I Speak for This Child: True Stories of a Child Advocate

by Gay Courter

In I Speak For This Child, best-selling novelist Gay Courter recounts her experiences as a Guardian ad Litem, a volunteer court-appointed advocate for children involved in Florida's court system. Following her first tentative approach to her local Court Appointed Special Advocates program to her more determined efforts, we get an insider's glimpse on this hidden world and learn what it takes to ensure that America's most vulnerable citizens are treated with care and respect. Courter's story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and is an inspiration for anyone who has ever looked up from a newspaper and wondered, "What can I do to help?"

Genres: Nonfiction, Social Work, Memoir, Education, Fostering

420 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

Reviews

[Lessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the only book (!) I could find written by a guardian ad litem about her experiences speaking for children in state custody. Surely there are others -- I just haven't found them yet. :) As someone serving as a GAL, Gay Courter's experiences are helpful and encouraging. I found her writing style compelling -- except for the very last chapter, which dragged and dragged. I confess I skipped to the end. I also found her writer's voice to be a bit arrogant and know-it-all for my taste. I tended to read her accounts at arm's length, reminding myself not to model her attitude. I also had to remind myself that she picked these stories/events to write about, perhaps because they had endings and most were positive. Real life is unfortunately much more messy. I am still energized and encouraged, though, by her energy, her drive, her desire to serve children. Even with its faults, this book is so important for child advocates to read.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a new CASA (or Guardian ad Litem in this case) or for someone that is considering becoming one, this was a great read. It displayed how one person can make a huge difference in a child's life. Gay Courter is an amazing woman who really dives into the system to advocate for her children.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth reading for anyone considering becoming a child advocate.

[Carlinda Wilkerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this book down

I'm not good with words, but this book is helpful if your already a Guardian Ad Litem .... This book should be read before you get to volunteer !

[Lua · Rating 4 out of 5]

The very interesting true story of a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the foster care system in Florida. The author's (volunteer) job was to look out for the children assigned to her, and to be their voice as they went through the system. These children were lucky to have her. I learned a lot from this book and am glad I found it. Recommended.

[Cherie Skinner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not recommended

I was trained not to divulge information
Interesting at first but harder to read from middle onwards
Guardian vs casa difference apparent but still not recommended for first time CASAs

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a current CASA I found this book very interesting and found it well worth my time to read.

Although Ms. Courter makes many good points about how the system is not set up to best serve the children under their care, and society is not well served when these not well served children become adults, I did feel defensive about her generalizations of DCF/DCF-equivalent employees as not caring and/or not motivated by or working toward what is in the best interest of the children. These are her experiences, but as a foster and foster adoptive parent I dealt with social workers who really cared and worked hard for the best interest of the children. I agree the system is not perfect, including that even with caring employees the system holds on to children much too long, but the social workers and lawyers that I have encountered have been very caring, working within a flawed and often understaffed system.

I had planned on passing this book on to someone who is considering becoming a CASA after I finished it. Although I'm happy that I read it, I'm not sure about suggesting it to a potential volunteer. I would be afraid to scare the person away due to some inaccurate and unrealistic volunteer expectations. Some kind and helpful, although time consuming and expensive, things Gay details doing in the book are not things that my local CASA allows (or may not be allowed for any CASAs 26 years after this book was written) such as substantial transportation of the children, and providing gifts and meals for the children. Gay also gives significant time and effort to "her" kids, which they deserve, but when she mentions spending over 70 hours a month on one case that is definitely something that could scare a new volunteer away. As well as the community connections she utilizes to get the kids discounted and free medical, dental, and mental health care - most of us are not as well connected and that's OK.

I am glad that she detailed her journey and I hope that more stories on this subject lead to more volunteers as CASAs, foster parents, foster-adoptive parents, CASA Friends volunteers and board members, and other volunteer opportunities that serve our most vulnerable children.

[Ellyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells about the author's experiences working as a Guardian ad Litem, a volunteer court-appointed advocate for children (the equivalent of a CASA in many states), in Florida. The author recounts several of the cases that she worked on, mostly with teenagers, and in doing so, she touches on many of the problems and difficulties inherent to the child welfare system in our country. Not exactly an uplifting book when you look at the big picture, but on a small scale, it makes you realize that there are some really committed people out there doing great things for children. The writing was a bit too dramatic for me; the author is a novelist, and it shows.

