Last year over 700 abused and neglected children were left to navigate the foster care system alone. CASA of the South Plains needs 15 new teams, or a total of 30 new volunteers, for its September training class who can serve as a CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate and work on behalf of a sibling group of foster children. CASA volunteers help to ensure the needs of these most vulnerable youth remain a priority in an overburdened child welfare system. Community members can choose to volunteer individually. However, by partnering with a spouse, a friend, family member, or co-worker, and “Teaming Up for CASA” volunteers are able to maximize their time commitment and can share advocacy responsibilities including attendance at case meetings, visits to the children, and preparation of court reports while providing multiple role models to the children they serve. Volunteers will be able to help at least thirty additional foster children who otherwise wouldn’t have anyone to speak up for their well-being while they are in care. Community members are encouraged to accept the challenge, “Team Up for CASA”, and become volunteer Advocates.
Prospective volunteers are urged to attend the upcoming CASA 101 informational session hosted by CASA of the South Plains on Thursday, August 18th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the CASA office at #24 Briercroft Office Park. This is a great, no-obligation introduction to CASA and its mission. CASA staff and current Advocates will be on hand to discuss the increasing need for volunteers, what it means to be a CASA, and how community members can help make a difference in the life of area foster children.
“[On] our current case…having two Advocates working together has allowed us to better serve the children. I have taken the older children and my co-Advocate Jenna has overseen the younger children. This partnership has made it easier for both of us to be able to reach out to all the schools of each of the children and to follow up with them and stay connected to them,” said Mary Duenes, volunteer Advocate.
To attend, please register at www.casaofthesouthplains.org or contact Amanda Norfleet, Recruitment Director, by Wednesday, August 17th at (806) 763-2272 or via email at amandan@casaofthesouthplains.org. Lunch will be provided to attendees.
About CASA of the South Plains
CASA of the South Plains empowers community members to serve as volunteer Advocates that speak for the well-being of abused and neglected children in the foster care system.
Court appointed special advocates are community members just like you who ensure each foster child’s needs remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system while working to find safe, permanent homes for these most vulnerable children.
CASA’s Impact
1. Children with a CASA Advocate spend 5 months less in foster care and are half as likely to re-enter foster care.
2. In 2015, CASA of the South Plains provided advocacy services to 485 foster youth.
3. CASA Advocates donated 8,591 hours in 2015, saving county taxpayers more than $343,640 in county paid attorney fees.
How You Can Help
1. Become a CASA Advocate – more than 700 children are without the assistance of an Advocate in the South Plains.
2. Become a CASA donor – it costs CASA $1,500 to recruit and train each Advocate.
3. Host a CASA 101 – CASA will come to your business and educate your staff about its mission and goals.
To learn how to become an Advocate or to donate, please visit www.casaofthesouthplains.org or call (806) 763-2272.
(News release from CASA of the South Plains)