Jolaina Matthews admits she wrestled with the idea of becoming a CASA volunteer—an advocate for abused or neglected children living in foster care.
“I went up and down: ‘Do I want to do this?’” says Matthews, who works as a data analyst for Louisiana Healthcare Connections. “In the end, it was definitely something I wanted to do—to do what I could to help.”
As Business Report details in its new Pay It Forward feature, Matthews has volunteered with Capital Area CASA—short for Court Appointed Special Advocates—since summer 2012. Before taking her first case, Matthews was trained in navigating the social services and juvenile court systems, learning about the special needs of children who have been mistreated or unloved.
Matthews advocates for a 16-year-old girl. She says she tries to speak to the child and the adults involved in her life frequently to evaluate whether the child is living in an appropriate foster home. She focuses on moving the case forward so the child can reach a safe and permanent home as soon as possible.
As a CASA volunteer, Matthews presents her recommendations to the judge overseeing the girl’s case and stands with her until the proceedings are fully resolved. She advocates in all areas of the girl’s life, including making sure she makes it to doctor’s appointments and has appropriate school clothes.
Her CASA child is placed in a foster home outside of Baton Rouge, so Matthews talks to her often by phone.
“You’re a confidante to the child, but you have to be an objective third party to the court system,” she says of her complex role. “You’re their friend, but you’re not.”
Read the full feature, and send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.
