Giving back to the community as a voice for neglected kids in court

When Charla Easley retired from teaching a couple of years ago, she was looking for a positive way to make a difference in her community.

"I wanted to give back, but I just didn't want to donate my time to just anything," the former school educator said. "I wanted to make a real difference."

The 56-year-old Arlington woman found a calling through Child Advocates of Tarrant County, a volunteer group that represents children in the court and foster care systems.

Officials counted 1,776 neglected or abused children living in foster care in Tarrant County in 2007. The nonprofit organization has 130 advocates serving 400 children. More volunteers are needed.

When children enter foster care, the judicial system may designate a court-appointed special advocate, or CASA, to help them.

These advocates become the voice of each child -- in court, with family members, in school or in agency meetings -- until the case is closed or until the child finds a permanent, safe home.

That's one-on-one attention with just one child or a set of siblings. No one gets lost in the system.

"We're the voice for the child. We're on their side and trying to do what's best for them," she said.

Prospective volunteers receive at least 30 hours of training before they work with a child and continue to get training and support from CASA staff members.

Easley, who teaches developmental studies part-time at Hill College in Burleson, makes time to get to know her child appointees, research case records and speak to everyone involved in the child's life, including family members, teachers, doctors, lawyers, social workers and others. She then makes written and oral recommendations to the court regarding her client's current and future needs.

She said many CASA volunteers work 40 hours a week and still find time to serve.

"The Child Advocates of Tarrant County have also made more training programs available so it's easier for people to volunteer and get involved," she said.

Some children do return to their parents, usually after a nearly yearlong process that requires parents to attend classes or meet requirements that show stability and allow them to earn the right to bring their children home.

Easley has overseen two cases in the past 2 1/2 years. In one case, the children were eventually adopted by a relative. In the other, the children were given back to their parents, "so everything worked out."

Both cases were rewarding, but Easley said she was especially glad to see the children in one case adopted by a relative.

"It looked like the children were going to be put into the foster system permanently when the Lord just sent a relative who said they could take them," she said, adding that the adoption ceremony was special, too. "Those children held hands outside the courthouse, singing 'I've been adopted' at the top of their little lungs."

Advocates tell children at the beginning of each case "you'll always be in my heart, but one day you won't need me." Most don't remain in touch with their small clients, though Easley has remained in contact with the children she represented through e-mails and telephone calls.

Easley, who spent 30 years as a teacher, said she had seen the "progression of the family deteriorate" during her years as an educator and wanted to volunteer where she could make a difference in those circumstances.

"I was looking for something I could do to help the family situation in society, and CASA fit the bill," she said.

Child advocates

What: Become a court-appointed special advocate through the nonprofit organization Child Advocates of Tarrant County.

How can I get involved? Volunteer as an advocate or donate money to the nonprofit through its Halo Society, an auxiliary group that provides financial and volunteer support.

For more information: Call 817-877-5891 or go to www.speakupforachild.org or www.halosociety.com.