Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Two Bilingual CASA Supervisors on the Power of Language in Advocacy

Tiffany Mendoza & Wendy Monterrosa

Advocacy Supervisors Tiffany Mendoza and Wendy Monterrosa are bridge-gappers, plain and simple. In addition to their own team of volunteer advocates for whom they offer support on casework and court reports and attend court hearings, each has taken on five cases in which they are the sole voice of advocacy. Until advocates with bilingual capabilities are identified, trained, and sworn in to serve these vulnerable children, Tiffany and Wendy are serving as the appointed advocates. 

Both say there are needs that arise in these cases in which bilingual skill is critical. While many of the children speak English, says Tiffany, resource parents, and biological parents in these cases often speak only Spanish. Being able to address the children’s education and mental and behavioral health needs are important points of advocacy in which bilingual advocates can link children, resource parents, biological parents, and professionals.

Wendy agrees, adding, “Many times, people don’t want to take time to listen to children, resource parents, or others because it’s too much effort to get a translator. This creates animosity between caseworkers, parents, and even the children. I can’t imagine many of us would be eager to do as we are told when someone won’t look at us when they’re talking to us, instead only at a translator. They feel invisible in an already difficult situation.”

Because of language differences, many are unable to understand much of what’s happening, they say. “In these cases,” Wendy explains, “the children, resource parents, and biological parents are provided information in a language they don’t understand, from court orders and forms to resource lists and business cards. Most of these won’t be read. During my first visit on a case, I’m often translating letters and documents, explaining what they mean, and who they’re meant to contact.”

In one case, continues Wendy, “Two teens with limited English were unable to make necessary appointments because of language difficulties. Yet, because they’re of a certain age, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) expects them to do it themselves. Many times, families must complete documents for court representation, Medicaid and Section 8 applications, school registration, and food stamps. They’re simply unable to do this alone and by the time they find help, deadlines have passed, which prolongs the wait for services and assistance.”

Wendy adds, “A big issue is that culture is not taken into account. In the Hispanic community, asking others for assistance is unheard of. Many children are taught that what happens within the house is not said to anyone outside the home. It becomes extremely difficult to get families to engage, and that’s why it’s so important to understand culture.”

“Being a bilingual CASA volunteer,” urges Tiffany, “allows you to do something very rarely done within the Hispanic and Latino communities. To many Hispanic and Latino families involved in the child welfare system, the concepts, policies, and procedures are completely foreign. Having a trained advocate of the same culture, or who speaks the language, is a critical way of gathering information that can otherwise easily slip through the cracks. It makes not only a child feel more comfortable, but the family, as well.” She adds, “The impact one can leave on a child – not just being consistent and present, as CASA volunteers must be, but also part of the culture? That impact will last their entire life.”