Setting the Stage for Observations

Setting the Stage for Observations

Observation is both an intentional and unintentional aspect of our daily lives. We make everyday observations through our senses and interpret these observations based on our personal beliefs, values, and experiences. As court appointed advocates for young children, CASAs are able to gather information about children’s welfare based on their observations and make recommendations for children based on what they observe are the children’s needs. The responsibility of reporting on a child’s welfare and making recommendations that will affect the child’s future requires that CASAs make accurate and objective observations that adequately and appropriately demonstrate the child’s development and needs.

CASAs should make a concerted effort to observe and gather information about children and their parent/caregivers (biological, foster, or other) objectively and without personal bias. This does not mean to not interact with children and families, work with them in a staunch manner and without compassion, or to not to build relationships with those you serve. For most CASAs, you have volunteered to work with children in the Child Welfare System because of a desire to be a compassionate advocate for the health and well-being of children. Gathering information and making observations in an independent manner, without personal bias means to remove what you think is best based on your personal values and beliefs and to use the facts of the science and nature of early development to help you decide what is right for the child. The science of early childhood development is rooted in supporting loving, stable relationships in young children’s lives and helping families gain access to opportunities for their children to learn, play, and grow. Through your work, CASAs have the ability to use this knowledge to make recommendations that promote these principles.

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