National Court–Appointed Special Advocate Program

Audit Report 07-04
December 2006
Office of the Inspector General


Appendix II
OIG Survey Consolidated Responses


The following guidance was provided to the survey respondents at the beginning of the survey:

We ask that you answer each question to the best of your knowledge as it pertains to your program office. We recognize specific numbers may not be readily available; however, we would appreciate it if you would provide estimates based on your experience.

As a rule, please select only one answer to each of the survey questions unless otherwise instructed and where applicable, guidance on how to interpret the question is presented in italics.

Please complete the survey in an electronic format, the text boxes you are asked to write in will expand as you enter your response. (If you are unable to complete the survey electronically, please contact us for assistance.)

Four of the survey questions (2, 5, 10, and 18), allowed respondents to provide a comment to an “other” response. Nine of the survey questions (3, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31A and B, 32, 33, and 34), allowed respondents to provide a reason as to why they selected that answer. Additionally, one of the survey questions (35), was an open-ended question that allowed the respondents to provide a general comment on the topic of the survey. Some comments were modified slightly to correct for grammar and sentence structure.

Survey Results

Background

  1. How long have you been the Coordinator/Director/Administrator of your CASA/GAL program office?

  2. Of the 399 responses received, the average answer was 58 months or 5 years.

  3. What program type is your CASA/GAL office?

  4. Program Office Type: Remote - 0%, Local - 75%, Local/State Gov - 15%, State Org/No Direct Services - 4%, State Org/Direct Services - 1%, Other - 5%.

    The respondents who said “Other” were given the opportunity to provide a comment and we received 21 comments. Eight of the 21 respondents wrote they are a local program, which was one of the options available, but they elaborated on their answers. Nine of 21 respondents indicated that they are under an umbrella agency.

  5. How many jurisdictions does your program office currently serve?

  6. Program Office Jurisdictions: 1 Jurisdiction - 75%, 2 Jurisdictions - 11%, over 2 Jurisdictions - 14%.

    For the 14 percent of respondents that answered greater than 2 jurisdictions, the average number of jurisdictions was 5.1.

  7. What Geographic Region is your program office located?

  8. Geographic Region of the Program Offices: Western - 13%, MT Plains - 23%, Midwest - 26%, Northwest - 12%, Mid Atlantic - 16%, Southern Gulf - 10%.

  9. What types of funding does your program office receive? (check all that apply)

  10. Types of Funding Program Offices Receive: NCASAA Grants - 171, Other Federal Grants - 145, State Grants - 295, Private Funding - 315, Other - 257.

    Some of the “Other” funding sources given by the 239 respondents who provided a comment included:

    • 85 of the 239 respondents received funding from foundations or grants,

    • 78 of the 239 respondents received county funding,

    • 54 of the 239 respondents received funding from fundraisers or special events, and

    • 30 of the 239 received funding from corporations, individuals, and community donations.

  11. How many volunteers does your program office currently have?

  12. The average number of volunteers for a CASA program office was 78.

  13. How many supervisors does your program office currently have?

  14. The average number of supervisors for a CASA program office was 3.

  15. What is the total estimated number of children referred to your program office during the past 12 months?

  16. The total average estimated number of children referred to each CASA program office during the past 12 months was 214 for each office visit.

  17. Of the children referred to your program office during the past 12 months, what is the estimated percentage of children for which a volunteer advocate was assigned?

  18. Estimated Percentage of Children for Which a Volunteer was Assigned: 0-20% - 5%, 21-40% - 8%, 41-60% - 11%, 61-80% - 16%, 81-100% - 60%.

  19. If you are unable to assign an advocate to every child referred to your office, what sources are used by your state to determine which children are assigned a CASA/GAL volunteer? (Check all that apply)

  20. Sources used to assign a CASA/GAL Volunteer: Court Protocol - 161, State Statue - 43, Written Policy - 94, Grading matrix - 33, Other - 164.

    Of the comments given by respondents who said “Other”:

    • 42 respondents stated that volunteers are assigned based on priority and or severity of cases,

    • 25 respondents stated that all cases assigned to a CASA office receive a volunteer, and

    • 22 respondents stated cases are assigned based on volunteer availability.

  21. In your program office, what is the current number of open cases for which an advocate has been assigned?

  22. The average number of open cases for which an advocate had been assigned was 126.

  23. How long is a child’s case open in your program office, from the time an advocate is appointed until the case is closed? (Please estimate the average length of time per case regardless of whether or not the same advocate worked on the case for the entire length of time.)

