A word about the recent “Failed to Death” articles

A word about the recent articles from the Colorado CASA board:

On behalf of the statewide network of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), our hearts go out to the families who have lost a child due to abuse or neglect. Recent reporting by The Denver Post and Channel 9 in their series “Failed to Death” examined the role counties have in preventing child fatalities. We know that every human services department in Colorado cares deeply for the welfare of all children and as a statewide non-profit network of CASA affiliated organizations, we are committed to working collaboratively with our county human service departments, and will continue to partner with them in finding solutions and offering hope to children and youth who have been the victims of child abuse or neglect.

One of the primary roles played by Colorado’s network of CASA programs is to recruit, train and supervise volunteer advocates for children and youth who have come into the court system because of allegations of child abuse and neglect. Under the direction of the presiding judge, formally trained CASA volunteers engage with the child or youth and their network of caregivers, such as parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors and therapists, case workers, Guardian ad Litem attorneys, and others. CASA volunteers provide additional eyes and ears to the cases on which they serve. Volunteers participate as independent child advocates and formalize their observations and recommendations in written reports used by the courts to assist in the complex and difficult decision-making process directly affecting the child or youth.

As a force of more than 77,000 CASA volunteers nationwide and 1,600 CASA volunteers here in Colorado, our volunteers are an integral part of creating solutions to the issue of child abuse and neglect. Becoming a CASA volunteer is a powerful way for concerned citizens in Colorado to make a difference in their communities.