Court advocate program seeks to recruit Natives
FAIRBANKS - Sue Marsh raised four boys on her own, so she understands the challenges of parenting.
As a volunteer with the Fairbanks Court-Appointed Special Advocates program, Marsh relies on her personal experience as a mother as she advocates for abused and neglected children.
But she has one other valuable characteristic. Marsh is Alaska Native.
In a system where more than half the roughly 1,700 children in state custody are of American Indian or Alaska Native descent, the 47-year-old is the only Alaska Native CASA volunteer in Fairbanks.
Program coordinator Jane Atkinson is hoping to change that. A new recruitment campaign is focusing on attracting Alaska Native people.
"It's important to have someone who is objective and who is able to bridge cultural gaps," Atkinson said. "We are looking to diversify our volunteer bank."
Marsh, who has been a CASA volunteer since 2001, said her shared cultural heritage helps eases tensions as families deal with their problems.
"They always say, 'You know what it's like.' I can say, 'Yes,"' Marsh said.
A new CASA brochure is designed to appeal to Alaska Natives and Atkinson is working with local Alaska Native organizations, such as the Fairbanks Native Association, Tanana Chiefs Conference and Doyon Ltd. to find volunteers.
CASA volunteers provide information to help judges decide issues, such as whether an abused or neglected child should go back to his or her parents, according to Atkinson.
"We are looking for volunteers who are objective, have clear boundaries and excellent communication skills," she said.
The job entails up to 15 hours a month of interviews, research, court appearances and possibly report writing.
CASA volunteers must be 21 years old and pass a background check. No special educational background is required, but volunteers must complete 34 hours of training, which starts Nov. 17.
According to Michael Lesmann, spokesman for the Office of Children's Services, 1,038 of the 1,753 children in state custody as of Sept. 30 came from Alaska Native heritage; 630 were listed as white; 156 were black; 30 were Asian, Hawaiian or Pacific Islander; and 37 were of an undetermined race. Some children are listed under more than one race.