Abused kids need all the help they can get. Tarrant judge apparently doesn’t get that
There’s ample evidence of problems in child welfare systems, both in Texas and across the country.
A federal judge has found Texas’ foster care system unconstitutionally dangerous to children and, in exasperation, turned to fines against the state. A new national investigation finds that former foster children often end up homeless, in prison or at least sufferers of post-traumatic stress. Another raises questions about whether doctors are too quick to file reports of possible child abuse.
So, the last thing a family law judge should do is weaken the systems in place to protect children. But that’s exactly what 323rd Family District Court Judge Alex Kim has done by greatly reducing the role of volunteer child advocates in abuse and neglect cases.
Before Kim took office, the 323rd court regularly assigned court appointed special advocates, known as CASAs, to represent children in abuse and neglect cases. Kim immediately slashed the volunteers’ involvement and has for months barely utilized the agency.
Kim says he’s being careful about violating parents’ Fourth Amendment rights to privacy. That’s an important priority, but we’re talking about cases in which reasonable suspicion of abuse and neglect has already been established, to the point that a child has been removed.
CASAs are too helpful to the process of finding justice for those children and families to cut out their involvement. And they have a decades-long record of effectiveness and cost-saving for Texas and the rest of the country.
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The concept behind CASAs is more than four decades old, and they now operate in every state. Tarrant County’s version dates to 1983. It was born out of need, as overworked Child Protective Services caseworkers and attorneys might only be able to see a child, his or her family and witnesses to the family’s life a few times as a case progresses.
The organizations train volunteers to serve as child advocates. They learn to interview children and family members and recommend to the court what’s best for the child. Often that includes family reunification.
Less than half of Tarrant County CASA’s funding comes from government; most comes from sources such as foundations, individuals and fundraising events. And the savings to the county and state are obvious: Children with representation are more likely to perform well in school and avoid jail.
Child welfare systems are straining, and they need all the help they can get. Kim’s efforts to speed up cases and protect parental rights may help alleviate some of that stress. But his court isn’t seeing fewer child removal cases. As long as that’s the case, children need someone in their corner.
Kim has had a tumultuous first year in office. He’s drawn criticism on several fronts, such as his comments to a sex trafficking victim that she was in part responsible for her predicament, a myth that advocates for victims fight hard to dispel. He was recently removed from the case of critically ill infant Tinslee Lewis after Cook Children’s Medical Center complained that he was biased and that his involvement in the case was improper.
And his judgment is in question amid reports of a late-night poker and cigar session with some buddies in his courthouse chambers.
CASA is an institution that has stepped up time and again for abused and neglected children in Tarrant County. It has a proven track record, and Kim should think carefully before he cuts it out of the process.
This story was originally published January 13, 2020 at 8:00 AM.