[Gina]

If you're interested in what a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) does for kids in the foster care system, this is a good book to read. It was written 10 years ago so some things have changed, and state laws vary so different rules may apply to CASAs who are in states other than Florida where this author lives. Still, it will give the reader a very good idea of how CASAs assist foster children.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved being able to see through the eyes of a CASA worker. As a Social Worker myself and working with children whom many are involved with the county, I am a huge advocate for the CASA program. Amazing individuals who volunteer their time for these extraordinary children. Gay's experiences rang true to what some of these children face and the passion it takes to fight for these children.

[Joann Revak · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a new Guardian ad Litem, this book was great for me. The author delved into things I've already encountered and other things that were difficult subjects. She seemed to have a lot of confidence in her power as a GAL. I'd recommend to anyone interested in children's welfare and the GAL program, plus it was a very interesting read.

[Laurie Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a CASA volunteer, this book was so eye opening about our social services system and the many ways foster children need to have people on their side who will doggedly make sure that their interests are being considered and met. Some of the stories were so painful, you want to think that all of the kids have a positive ending but in real life that is so often not the case.

[Kathy]

Very informative book on being a child advocate. Found it useful in addressing the need for and responsibilities of such a person. Would highly recommend it for anyone thinking of volunteering in this capacity. Even one person can make a difference in a child's life.

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Case studies of the author's extensive volunteer work representing foster children for the courts. While her efforts may not break the cycle of violence and misfortune, she shows how they can have a meaningful impact in the daily lives of struggling kids.

[Brian Morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful true stories

As I begin my training as a guardian ad Liten, this book prepared me for what I am about to embark on, and the impact I can have. Reading it gave me perspective and the belief that I, even i, can have an impact.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read for me to see the life of a GAL as I began my journey as a CASA. Interesting to see the differences between a GAL and a CASA. I was starting my journey with a teenager so it was helpful to read about her teen cases, too.

[Jaculin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a CASA and this book spoke truthfully to the work and mission of the program. I meet professionals who help kids in these abuse/dependency/neglect cases (e.g. parental visit supervisors) who do not know what CASA is. What a shame and I am hopeful that will change. Great read!

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book totally changed my perspective on becoming a GAL. My passion for representing child and their rights has increased. I really enjoyed this book!!!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This children's caseworker works with kids in the court system in the state of Florida. It was a very enjoyable read.

[Sharon Warner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for research reasons and found it compelling and informative.

[Lori Herbst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Powerful and to the point. An excellent assessment of our country's child welfare system, from CPS to CASA to legal issues. Highly recommend for anyone who works with children.

[MarKayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I somewhat enjoyed this book. It is a very explicit book. I would not recommend it for teens under 16.

[Dawn Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. Illustrates what some children go through in foster care and why it is necessary for them to have a representative in court to speak specifically for the child and no one else.

[Windy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very informative and well written. Definitely worth reading if you are a child advocate or interested in being one.

[Rennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important perspective of the state child care system

[Sue Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Research, very interesting stories

[Kristi Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a CASA volunteer, while our role is a little different than the GAL's in Florida, we still deal with much of the same stuff.

Hard to read. Hard to put down. Much needed in our world.

[Kali Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book however it got a little boring/ textbook like towards the end. I did like how the author gave updates on all the children at the end.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having volunteered as a CASA in my state, I thought this book was wonderful and terrible in its storytelling. Gay shared so openly the challenges of working with hands-off bureaucracy and making decisions based on rules, ease, and red tape rather than what is best for the child. She was amazing and diving into making things happen. She shared the success stories as well as the tragedies of her cases. She was hands-on and utilized her authority to bless the lives of these kids. And terrible things happen to kids. The book was well written and appropriately descript. It was a great book at learning how the system is broken, and those who dive in and push against it for our kids.

[Jaime Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so so so good. So well written and shows a side that I feel like is not written about enough.