Grayslake Resident Chris Berek Sworn In As Court Appointed Special Advocate

Christine Berek, of Grayslake, was sworn in by the Lake County Juvenile Court as a new Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Ms Berek joins CASA Lake County and a force of nearly 300 volunteer advocates who work to protect local children who have been victims of abuse and neglect. The children are all involved in Lake County Juvenile Court proceedings and most are living in foster care. Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Judge Christopher B. Morozin presided over the online ceremony that inducted ten volunteers from nine northern suburbs, on January 21, 2021.

"I'm excited to join CASA and feel honored to work with the staff, all of whom have been so authentic, positive and inspiring," said Ms. Berek, a retired special ed teacher. "I want to be the someone that a child will feel is unconditionally in their corner. I want to be that child's voice so that he or she can be safe and heard."

"CASA volunteers are needed now more than ever," said Terri Zenner Greenberg, Executive Director of CASA Lake County. "Since the start of the pandemic, more children are entering protective care than ever before. Every Lake County agency that works with children in foster care is overwhelmed. For the first time in decades, our program has nearly 100 children on our waiting list for volunteer advocate assignments. We need many more people who can help us with our work."

Lake County has experienced an unprecedented rise in new abuse and neglect cases before the 19th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court. The rate of new cases has increased by two to three times the rate from just a few years prior, causing the number of active cases to rise by more than 50% over the same time frame. This has exceeded the capacity of already thinly-stretched child welfare agencies and programs.

CASA volunteers perform a valuable service to more than 550 Lake County children who have been taken into state care and are awaiting safe, permanent home. The goal of a CASA is to help move kids efficiently through the court system into safe, permanent homes where they will have an opportunity to thrive.

CASA volunteers must successfully complete an in-depth, 40-hour training program. The program prepares them to help ensure that the best interests of children are being served and that juvenile court judges are aware of all issues that impact those interests. In recent months, the training has been conducted online.

"The current public health crisis is exacerbating existing problems in family relationships and stability, and has made many already difficult situations worse. Providing CASA services today is more important than ever, and we need more volunteers who can help us make a difference," said Ms. Greenberg.

Anyone interested in volunteering with CASA Lake County, please contact Debra Lerner-Schmidt at dlernerschmidt@casalakecounty.com.