CASA program in Cochise County marks reunification day and seeks volunteers

Abby Dodge, CASA and ADR division director for the Cochise County Superior Court, spoke on KWCD’s First Watch about the court‑appointed special advocate (CASA) program, recent reunification activities and volunteer requirements.

Dodge said CASA volunteers are assigned to children removed from their homes because of alleged abuse or neglect. Volunteers get to know children, families and service providers, attend meetings, file court reports that become part of the formal record and help connect children to school or community resources. “They’re essentially the eyes and ears of our judges,” she said.

Dodge described the program’s vetting process, which includes a personal interview, fingerprint checks with the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the FBI, reference checks, ongoing training and — as she noted — a polygraph examination, a requirement the program uses to screen volunteers. She called it “an oddity” but said the program uses the polygraph as part of a thorough background review.

Dodge said the court held its second annual reunification day the previous day to celebrate families who had successfully reunited after completing court‑ordered steps; two families attended the private event. She said reunification is “our ultimate goal in the court with the dependency” system and that volunteers sometimes remain mentors to youth into adulthood.

To apply or learn more, Dodge gave the CASA of Cochise County website (www.casaofcochisecounty.org) and phone number (520‑432‑7521), and noted a local 501(c)(3) — the Cochise County Council for CASA — supports children in care with funds for services that promote normalcy.