Ask any of my editors over the years and they would agree: I will never pass up a chance to promote CASA Kane County. In fact, I’ve been writing about this nonprofit that advocates for abused and neglected children in our juvenile court system now for almost as long as I’ve been a columnist.
I even got more personally involved for a few years when I became a guardian ad litem, not always the easiest volunteer work but certainly rewarding – and eye opening. Unfortunately, child abuse and neglect cases have continued to rise in our Fox Valley communities, and in fact have grown at what CASA officials describe as “an alarming rate” since the pandemic.
In 2022, CASA Kane County served an all-time high of 625 abused and neglected children. In 2023, that number rose to 663, the highest in the organization’s 35-year history.
Which means there is more need than ever for those highly-trained advocates that act as the voice for these vulnerable youngsters once they enter the juvenile court system.
Jim Di Ciaula, who took over as executive director of CASA Kane County 18 months ago, points to “societal issues” that profoundly impact parents for those “horrible” numbers. Whether it’s self-medicating to deal with their own childhood traumas or because of mental illness or domestic violence – also on the rise since COVID – “parents can’t take care of themselves,” he pointed out, which leaves children even more exposed to situations involving abuse and neglect.
“We know we are making an impact, one child at a time,” Di Ciaula told me, but quickly added that, in order to stem the tide of these rising numbers, CASA needs to do more.
“We are reacting to what is put in front of us. And we will continue to respond to those immediate needs,” he insisted. “But we must start having conversations with community leaders – mayors, police, health care, legislators, educators – to understand the state of the state” and then find more aggressive ways to “raise the bar.”
It’s especially important in communities where CASA gets its largest concentration of kids “that we find ways to reduce the number of cases in foster care,” noted Di Ciaula. “It starts with awareness. We have to collectively up the game and let people know what is going on.”
Which is why I’m writing about CASA once again.
In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, CASA Kane County is holding its annual Hands Around the Court House at noon April 4 at the Historic Kane County Courthouse on Third Street in downtown Geneva. The goal is not only for people to learn more about the group and the work that is being done by CASA, but also give serious thought to getting involved.
Attendees will learn more about what they can do through small acts that help protect children, strengthen families and foster the health and well-being of the next generation. Yard signs will be available to take and post at your home or business, along with information regarding CASA, and how you can help prevent child abuse and neglect right here in Kane County.
Among those speaking will be Di Ciaula and Kane County Chief Judge Robert Villa, who likely will remind the crowd just how much those who sit on the bench put their trust in the words of the dedicated guardians ad litem, who are uniquely sworn-in as officers of the court.
Experts point to statistics showing children and youth who have spent time in the child welfare system are more likely to face negative influences such as incarceration, homelessness and unemployment. These kids are also less likely to graduate high school, more likely to be trafficked, and have a one in three chance of continuing this horrible cycle by later abusing their own children.
Those same experts say kids who are partnered with a CASA volunteer are half as likely to re-enter the foster care system; more likely to receive education, medical and other needed services; will experience fewer traumatic moves; and will spend an average of eight months less in the foster care system.
Think about it: Eight months in a young child’s life has to feel like eternity.
Also think about how CASA Kane County is one of the largest CASA organizations in Illinois based on the number of children served, advocating for 100% of the kids who have been in abuse or neglect situations originating in Kane County and following them wherever they are fostered in the state. (To learn more, go to www.casakanecounty.org or call 630-232-4484.)
“We can’t fix a lot of these things but collectively we can take actions to reduce the number of kids in foster care and help the older ones transition to a healthy and more independent life,” said Di Ciaula. “We want to not close the book but open a new chapter.
“This is a very important topic … we need to start changing the story.”
dcrosby@tribpub.com
