One Child at a Time: The Mission of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) - Paperback

by Yolanda Bryant (Author)

When children are taken from their family, due to abuse or neglect, they enter the custody of social services and are put into a foster home. Some of these children are lucky enough to be given a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). "One Child at a Time: The Mission of a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)" shares the experiences of CASAs working to give children a voice in court, and a chance to return to a safe home, or to find a new forever home. First, you will meet Kelly, an engaging three-year-old that told her CASA the first time they met, "The people came and took me away from my mommy and daddy. I was crying and crying. I had to go and see a doctor. The doctor gave me a stuffed animal to make me feel better, but it didn't help." The words of this small child floored the author. She seemed to have a better understanding of her feelings than many children much older. It's no wonder that the author would become Kelly's biggest advocate. The second section of the book is a compilation of experiences and feelings from a variety of CASA volunteers. All kinds of people do this work; the only requirement is a love for children. Volunteers are trained for two weeks before starting a case. Along the way, when questions or concerns arise, each volunteer has a supervisor from the CASA office that they can turn to for advice and a listening ear. The joy of seeing a child find the happiness and security each one deserves is an experience that fills a CASA's heart with their own joy and happiness. It is the reason CASAs become hooked from the moment they take a case and meet their children.

Author Biography

The mother of four daughters, Yolanda Bryant would refer to herself as, "The Happy Homemaker." In an age where staying home with children gave the impression you were not doing much, Yolanda challenged anyone that suggested that was the case. From being a PTA president, to presiding over the women's Relief Society several times in different states, to starting Neighborhood Watch in her area, to knocking on doors (with babies in a stroller) to get signatures to stop a casino from being built nearby, Yolanda was always engaged in reaching out to help others, while still enjoying the antics of her energetic daughters. Yolanda lives in the Denver area. Besides her passion for CASA and for writing, she enjoys various activities with her husband, Michael, including biking, long walks, tennis, and road trips.