Sabrina Christian Bennett introduced our speakers this afternoon

 

 

The Honorable Patricia Smith, along with the Executive Director of Portage County’s CASA program (Court Appointed Special Advocate), Ann Walden, shared details of the organization, whose origins date back to ’77 in Seattle, Washington, and has exploded into 49 states today.  The effect the program has had on millions of children across the country is undeniable and well-documented.

 

The essence of the program is to advocate for disadvantaged children who are victims of dysfunctional family environments.  The whole notion of advocacy is centered around the idea to listening to children as a method of gathering information, to determine what their greatest needs might be – emotionally, psychologically, etc.

 

To accomplish this, Judge Smith has stepped outside her traditional role, and has immersed herself in the after-effects that a ruling may have on these children, and how best to address their ongoing needs to develop better long-term outcomes.

 

Qualified volunteer efforts, coordinated by Ann Walden, become the ears and the voices of these children.   In coordination with the court, they play a major role in shaping the decisions judges like Patricia Smith must make, that will have a lasting impact.

 

Today’s responder to the program was Brian K Bialik.