RBC I “The big thing with that awareness is understanding that it is something that’s happening in our community” said Traci Gurley-Tomashosky, Executive Director of CASA of the Ninth, an advocacy organization for abused and neglected children in the 9th Judicial District of Colorado. She spoke with the HT this week to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month in April.
Last year in the 9th Judicial District (Rio Blanco, Garfield, Pitkin counties) 2,341 calls were made to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Of those calls, more than 1,500 were moved to “open assessments and referrals.”
Those who call to report suspected abuse (often educators) make use of a confidential number to do so, which is 1-844-CO4KIDS or 1-844-264-5437. “All of those calls are counted, and all of those stories are heard, so it matters, it really matters,” said Tomashosky, adding, “If you see something, say something.”
“CASA” is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocate, a volunteer who, following extensive background checks and special training, can be appointed by a judge to a child abuse/neglect case. Tomashosky described these volunteers as the “North Star” for children of all ages who may need support following abuse or neglect, trauma, being separated from family members, a whirlwind of court dates, foster families, forensic interviews and so on.
Volunteer advocates can assist children in a variety of ways, from offering emotional support to assessing safety and living conditions, among other activities.
“It’s kind of a really good friendship, a supportive person for that child,” said Brittney Shonk, Supervising Director for CASA volunteers in Rio Blanco County. As part of her job, she coordinates training and offers ongoing support for local volunteers who aspire to become CASAs, or who already have been assigned to a case. “Volunteers like to participate in school, check up with teachers, check grades and help them if they’re falling behind, observe visitation between parents, go to the park, go to the library and read,” said Shonk, speaking from personal experience. As one of the first RBC volunteers for CASA in 2018, she recalled feeling “rattled” by some of the early training materials “I remember sitting in those trainings, and she put something up on the whiteboard and we’d have to listen to a recording, and I just, my jaw hit the floor, this is really what life is like. Some kid is really making this 911 call right now,” said Shonk.
Shonk completed training, and began the important work of advocating for and amplifying the needs of local children who have suffered abuse and neglect.
“All the children we serve here, it’s right here. It’s not somewhere else in the state. It’s not in some faraway place. It’s all the kids right here that most of us know, and it’s pretty staggering,” Shonk said.
Ultimately, CASA staff and volunteers aim to promote the best case outcomes for children, whether that means “bringing their voice to court,” or helping them find “a safe, permanent forever home” for those who wind up in foster care long-term. According to Executive Director Tomashosky, children who have CASAs on their case are far less likely to have social/emotional trauma, drop out of school, or re-enter the court system later in life.
While not everyone is able to volunteer for what can be a very emotionally taxing job, there are other ways to help create better outcomes for children, including one most directly associated with CASA’s work. “Keeping our kids in foster homes locally is something that’s really important, and something that we really need in Rio Blanco County especially,” said Tomashosky. Shonk reiterated that local foster homes allow children in need of a safe place to — despite any trauma — remain connected to their community, attend school and see their friends, which can help children achieve permanence after trauma faster.
Lastly, aside from memorizing the mantra, “if you see something, say something,” and knowing how to report suspected child abuse/neglect, people can also support CASA’s work via donations and fundraisers. Smoking River Brewery is a local example of this type of support. For the month of April, the brewery is offering a $1 donation for every pint sold of a special Doppelbock beer.
Additional efforts to raise awareness of the issue this month include flyers around town, and blue pinwheels at the RBC courthouse, meant to catch the attention of passersby, all places you can find more information, including the confidential hotline for reporting suspected abuse. That number is 1-844-264-5437.
For those looking to volunteer, ask questions or otherwise get involved locally, email Brittney Shonk ([email protected]) “Just be that friend, who is there to support them through a very scary time, a very unsure time of their lives, and it creates some really special bonds, and trusting relationships between our volunteers and our kids,” said Shonk.
You can find more information at casaoftheninth.org
By LUCAS TURNER | [email protected]om
