SPEAKING UP FOR A CHILD: ADULT VOLUNTEERS MAKE COURT APPEARANCES IN PLACE OF CHILD

The wooden hallway benches fill up by 9:30 a.m. as people enter the Common Pleas Courthouse and wait for their scheduled appearance before a judge. The noise level rises and falls as more people enter through the double doors off Lorimier Street and search for a seat.

Court employees carry envelopes upstairs or return to their office, walking past the waiting crowd as if they weren't there.

Sandra Schmidt is among the crowd on this Thursday because she has to appear before Associate Circuit Judge Pete Statler. Dressed in a simple black sun dress, she arrived early for her 9:30 a.m. appointment and flips through her notes one last time while she waits in the hallway.

But Schmidt isn't a defendant or plaintiff in a court case. She is a Court Appointed Special Advocate, an unpaid volunteer working on behalf of a child who has been abused or neglected.

CASA is a 10-year-old program that allows trained volunteers to serve as the voice for children, who don't attend and often wouldn't understand court proceedings. CASA, which helps children in Cape Girardeau, Perryville, Mo., and Bollinger County, is seeking more volunteers to handle its growing caseload -- 41 active files last month.

The cases assigned to the 24 CASA volunteers are divided into two separate areas: juvenile cases that require more investigation and lengthier court appearances and child protective orders, which can be issued much like the restraining orders adults can request from the court.

Schmidt has been working on child protective orders for most of her time as a CASA volunteer. She's taken on three cases, including one juvenile case, and been called to testify in court as a witness.

Twenty minutes after the scheduled hearing this particular morning, Schmidt enters the courtroom and takes a seat on a back row. Both parents, a bailiff and Winnie Seabaugh, a CASA program administrator, also are in the courtroom.

The judge, seated at the bench, shuffles the pages of the report Schmidt submitted. It includes information about her interviews and conversations with the parents and observations about their interaction with the young child. He speaks to the parents, asking one if this is really what they want.

The parents respond, sometimes both speaking at once, but never look at one another nor do they rise from their seats at separate wooden tables.

If a child protection order is granted, it can keep a parent, grandparent or other individual away from a child for up to one year. Sometimes the orders are amended for shorter periods later if situations change.

There are as many different stories in the courtroom as their are people who enter it, said Statler.

Because Schmidt had a perfect family life growing up, she believes "every child should have that, and this is my way to try and promote it."

Before a case hearing begins, Schmidt will talk to the child involved about what is happening, if the child is old enough to understand. She tries to become a friend who can offer support when the child needs it.

At least once she has been asked to supervise a parent's visitation. "We have contact with children and they know us, so you don't have to introduce another person to them," she said.

The children who have CASA caseworkers frequently are living in foster care arrangements or with other relatives and cannot see their parents. It's a tough situation that puts almost everyone on edge.

Sometimes a CASA volunteer is the only constant face they see, said Pam Jenkins, CASA director and a former volunteer.

"We carry the burden for the kids," she said.

CASA volunteers work to find a remedy to the problems facing a child. A team of officials from the Division of Family Services, foster parents and parents meet to assess the case.

"Sometimes we all agree and sometimes we don't," said Jenkins.

When that happens, the reports from CASA volunteers can be very influential for the court's decision, said Statler, who has been working with the program since it began.

Sometimes both parties can't find common ground and the CASA volunteer has to offer a compromise or suggestion.

"CASA is looking out for the best interest of the kid," Statler said. Lawyers advocate for their clients but someone has to take an interest in the child.

Parents "sometimes get caught up in being mad at each other that they forget" about the children and how their actions affect the child's life, Statler said. "I'm looking out for the child first."

In Schmidt's most recent case, the judge reviewed her report, talked for 20 minutes with the parents and tried to work out a short-term arrangement for visitations. It wasn't exactly what she had recommended but it seemed best for everyone.

"Sometimes you can work with them and touch a soft spot," Statler said.

WANT MORE?

Volunteer requirements

*Must be 21 or older to participate.

*Complete 30 hours of training, with sessions on juvenile law, advocacy and cultural diversity.

*Submit to reference checks and background checks.

*Submit to an interview with board members.

*Commit to taking one case after finishing training.

For information about the CASA program, call 335-1726.