QuestionsCategory: Service (Volunteer Advocacy)Are your CASAs at Family Decision Meetings?
Greg Dalton Staff asked 5 years ago

Hi folks, I need some input/advice from the network before I proceed on this issue. I recently had a CASA contact me with a concern about a family’s attorney who didn’t want him in the Family Decision Meeting. We have never had this issue and for the most part work very well with all our attorneys and are always welcome in team meetings. This attorney, however, has expressed some distrust of CASAs and has also made statements that are not very nice about CASAs.

Here is an email she sent to our CASA:

“I want to clarify your authority as a CASA pursuant to the statute: you may not attend any meeting(s) with my client unless I specifically okay it; this includes FDMs as well as informal meetings we may have with the caseworker.

Also, you may not discuss my client with DHS or any agency, as that too exceeds the legal authority of a CASA according to the statute as well.”

Some of this I agree with, the CASA should get the attorney’s permission to meet with their client. The CASA should discuss with DHS issues/needs/concerns about parents, but only directed at the child’s needs.
My plan is to speak with this attorney first to see if we can improve this issue, then check in with our Child Welfare Director, and discuss this with our judge.
I appreciate any input on this, suggestions, etc.

1 Answers
Greg Dalton Staff answered 5 years ago

Hi Greg – agreed re: the parts you noted you agree with. One resource that may be shared: Per the OCN MOU with DHS, attending agency-led meetings such as FDMs is a part of the CASAs’ roles and responsibilities: 3.1.6. Attend and participate in all court proceedings, Citizen Review Boards, and agency-led meetings regarding the child as appropriate and consistent with CASA program standards. 
There’s a copy of the signed DHS-OCN MOU in the File Library (if you search for “MOU” you’ll find the state level one plus many local ones, incl. Coos County).

en_USEnglish