  24. Average Length of Time a Child's Case is Open: Under 2 months - 1%, 7-12 months - 18%, 13-18 months - 44%, 19-24 months - 27%, over 24 months - 11%.

  25. On average, what is the number of hours an advocate from your program office works on a case, from the time an advocate is assigned until it is closed?

  26. Average Number of Hours a CASA/GAL Works on a Case: Under 25 hours - 1%, 26-50 hours - 6%, 51-75 hours - 15%, 76-100 hours - 21%, over 100 hours - 57%.

Foster Care

Please answer the following questions based on your experience as it relates to the children for which your CASA/GAL program office assigned an advocate.

  1. On average, what percentage of children with an advocate are placed in foster care during any time that the child is in the system?

  2. Average percentage of Children with a CASA/GAL who are placed in foster care: 0-20% - 12%, 21-40% - 7%, 41-60% - 11%, 61-80% - 18%, 81-100% - 52%.

  3. On average, what percentage of children had already been placed in foster care prior to being referred to your program office?

  4. Average percentage of Children who were in foster care prior to being referred to a Program Office: 0-20% - 14%, 21-40% - 6%, 41-60% - 10%, 61-80% - 16%, 81-100% - 54%.

  5. On average, how many months would you estimate that children were in foster care before the child was referred to your program office?

  6. Average Estimated Number of Months Children were in Foster Care prior to being referred to a Program Office: Under 6 months - 82%, 7-12 months - 12%, 13-18 months - 4%, 19-24 months - 1%, over 24 months - 1%.

  7. On average, how many months would you estimate that the children are in foster care after the child was referred to your office?

  8. Average Estimated Number of Months Children are in Foster Care after being referred to a Program Office: Under 6 months - 9%, 7-12 months - 38%, 13-18 months - 36%, 19-24 months - 13%, over 24 months - 4%.

Services

Please answer the following questions based on your experience as it relates to the number of services ordered and received for both children and parents in the cases for which your CASA/GAL program office provided advocacy services.

  1. What types of services are typically ordered for the children and parents? (check all that apply)

  2. Type of Services Typically ordered for children and parents: Counseling - 421, Drug/Alcohol - 417, Medical - 280, Ed. Plan - 255, Psyc evaluation - 383, Parenting classes - 415, Domestic violence classes - 262, Other - 139.

    133 respondents provided a comment as to the “Other” types of services typically ordered, including:

    • 36 of the 133 respondents stated anger management services are recommended for parents.

    • 26 of the 133 respondents stated supervised or non-supervised visitations for children with their parents and family are recommended.

  3. On average what is the estimated total number of services ordered,

    1. Per child?

    2. Average estimated total number of services ordered per child: under 3 services - 49%, 4-6 services - 47%, 7-9 services - 3%, 10-12 services - 0%, over 12 services - 1%.

    3. Per parent?

    4. Average estimated total number of services ordered per parent: under 5 services - 63%, 6-10 services - 36%, 11-15 services - 1%, 16-20 services - 0%, over 20 services - 0%.

    5. If the information cannot be broken out between child and parent, please estimate the total number of services ordered, on average, per family.

    6. Question 19C was conditional on questions 19A and B. As a result, only 11 responses were received. Therefore, calculating the percentage of responses given could be misleading. The results are as follows:

      • 8 of the 11 respondents said that on average less than or equal to 8 services were ordered per family, and

      • 3 of the 11 respondents said that on average 9 to 16 services were ordered per family.

  4. On average what is the estimated percentage of ordered services that are actually provided to the

    1. Child?

    2. Average estimated percentage of ordered services actually provided to the child: 0-20% - 4%, 21-40% - 4%, 41-60% - 8%, 61-80% - 21%, 81-100% - 63%.

    3. Parent?

    4. Average estimated percentage of ordered services actually provided to the parent: 0-20% - 1%, 21-40% - 5%, 41-60% - 16%, 61-80% - 31%, 81-100% - 47%.

    5. If the information cannot be broken out between child and parent, please estimate the percentage of ordered services actually provided, per family.

    6. Question 20C was conditional on questions 20A and B. As a result, only 8 responses were received. Therefore, calculating the percentage of responses given could be misleading. The results are as follows:

      • 1 of the 8 respondents said 21 to 40 percent of ordered services were actually provided per family,

      • 1 of the 8 respondents said 41 to 60 percent of ordered services were actually provided per family,

      • 1 of the 8 respondents said 61 to 80 percent of ordered services were actually provided per family, and

      • 5 of the 8 respondents said 81 to 100 percent of ordered services were actually provided per family.

