I did something last week that I’ve never done before. I voluntarily went to the courthouse.
That’s right. I didn’t have to cover a news assignment. I didn’t have to accompany one of my children to a hearing on youthful misbehavior. I didn’t have to testify. I went because I actually wanted to be there.
That’s because I was being sworn in by a judge as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children, commonly known as a CASA. Catchy name, right?
What I will be expected to do as a CASA is to befriend a young person in the tender care of the state and represent his or her interests to the judge in charge, when case hearings are held. This occurs around every six months or sometimes more often, if necessary.
Sometimes, CASA volunteers also help the student navigate the school system, by helping get special education, for example. Kids end up in foster care due to neglect, abuse or abandonment by their parents or caregivers.
My youthful charge won’t live with me, but I’ll generally be expected to visit them every two weeks or so, and get to know them as well as possible. Foster children are often moved around — due to no fault of their own — changing homes and schools and social workers. Sometimes the CASA is the only person who stays close to the young person through these moves, if a parent isn’t available.
Now, people might question what kind of crazy person would ever let me make critical decisions on behalf of a child, when half the time I can’t even make smart decisions about my own life. And they’d be right to ask these questions, because I definitely feel that, on an average day, I have no idea what I’m doing.
Frumpy Middle-aged Mom Marla Jo Fisher at the Orange County Courthouse, being sworn in as a CASA–Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster children, in June 2026. (Photo by Marla Jo Fisher/SCNG)The good news is that I won’t be making any decisions. I’ll just be observing and befriending, and then reporting to the judge, who will be the final authority. The social worker will also be filing a report, based on his or her observations. Whew, right?
Yeah. Some mornings I have to think for a bit about whether I’ve brushed my teeth yet.
“So, Marla Jo, why did you want to take on this responsibility when your life is already so filled with excitement and glamour,” you may ask me. Yes, it’s true that I lead a thrilling existence.
For example, I spent all day Sunday on the French Riviera, hobnobbing with the Lamborghini and jewelry encrusted set. Of course, that was all taking place on my television set. The one that’s so huge it can be seen from space.
I was binge-watching the trashy AMC+ show “Riviera” while I sat in my pajamas making greeting cards. See what I mean? It’s a glamorous life, but someone’s got to live it.
In truth, my children, which you may recall I adopted from the foster care system back in 2003, are now young adults and don’t need me that much. And I miss being around kids. I thought about adopting more, but then I realized that they already outnumber me so I should quit while I was ahead.
Eventually, my toddler grandchildren will need me, but right now they live in upstate Washington and I don’t see them that often. So being a CASA is a way to reconnect with the younger generation.
Hundreds of children need our help.
The foster system does its best, but it’s big and impersonal and kids get shuffled around before aging out and being left on their own. Most counties have CASA volunteers. In Orange County, there are 300 kids on the CASA waiting list. There’s a shortage in general, but especially of men. I can’t help in that regard, but short of a sex change operation, I’ll do my best.
I recently filled out a form saying what kind of child I’d like to mentor, describing what I like to do and which age and area I prefer. They have kids available ages five to 21. Although generally young people age out of the foster system and are left to figure things out on their own at age 18, they can petition the court to stay in dependency until 21. As you can imagine, this is a vulnerable age. Former foster kids are much more likely to end up homeless or in jail.
I had a friend whose mother died, and as a result he and his brother ended up growing up in group homes in Santa Ana. When they aged out, they had nowhere to go, so ended up being recruited by a cult. They went willingly, just to have someone to help them. Later, they escaped, but obviously they still bear the scars.
I didn’t choose a specific age for my CASA kid, so I’m waiting now to find out more. The young person to whom I’m assigned will be confidential and so will my relationship with them. So I won’t be able to tell you more. I can’t even tell my family, to protect their privacy.
I’ve gone through lots of training at this point and I am familiar with the foster care system, but I’m still nervous about how well I’ll do as a CASA. I can report back on that. Let’s hope I don’t blow it.
If you’re interested in learning more about being a CASA, you can learn more at californiacasa.org. Let me know if you do.
Want to contact me? Email me at mfisher@scng.com. I especially love it when you tell me what I’m doing wrong or send me unsolicited diet tips.