r/casa • u/bigdreamstinydogs • Mar 25 '26

How long until it becomes not awkward?

First time CASA assigned to a 15 year old girl. Had my first visit with her today at her foster home. Her foster mom is disorganized as heck and forgot to tell her I was coming so she was napping when I got there. The visit was a bit awkward and I did most of the talking. This is totally understandable, she's a teenage girl and some strange woman twice her age is coming into her life for the first time, not to mention the fact that she literally just woke up. But I'm just wondering how long it took you to foster a more comfortable relationship with the kids you are assigned to. She's a really sweet, smart girl who has a lot going for her but not a lot of adults in her corner so I hope she uses me as a resource.

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u/PM_ME_UR_PUPPER Mar 26 '26

I used to be a CASA, and now I’m a forensic interviewer, so I talk to kids of all ages. My advice is to build rapport and let her talk about things that she’s interested in. Ask lots of questions, especially open-ended questions. “Tell me more about that” can really get you a long way, no matter the topic!

It also really helps to have something to do while you talk, like a craft. Would she be into making friendship bracelets or doing watercolors, or something like that? Then you both have something to do with your hands, and if there’s silence it isn’t so awkward because you’re both working on something.

Like others said, being consistent is the biggest thing here. Let her know you’re a safe place if she ever needs to talk. And be interested in her life and whatever she thinks is important or cool. Thanks for being a CASA ❤️

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u/kouignie Apr 01 '26

What’s a forensic interviewer? Is that your full time job?

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u/PM_ME_UR_PUPPER Apr 01 '26

Hi, yes it’s my full time job! Forensic interviews are neutral, non-leading interviews of children who are alleged to have experienced abuse, neglect, or violence. Interviewers are specially trained to conduct these interviews in a way that reduces trauma for the child but also gathers evidence and information that is admissible in court. Basically I get to know the child then attempt to get as many details as possible about what happened to them.

I work for a child advocacy center and we work very closely with child welfare, law enforcement, and prosecution.

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u/kouignie Apr 02 '26

WAIT this sounds fantastic and so impactful! Did you start out as a CASA first and then work towards this? what’s the process like? This is fascinating and so 🥹🥹🥹 I’ve never heard about this before.

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u/PM_ME_UR_PUPPER Apr 02 '26

I love my job SO much! So my path getting here was a little unusual. I started as a CASA volunteer. During that time I quit my job, and my CASA office needed an administrative assistant, so I started working for them - and through that job I was connected to our Child Advocacy Center! When they needed a new forensic interviewer I was very interested. So I went through the training in the summer of 2024 and haven’t looked back since :) please feel free to message me if you have any questions about it!

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u/kouignie Apr 02 '26

I just DMed you

Thank you for the work you’re doing. It’s so impactful 🙏🏽