Permanent Plan

Please answer the following questions based on your experience as it relates to the closed cases for which your CASA/GAL program office provided advocacy services.

  1. On average, what is the estimated percentage of closed cases for which the child does not reenter the child welfare system, i.e., permanently closed cases? (When we say ”permanently closed” we mean as of the date you are completing this survey, the child has not reentered the child welfare system).

  2. Average estimated percentage of permanently closed cases for which the child does not reenter the child welfare system: 0-20% - 12%, 21-40% - 2%, 41-60% - 5%, 61-80% - 17%, 81-100% - 64%.

  3. What is the estimated percentage of cases where the final outcome was the same as the permanent plan (includes any concurrent plan)?

  4. Estimated percentage of cases where the final outcome matched the permanent plan: 0-20% - 1%, 21-40% - 4%, 41-60% - 11%, 61-80% - 25%, 81-100% - 58%.

  5. In your experience is the permanent plan (includes any concurrent plan) more likely to be achieved, as likely to be achieved, or less likely to be achieved?

  6. Achievement of the Permanent Plan for children with a CASA/GAL: More likely to be achieved - 85%, As likely to be achieved - 14%, less likely to be achieved - 1%.

  7. What is the estimated percentage of children who have had their cases closed for the following reasons (the sum of your responses for all categories should not exceed 100 percent):

  8. REASON FOR CLOSURE 0-20 PERCENT 21-40 PERCENT 41-60 PERCENT 61-80 PERCENT 81-100 PERCENT

    Reunification

    17%

    31%

    35%

    14%

    3%

    Adoption

    57%

    31%

    10%

    2%

    -

    In kin care

    50%

    37%

    10%

    3%

    -

    Other

    75%

    19%

    4%

    2%

    -


  9. In your experience is the permanent plan (includes any concurrent plan) more likely to be resolved in the best interest of the child, as likely to be resolved in the best interest of the child, or less likely to be resolved in the best interest of the child?

  10. Are cases with a CASA/GAL resolved in the best interest of the child?  More likely to be resolved in the best interest of the child - 95%, As likely to be resolved in the best interest of the child - 5%, Less likely to be resolved in the best interest of the child - 0%.

    Of the 439 respondents (95 percent) who said “more likely” to be resolved, 404 provided comments that included the following:

    • 67 of the 404 comments stated that the CASA volunteers’ primary focus is the child’s best interest, and

    • 26 of 404 comments stated that a CASA volunteer monitors all aspects of the case.

    Of the 22 respondents (5 percent) who said “as likely” to be resolved, 16 provided comments that included the following:

    • 6 of the 16 comments indicated the best interest of the child is ultimately in the judges’ control, whether or not they follow CASA’s recommendations.

National CASA Association

  1. Please rank the effectiveness of the NCASAA in providing leadership, training and technical assistance?

  2. The effectiveness of the NCASAA in providing leadership, training and technical assistance: Excellent - 46%, Good - 42%, Fair - 8%, Poor - 1%, No opinion - 3%.

  3. Do you use the COMET Database Program provided by the NCASAA?

  4. Use the COMET Database Program: Yes, I use COMET - 72%, No I do not use COMET.

    The respondents who said “no” were given the opportunity to provide a reason as to why they do not use COMET. Of the 139 respondents (28 percent) who said “no,” 123 provided comments that included the following:

    • 28 of the 123 respondents use either CASA Tracker or CASA manager instead of COMET,

    • 28 of the 123 respondents use an alternative, simpler database system, such as Microsoft Access or Excel, and

    • 22 of the 123 comments described COMET as being too time‑consuming, not user friendly, or too complex or difficult to use.

  5. If you answered yes to question 27, please rank the COMET System provided by the NCASAA?

  6. Ranking the COMET System: Excellent - 25%, Good - 61%, Fair - 12%, Poor - 2%.

Caliber Report

Please answer the following questions based on your experience as it relates to the children for whom your CASA/GAL program office provided advocacy service, as well as, your general knowledge of the child welfare system as a whole.

  1. The evaluation of the CASA Representation prepared by Caliber and Associates indicated that children who had a CASA /GAL volunteer were more likely to be placed in foster care than children without a CASA /GAL volunteer. In your opinion, are children with a CASA /GAL volunteer more likely to be placed in foster care?

