Advocate Spotlight: Heather Critchosin

At first glance, Dr. Heather Critchosin wasn’t sure if she was the right person for the case CASA presented to her.

“I remember first meeting this kid and wondering how I would ever be able to connect with him,” Heather said.

Heather has done more than just connect – she’s significantly impacted his life.

“The most memorable experience I have has as a CASA was holding an incredibly tough and streetwise teenager in my arms as he sobbed because his entire world fell apart,” she said. “It hit me hard to realize how much my role as a CASA meant to him during those weeks of crisis. I instantly tear up every time I think about it. My own biological teenagers have never, ever needed me like that.”

Heather’s commitment to this young man has proven the necessity of a court appointed special advocate for children who are going through some of the most difficult and trying times of their young lives.

His life is forever changed because Heather stood up and agreed to advocate for him.

“The most important thing about being an advocate, for me, is knowing my child is thriving in areas that were once serious struggles,” she said. “Confidence has replaced fear and smiles have replaced tears. A few phone calls, a listening ear, and a little time go a long way in the life of a struggling child.”

It’s been proven time and time again the impact that a caring, consistent, adult presence has in the life of a child. Not only that, the impact that a positive change in a child has in the overall community.

“The stories of the 440 children in Luzerne County that are yet to be served, although confidential, are very real and often beyond imagination,” Heather said. “Never mistake the necessary silence of these stories to be a sign that these children are okay. They are not. Research shows that children served in the CASA program have fewer out-of-home placements, spend less time in foster care, and do better in school. These outcomes provide a stronger future not only for the child, but also our community as a whole.”

If you, like Heather, are ready to make a positive change, we invite you to join us for one of our upcoming info sessions to learn more about becoming a court appointed special advocate.

January 22, February 4, and February 19 all at 5 p.m. at the CASA office. Click the links to register.

Heather, who hold multiple degrees in education, is a native of Northeast PA and still lives in the area with her two daughters, Morgan and Rylee, three dogs, and one cat. She was sworn-in as a court appointed special advocate in June 2018.

Meeting the need: Here's how you've helped

In January 2017, we had 18 volunteer advocates. Now, going into January 2019, we have 44.

Both the strength and challenge of the CASA model is that one CASA volunteer is appointed to one case and one child or sibling group. Research has shown that a child’s trauma is positively affected when there is one caring, compassionate, consistent adult present in that child’s life. So having a CASA is a huge benefit to a child in need, but we’re often only able to reach one child at a time.  

While we are now able to provide more children with a CASA than we were two years ago, there are still 440 children in Luzerne County foster care placement because of abuse or neglect.

Author Pam Leo summed up the responsibility we all share when it comes to this most vulnerable group of our society.

“Either we spend time meeting children’s emotional needs by filling their cup with love or we spend time dealing with behaviors caused from their unmet needs,” she said. “Either way we spend the time.”

Filling a child’s cup sometimes takes a village. For the children in our program, we rely on many people to make that difference.

Our staff, Board of Directors, donors and community partners, and our 44 volunteer advocates each play a role. And each one is necessary and so appreciated.

We can clearly see the difference this program is making in the lives of four children we are currently serving.

These children came to CASA because their parents were unable to properly care for them on even a basic level. They weren’t being fed regularly, they weren’t receiving proper education or medical treatment. They needed, and deserved, more.

Two of our volunteer advocates stepped in and the difference they have made is beyond noticeable.

These four children are now living and thriving with a loving foster family. They are receiving the services they need. They’re happy, clean, fed, and loved. They have the hope of a future.

Their foster family believes so strongly in CASA that they have become supporters of the program, recently donating games, books, and toys for other children CASA is currently serving.

They have even expressed interest in becoming volunteer advocates themselves when their schedules allow.

None of this would be possible without the convergence of people in our community who believe in CASA’s mission. The people who give their time, their funds, and their energy – each one plays a pivotal role in the lives of these children.  

How do you place monetary value on the joy of a better life? How you do calculate the cost of showing a child who has lived in pain and fear that they do, in fact, have a future?

Pam Leo has it right. Either way we spend. As this year comes to a close, we want to thank each of you for your support – however you’ve shown it. Those who dedicate a piece of their own lives to empower the lives of children know that investing in these children now means a better future for us all. Our program continues to grow and it’s because of all of you.

If you’ve been contemplating becoming an advocate, we invite you to join us at one of two info sessions scheduled for January – January 7 at 5 p.m. and January 22 at 5 p.m. There are 440 children in the Luzerne County foster system who are waiting for someone to give them a voice. Who better than you?