ASHLAND — Carol Polley is just one of the many people trying to make a difference in the lives of children in this area.

The 37-year-old is the executive director of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), which helps children who have been removed from their biological homes for various reasons.

“I think I’ve always had the most compassion for those that are not typically in a position to defend themselves, like children, the elderly and animals,” Polley said. “Children are some of the most vulnerable people in our society. If you can get to them at an early enough age, our whole community will reap those rewards.”

Polley, a Fleming County native, has bachelor’s degrees in communications and human services. For both she and her husband, Mike, work brought them to the Ashland area.

She is also working to earn a master’s degree in social work and counseling.

Polley and other CASA volunteers provide advocacy for children in the schools and monitor their situations in foster homes. They also help with the parents who are trying to get their children back.

Typical volunteers have no more than one or two cases at a time, although there are several cases on a waiting list, according to Polley. This gives the case workers time to investigate every case thoroughly and present their findings to the court. They follow each case through to its conclusion, regardless of the length of time it takes to move through the court system.

Polley works cases herself but also helps to train and coordinate the volunteers who are required to have 30 hours of training, as well as ongoing training, while working with CASA.

There’s also loads of paperwork done in the CASA office, such as background and criminal checks for those involved with the children, as well as requests for various medical, school, etc., records on the children.

Polley finds success in her job with the small accomplishments.

“You do see a lot of cases where you wish you could do more,” she said. “We are just one piece of the puzzle and can only do so much.”

The CASA organization is just one piece in the bigger picture that puts children in safe environments.

“I think you just have to be really confident in the fact that you can only do the best that you can do,” Polley said. “You can’t be responsible for what everyone else is going to do. You have to be able to realize when you can make a difference and when you can’t.”

Although her job may seem more rewarding than most, knowing that she has helped a child, she feels others can also be gratifying.

“I think we all have opportunities to do that in every job and you may not realize it. Someone might get something out of what you’ve said or done whether you realize it or not.”

“Carol seems to really get into knowing these cases of these children,” said Sue Dowdy, who serves on the CASA board. “She really has done her job as far as develing into these case loads and knowing the needs of these children. I can tell by the action of a lot of these that it gets very personal for her. She wants it to have a happy ending.”

It was through Polley’s efforts that the CASA expanded into northeastern Kentucky, Dowdy said.

“Carol saw the need for it not to be just in Ashland but in all of northeastern Kentucky,” Dowdy said. “Carol is a mother herself, so it all goes hand-in-hand.”

Polley works closely with Boyd District Judges George Davis and Gerald Reams. Dowdy said the judges are both supportive of CASA events and appreciate the work Polley does with it.

“At a recent CASA event, I could see they readily believe in what the CASA group does,” Dowdy said.