  2. Are children with a  CASA /GAL more likely to be placed in foster care? Yes - 50%, No - 50%.

    Of the 228 respondents (50%) who said “yes,” 220 provided comments that included the following:

    • 98 of the 220 respondents stated that children are already in foster care before the case is assigned to a CASA volunteer.

    • 44 of the 220 respondents stated that children with CASA/GAL volunteers are more likely to be placed in foster care because CASA volunteers are assigned the most difficult and complex cases.

    Of the 226 respondents (50 percent) who said “no,” 212 provided comments that included the following:

    • 105 of the 212 respondents stated that the children are already placed in foster care before CASA is assigned.

    Based on the comments provided by respondents who said “no,” we believe that question 29 may have been misinterpreted. The question was whether children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to be placed in foster care. The respondents who said “no” commented that the children were already in foster care.

  3. The evaluation of the CASA Representation report indicated that children who had a CASA/GAL volunteer were more likely to be placed in foster care longer than children without a CASA /GAL volunteer. In your opinion, on average, do children with a CASA/GAL volunteer spend more time in foster care?

  4. Do children with a CASA/GAL spend more time in foster care? Yes - 34%, No - 66%.

    Of the 153 respondents (34 percent) who said “yes,” 151 provided comments that included the following:

    • 54 of the 151 respondents indicated that CASA volunteers want permanent reunification and will take more time to assure that happens, rather than just be concerned with closing the case.

    • 51 of the 151 respondents said that CASA volunteers are assigned to the most complex and difficult cases, so it may take longer for reunification to occur, if ever.

    Of the 298 respondents (66 percent) who said “no,” 268 provided comments that included the following:

    • 69 of the 268 respondents stated that CASA volunteers focus on achieving permanency faster so children do not stay in foster care too long.

  5. The evaluation of the CASA Representation report indicated that children and parents with a CASA /GAL volunteer were provided with more services on average than children without CASA /GAL volunteer. In your opinion, are more services ordered:

    1. for children with a CASA/GAL volunteer?

    2. Are more services ordered for children with a CASA/GAL: Yes - 95%, No - 5%.

      Of the 449 respondents (95 percent) who said “yes,” 424 provided comments that included the following:

      • 182 of the 424 respondents stated that CASA volunteers give more attention and time to the child, and therefore more services are identified.

      • 21 of the 424 respondents stated that other agencies that request services are bound by monetary constraints when considering what to recommend, whereas CASA is not.

      Of the 26 respondents (5 percent) who said “no,” 18 provided comments that included the following:

      • 8 of the 18 respondents stated that a CASA volunteer is not in control of what services are ordered, and that decisions are made before a volunteer’s involvement.

    3. for the parents of children with a CASA/GAL volunteer?

    4. Are more services ordered for the parents of children with a CASA/GAL: Yes - 89%, No - 11%.

      Of the 416 respondents (89 percent) who said “yes,” 381 provided comments that included the following:

      • 93 of the 381 respondents stated that it is in the best interest of the child to have more services provided for parents in order for successful reunification.

      • 52 of the 381 respondents stated that more services are offered for parents because CASA volunteers spend more time with the families and therefore have a better idea of what services are needed.

      Of the 49 respondents (11 percent) who said “no,” 39 provided comments that included the following:

      • 15 of the 39 respondents stated that services ordered for parents are not assigned by a CASA volunteer.

      • 5 of the 39 responses stated that a CASA volunteer’s focus is on the children, not the parents.

  6. The evaluation of the CASA Representation report indicated that children with a CASA /GAL volunteer were more likely to have reports of subsequent abuse. However, the report does not address the number of children who actually reentered the child welfare system. In your opinion, are children with a CASA /GAL volunteer more likely to reenter the CWS, as likely to reenter the CWS, or less likely to reenter the CWS?

  7. Are children with a CASA/GAL likely to reenter the Child Welfare System (CWS)?: More likely to reenter the CWS - 4%, As likely to reenter the CWS - 20%, Less likely to reenter the CWS - 76%.

    Of the 19 respondents (4 percent) who said “more likely,” all 19 provided comments that included the following:

    • 10 of the 19 respondents stated that CASA volunteers continue to monitor cases and keep in touch with children, so the volunteers know if and when children should be removed from their parents again.

