Each week, at least ten children are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Spouses, friends, family members, and co-workers are being challenged to partner together and “Team Up for CASA” as volunteer Advocates for CASA of the South Plains. There is an immediate need for volunteers that can be voices for abused and neglected foster children in care. CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, work to ensure a foster child’s needs remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system while finding safe, permanent homes for these most vulnerable children. As a team, CASA volunteer partners work on behalf of a sibling group of foster children and share advocacy responsibilities including attendance at case meetings, visits to the children, and preparation of court reports. Volunteers who “Team Up for CASA” are able to maximize their time commitment to area foster children and provides these vulnerable children with multiple role models.
Prospective volunteers are urged to attend the upcoming CASA 101 informational session hosted by CASA of the South Plains on Wednesday, June 29th 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.
“Serving together as CASA’s for our kids has provided us both a built-in reality check, as we usually have at least slightly different ideas about how to address issues that arise. I know we are more effective volunteers by working together than we could be working our own,” said Jim and Cynthia Shute, volunteer Advocates.
To sign up, please R.S.V.P to Amanda Norfleet by Tuesday, June 28th at (806) 763-2272 or via email at amandan@casaofthesouthplains.org.
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)
