Martine Kowal has served as a CASA for only 3 years, but already she has made a big difference in the lives of the children she has served. Her cases have involved very young individuals because she requested that age group, when first given assignments. Martine originally heard about CASA for Kids from a good friend who was a CASA in California. When she heard more good things about this volunteer opportunity from another friend, a psychologist in Nebraska, she decided to find out if this organization existed in Ohio. (She has since learned there are actually over 950 such entities nationwide.)

Having recently retired from her administrative work at Case Western School of Medicine, she was looking around for a new challenge to take on. Living in Beachwood, Martine first looked in Cuyahoga County, but learned that it did not have a CASA program. (Ohio law requires that a“guardian ad litem” be appointed as a child advocate, so without a CASA program, usually a lawyer will fill that role.)

Then a notice in a local newspaper caught her eye. It advertised a benefit being held by “Friends of CASA for Kids of Geauga County”, which is a supportive board, a nonprofit group that serves CASA volunteers and activities. It also works to increase public awareness of child abuse and neglect in our community.

Finding a phone number listed in the ad, she was put through to Christine Steigerwald, program director of CASA in Geauga, who filled her in on its mission, and explained how Juvenile Court Judge Charles Henry started the program here in 1997. Martine began the training, which she reports is wonderful. It includes not only the initial 32 hours of intensive class work, but continuing education each year, and an annual state conference as well, where learning and sharing experiences with fellow CASA’s take place.

Martine’s first case involved a 5 month old baby, and it took a commitment from the outset. Anyone becoming a CASA must realize the responsibility involved, because the child’s well-being can be determined by the information the judge receives from the CASA. Martine has been so impressed by Judge Henry’s thoroughness and the care he takes with each case, studying all the input available, and going over every aspect of information the CASA has gathered about the home situation, interaction with family members, foster parents, and any other relevant material. The CASA’s appreciate Judge Henry’s support, and in turn, he feels they are invaluable “eyes and ears” on each case.

Martine’s second case has just closed, after a year and a half time span. The baby has just turned two, and the case was resolved in a very positive way. Martine says you come away very pleased in such a situation, and all the work has been worthwhile. She spends countless thoughtful hours, putting together information gathered for the judge, because she feels so strongly that that every child deserves to have their best interest served.

Reports on each case are made usually every three months, and include accounts of all contacts, concerns, strengths of various options and then, recommendations. Martine takes this all very seriously, and says what has helped tremendously in the process is that she can bounce any concerns and ideas off director Christine Steigerwald, and Martine’s supervisor, Ada Gillespie, who are so very knowledgeable and always supportive and helpful.

Martine Kowal has a busy life in other areas as well, such as the time she has spent the last eight years as a preceptor. (facilitator for first and second year medical students at Case-Western Medical School in their Foundations of Clinical Medicine program.) She meets with the same small group of students 2 hours each week for a year and a half to deal with communication skills, ethical issues, public health care, etc. She is well suited to this, with her background being in biomedical ethics, and finds it very fulfilling.

CASA for Kids of Geauga County values Martine’s contributions, recognizing her valuable volunteer work by honoring her as an “Advocate of the Year” and she knows that the reason she feels good about being involved comes down to her belief that a child’s well-being can very well depend on the decisions made in this important process.

Christine Steigerwald said “Martine was chosen as an outstanding advocate because in both cases, her thoroughness uncovered information that made a significant difference in decisions made by the court. She embodies our motto: we believe in the power of volunteers to change children’s lives.”