Demand for child protection services runs high

Petitions for child protection services rose dramatically in Kootenai County last year.

The county's number of requests for services for children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect increased by 35 percent in 2016, according to Idaho Supreme Court statistics.

The need for these services went up elsewhere in the state last year also. There was a 19 percent hike in petitions for child protective services in North Idaho and an 11 percent increase statewide.

"As the data is new, the reasons have yet to be determined. But as a result, the costs to organizations that serve these child victims, such as North Idaho CASA, have dramatically risen," said KJ Torgerson, the agency's director.

The First

Judicial District CASA Program, or North Idaho CASA, is a nonprofit, court-appointed program mandated by Idaho's Child Protection Act. CASA's volunteer advocates are entrusted by the courts to look out for the best interests of these children.

Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger said substance abuse by the adult parents and guardians of these kids, particularly abuse of methamphetamine and heroin, are likely the leading causes of the growing need for these services.

Although CASA's services are required by law, the North Idaho CASA program is not adequately funded to provide every child the required services.

"Even as the numbers of children served by CASA have risen 22 percent over five years, the Supreme Court funding has remained essentially the same," said Lora Whalen, Panhandle Health District Director and CASA Board President. "This leaves CASA in the difficult position of fundraising over three quarters of its budget to serve these child victims."

When funds cannot be raised to support the costs to serve the more than 400 children that enter the CASA program each year, CASA has to wait-list, monitor or withdraw from cases. This occurred for 31 cases in 2015 and 18 in 2016.

Despite the economic strain, North Idaho CASA was identified by the National CASA Association as one of the top CASA programs of 941 nationwide in terms of number of children served, cost effectiveness and fiscal responsibility.

To help address funding shortfalls and to increase awareness of the rising problem of child abuse, as well as generate funding, Torgerson created the COEUR d'CASA child sponsorship program. The COEUR d'CASA program was developed to inspire local citizens to help their local children, Torgerson said.

"Just as the saying goes ?It takes a village to raise a child,' so, too, appears to be the case with the sponsorship program," Torgerson said. "Sponsors represent every facet of our village including individuals, businesses, large corporations, clubs and service organizations, and foundations."

Sponsors can choose specific children by age and gender, or donate to the program as a whole. While maintaining child confidentiality, CASA provides quarterly updates to help describe the CPS process for a local child. Sponsors also receive an outcome report when a case closes.

"It is our hope that through this process, individuals in our community will gain awareness of the journey a local child takes to find a safe, loving, forever family," said Kristin Gorringe, principal of Bryan Elementary in Coeur d'Alene and CASA board member.

Since COEUR d'CASA's inception in the fall of 2015, 144 children have been sponsored. The program helps make sure each of these children are represented by a dedicated, skilled advocate. The $850 sponsorship costs go toward expenses that directly serve the child. The funding does not pay for indirect program costs such as accounting, advertising, marketing, fundraising, partner costs, and insurance or bank fees.

COEUR d'CASA sponsorships enable CASA advocates to investigate, monitor and report the circumstances surrounding a child protection case. CASA advocates ensure each child is in a safe home throughout the child's case. The advocates spend time with the children they serve. They help the children understand their situations and the court proceedings. Advocates document findings and provide written reports to the judge and keeps the court informed of developments with services and family members. They advocate for each child's best interests while serving as the child's voice in court. CASA advocates look out for the children's medical, dental and mental health care needs. They advocate for educational assistance and monitor case plans and court orders to ensure they are being followed and hearings are being held. They assist in finding each child a safe, nurturing and permanent home with consistent adult presence.

Advocates also provide supplies and comforts through the CASA Kidz Closet, such as clothing, coats, shoes, diapers, educational supplies, blankets, books and toys, and provide birthday and holiday gifts.

It is proven that children with a CASA advocate have more services ordered, do better in school, are more likely to pass all courses, are less likely to have poor conduct and are less likely to be expelled, Torgerson said.

These kids have a higher sense of acceptance, more controls against deviant behavior, a more positive attitude toward the future, place a higher value on achievement and have a stronger ability to work with others and work out conflicts, she added.

Torgerson noted the cost effectiveness and resulting economic savings to a community in appointing a CASA advocate instead of an attorney or paid guardian ad litem is well-documented. For example, in 2013, CASA volunteers contributed 5.75 million advocacy hours nationwide, equivalent to $290 million in taxpayer dollars if compensated for their service.

In 2016, North Idaho CASA Advocates attended over 3,000 hours of court hearings, contributed an average of 20 hours per initial case investigation and participated in over 2,000 home visits to 229 families. These in-kind contributions provided a savings of over $330,000 to local tax payers.

Nationwide, CASA advocates save hundreds of millions of dollars in child welfare costs, Torgerson said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average cost for each child victim is $210,012 over that victim's lifetime. But, more than 90 percent of children with CASA advocates never re-enter the child welfare system.

To make a general contribution to CASA or for more information about sponsoring a local child through the COEUR d'CASA program, visit NorthIdahoCASA.org or call 208-667-9165.