Three Special Advocates for Children Sworn In

Velia Moncada

Gila River Indian News

Three volunteer special advocates trained to speak in court on behalf of children who have experienced abuse or neglect were sworn in on Jan. 31, at the Gila River Indian Community Court (GRIC).

Children’s Court Judge Antoinette Enos swore in LaQuinta Allison of District 4, Annie Langdeaux from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, and Kristina Morago of District 3. The ceremony marked their acceptance into the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/guardian ad litem for Children (National CASA/GAL) program.

To prepare for the position, the advocates underwent 30 hours of training in child needs and development, child abuse and neglect, mental health, education advocacy, LGBTQ youth, cultural Community components, and roles as CASA special advocates.

As Court Appointed Special Advocates of National CASA/GAL, these volunteers will be appointed to child court cases to prioritize each child’s best interests during proceedings. GRIC is one of 20 tribes endorsed under the National CASA certification out of the 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States and is currently the only tribe in Arizona to be certified for CASA/GAL.

Sharon Banda, CASA/GAL coordinator for the GRICC, said, “I just think it’s exciting that we have volunteers coming in to be able to work with the kids; that they’ll have people that care about them, and they’ll know that there are people out there that want them to succeed, that are there for them, that care about them.”

Each of the advocates brings a variety of experience to the role. Allison is a tribal court advocate and has represented adults in adult, civil, and criminal cases. Langdeaux is an Arizona Long Term Care (ALTCS) case manager who works for Gila River Health Care and has worked with children before as a case worker for youth in California.

Morago, a public involvement specialist at the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project, understood the need to work with children because of her familiarity with the Community as a District 3 resident.

Langdeaux said she volunteered to mentor and provide love and care to children. “I want to be somebody that will teach them how to be part of a family,” she said, hoping they will pass it along and help others when they grow up.

CASA/GAL’s vision is for every child to be protected, supported, and granted the opportunity to flourish in an environment compatible with honoring their culture and tribal identity.

The program is still accepting applications. If interested, contact Banda at (520) 562-9860 or via email: Sharon.Banda.JUD@gric.nsn.us.