Norma's Volunteer Story, Part 7

This is a series about Norma, a woman who becomes a CASA volunteer. It is fictional, but based on real events. Each Wednesday we will update the blog with the next segment. At CASA we always need volunteers, but right now we are extremely low on volunteers and there are hundreds of children in the South Plains who are waiting for a special person like Norma......like you. Please call 806-763-2272 if you would like to be that person.

Norma’s Volunteer Story, Part 7

Day three training: Cultural Competence & Families

Day three of training was probably the most eye-opening for Norma. She had always thought of herself as being relatively open-minded as far as being accepting of others beliefs, but the term cultural competence was new to her. Cultural competence means just that: to be understanding and open when it comes to being introduced to a circumstance that differs from one’s own cultural heritage or background. There are so many different types of people in this world and we all have our own values and culture.

The training stressed the importance of learning more about our own heritage and culture and how it affects our day-to-day life. If we each questioned our assumptions and remained open to the differences in others, how much simpler and easier it would be to coexist without all of the complexities that ignorance, intolerance and closed mindedness bring to the fray.

Some families may be harsher in their discipline, while others are more relaxed. Some families may not allow their children to eat sweets or watch television, while their neighbors do.  There is no set rule that says one family is more right than the other. It simply lends proof to the theory that this country is a melting pot of cultures, values and beliefs. By becoming more culturally competent and aware, we can avoid the persecution and misunderstanding altogether, and move towards a more effective reconciliation for the torn families who need our help and support.

The trainees were given a picture of a family in their house that looked cluttered and chaotic, and were instructed to find the strengths of the scenario. At first glance, all you see is the mess, but as you look at the scene, it is easy to point out the positive points.

Every family who goes through the process of having a child removed from the home has some type of stress factor present. Sometimes stress is created by circumstances that seem unchangeable for someone who does not know what resources are available to them.  Often, it is up to the CASA volunteer to shift the balance of stress in the circumstance. This can be done most effectively by listening, communicating and understanding that different doesn’t necessarily mean wrong.

Norma was saddened by the number of children in the Lubbock area who are abused and neglected. She wondered if she could really make a difference. As it turned out, the speaker after the snack break was a presentation from a current CASA advocate.

Eric was a mid-twenties single man who had been a volunteer for nearly three years. His first case was two siblings – a brother and sister- whose parents were drug addicts. The children were taken from a mice-infested house with no running water. They were not going to school regularly. Because they were neglected so long, at first they had trouble assimilating into the foster home and school. Eric spoke with teachers, extended family members, CPS caseworkers and doctors, and attended every hearing. Because of his diligence, he was able to find an aunt who lived across the state and was willing to adopt both children. The aunt’s house was small and she had two of her own kids at home, so the situation wasn’t perfect, but the kids were loved and safe. He said the kids still were a little behind in school, and were still in therapy but doing well overall. Eric said the kids still call him periodically and he always sends them birthday and holiday cards. 

Next, the group talked about abuse and neglect child-related and parent-related factors. The most common reason in the Lubbock area that children are removed from a home is due to neglect. Some children are neglected because of physical or mental disabilities and some are due to chronological age or the child was unwanted. On the parent’s side, some of the factors include abuse as a child, substance abuse, depression or ignorance. The group also talked about the impact of abuse, neglect and being in the foster care system has on a child. They ended the evening of training talking about various statistics regarding children in America, poverty rates, hunger and welfare.

This really made an impact on Norma. She knew that even if she only helped one child, that making a difference in that child’s life would be worth it. What if she could help a child in foster care get to a permanent placement? Someplace safe, where that child would be clothed, fed and loved. Norma decided at that moment she had made the right decision to be a CASA advocate.

Check back on 2/13/13 for the next installment of Norma's Story. Find out what happens to the Harris Price children.