ways. Children to me are such a vital part of our society. I love my grandkids and I thought — this is something I can help someone else’s child with. That’s why I do it.”
Where CASA began
It was the plight of a voiceless three-year-old girl who sustained injuries — believed to be from child abuse — that ultimately gave birth to the CASA movement. As the late Seattle Juvenile Judge David W. Soukup looked around the courtroom, he did not see anyone there to represent her. The decision to permanently alter the trajectory of her life, without enough information, weighed heavily on him.
“There is no one else in that courtroom whose only function in that case is to provide a recommendation based on the child’s needs,” Soukup said in a video on the organization’s website. “Everyone else has a role. No one else can do that but a volunteer CASA or a guardian ad litem.”
Soukup also became a CASA after he retired, noting that it was one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.
Wells County CASAs have the option to meet weekly, as well as at a regular monthly luncheon. During that time, Vogel said the group can share experiences, ask for advice, and talk about things like compassion fatigue. During this time, CASAs also learn from a keynote speaker. The monthly meetings count towards the 12 hours of training that are required annually for a CASA.
Anyone with an interest in becoming a CASA volunteer or learning more information about the program should contact Director Ginny Vogel at 260-273-9877 or by email at ginnyvogel24@gmail.com.
sydney@news-banner.com