    • 7 of the 19 respondents stated that children are more likely to reenter the child welfare system because CASA volunteers are dealing with high-risk cases.

    Of the 91 respondents (20 percent) who said “as likely,” 78 provided comments that included the following:

    • 34 of the 78 respondents stated that children are as likely to reenter the child welfare system because of relapses by parents and their inability to change.

    • 12 of the 78 respondents stated that CASA volunteers stay in contact and often monitor cases after they have been closed.

    • 7 of the 78 respondents stated that the CASA volunteer does not stay in contact after cases are closed.

    Of the 346 respondents (76 percent) who said “less likely,” 307 provided comments that included the following:

    • 93 of the 307 respondents stated that children are less likely to reenter into the child welfare system because volunteers ensure proper and permanent placement.

    • 71 of the 307 respondents stated that children are less likely to reenter into the child welfare system because the needed services are provided and requirements are met.

  8. The evaluation of the CASA Representation report indicated that children with a CASA /GAL volunteer are more likely to be referred for adoption. In your opinion, are children with a CASA /GAL volunteer more likely to be adopted, as likely to be adopted, or less likely to be adopted?

  9. Are children with a CASA/GAL likely to be referred for adoption?: More likely to be adopted - 49%, As likely to be adopted - 40%, Less likely to be adopted - 11%.

    Of the 223 respondents (49 percent) who said “more likely,” 206 provided comments that included the following:

    • 74 of the 206 respondents stated that if reunification is not possible, adoption is pushed because CASA volunteers’ goal are permanency for the child.

    Of the 185 respondents (40 percent) who said “as likely,” 141 provided comments that included the following:

    • 23 of the 141 respondents stated that children are as likely to be adopted because CASA volunteers are looking out for the child’s best interest and adoption may not be it.

    • 19 of the 141 respondents stated that children with a CASA volunteer are only as likely to be adopted because children referred to CASA volunteers are the most difficult and complex cases.

    • 19 of the 141 respondents stated that children are as likely to be adopted because CASA volunteers push for permanency, and adoption is a permanent solution.

    Of the 51 respondents (11 percent) who said “less likely,” 48 provided comments that included the following:

    • 26 of the 48 respondents stated that the main goal of CASA volunteers is reunification and it is usually achieved.

    • 14 of the 48 respondents stated that when reunification is not possible, kinship or relative placement is utilized.

  10. The evaluation of the CASA Representation report also indicated children with a CASA /GAL volunteer are less likely to be reunited with their family. In your opinion, are children with a CASA /GAL volunteer more likely to be reunited with family, as likely to be reunited with family, or less likely to be reunited with family?

  11. Are children with a CASA/GAL likely to be reunited with their family?: More likely to be reunited with their family - 34%, As likely to be reunited with their family - 50%, Less likely to be reunited with their family - 16%.

    Of the 155 respondents (34 percent) who said “more likely,” 142 provided comments that included the following:

    • 57 of the 142 respondents stated children are more likely to be reunited with their families because CASA volunteers advocate and monitor cases by visiting the families, recommending services, and pushing the parents to succeed.

    Of the 225 respondents (50 percent) who said “as likely,” 184 provided comments that included the following:

    • 56 of the 184 respondents stated that reunification is in the hands of the parents and their willingness to change and comply with services.

    • 49 of the 184 respondents stated that children are as likely to be reunited with their family because it is in their best interest and they push the family to succeed.

    Of the 71 respondents (16 percent) who said “less likely,” 68 provided comments that included the following:

    • 35 of the 68 respondents stated that children are less likely to be reunited with their family because the cases are the most severe and difficult.

  12. Do you have any other comments, suggestions, or concerns that you can offer regarding CASA/GAL programs or any of the items discussed in this survey?

  13. 239 of the 491 respondents provided comments, suggestions, and concerns that included the following:

    • 41 of the 239 respondents indicated that they had a problem with the questions on the Caliber report and/or the CASA/GAL Program Office Survey.

    • 40 of the 239 responses stated that CASA is a great program that families need.

    • 28 of the 239 responses stated that it is very difficult to measure CASA services with numbers because every case is unique and so many variables are immeasurable and intangible.

    • 19 of the 239 respondents stated that CASA programs need additional funding.

    In addition, some common trends were identified in all of the comments. The two global comment trends were:

    • CASA/GAL volunteers’ primary focus is on the child’s best interest.

    • Cases that are assigned to CASA volunteers are the most difficult and challenging.



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