CASA volunteer makes a difference in the lives of children

Pattie Quinn is a teacher at Tanaina Elementary School. She is also a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for the Valley CASA Program. As a kindergarten teacher, she loves being at the beginning of a child's education. As a CASA, she can also be at the beginning of a child's journey to a better life.

An 18-year resident of Wasilla, Quinn was ready for a challenge when her youngest child entered high school. The CASA program has provided her with not only a challenge, but an opportunity to stretch beyond career and everyday responsibilities. Quinn said her heart continues to expand as she advocates for abused and neglected children in custody of the Department of Family and Youth Services, state of Alaska.

As a teacher, one of her roles is to educate parents of young children to support what the kids are doing in school. As a CASA, her role is to educate the court on what the kids are doing in school, in foster placement, in counseling and in visitations with their parents. She believes CASAs see the "darker side" of Valley life when relating to troubled families.

Quinn said she sees her role as making the life of the children brighter through her involvement. Then, she shares with the court that her young advocates deserve a brighter life than the darkness they have known through abuse and neglect in the home. She advocates for effective relationships, consistent nurturing, and healthy attachments during the critical early years. She believes kids deserve it and requests the court consider what is in the best interest of the children.

As a CASA, Quinn views herself as a fan club of one for each child. As a parent and teacher, Quinn is aware most children have support systems; children in foster care often have little to no support when first entering the system. She is a fan and a spokesperson for each child assigned to her. She finds it rewarding to take a puzzle and carefully (through investigation), put the pieces in place for the court. Her energy comes from being connected to everyone involved in a child's life and objectively understanding the issues so they can be shared with the court. In the words of the National CASA Association, Quinn has become "a powerful voice in a child's life."

Is CASA volunteer work for everyone? Quinn believes advocating for a child is not optional volunteer work. It is critical work, and once a case is accepted, there is no turning back until the child is in a permanent home. A CASA for the past 18 months, Quinn has made a positive difference in the life of her young advocates. She offers credit to her principal, Scott Daugharty, for his support and for valuing families and children. Occasionally, she needs to be in court or DFYS during the school day and Daugharty has helped enable her to be there.

The Valley CASA program is training new volunteers in March. If you want to make a difference in the life of an abused or neglected child in state custody, please attend an informational meeting to learn more about the program. The next meeting is Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the MTA Headquarters building in Palmer.

For more information, interested people may contact Pamela Holen, volunteer coordinator, at 761-3737 or vcasa@pobox.mtaonline.net.