Mark and Sarah Thompson always dreamed of expanding their family. While they hoped to have biological children, their desire to support a child from the foster care system was equally strong. In 2015, shortly after their daughter turned 4, the Thompsons embarked on their foster care journey. “It felt like the right moment,” Sarah shares. “Transitioning to being a stay-at-home mom provided me with the time and energy to focus on fostering.”
Since receiving their license, the Thompsons have fostered two boys, aged 3 and 10. Although Sarah has shared her experiences as a foster mother in various writing outlets, she prefers to keep identifying details private out of respect for the children they welcomed into their home. However, she is passionate about one critical aspect of the foster care system: the role of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), also referred to as Guardian Ad Litems (GALs).
What is a CASA?
A CASA is a volunteer appointed by a judge to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. According to the CASA website, these volunteers are essential to ensure that children do not get lost in an overwhelmed legal and social services system or remain in unsuitable group or foster homes. Each CASA receives specialized training to help them navigate the foster care process and support children facing emotional challenges.
CASA volunteers commit to being a consistent presence for a foster child from their entry into the system until they are either reunited with their biological parents or adopted. The duration of their involvement varies; some assignments last just a few months, while others can extend for years. Oftentimes, the CASA becomes the one stable adult the child sees regularly.
As Sarah points out, children in foster care often experience a high turnover of adults in their lives due to social workers dealing with burnout, a variety of foster home settings, and frequent court appearances. “A CASA provides that familiar face,” she emphasizes. “Even if a child moves to a new home, they can count on knowing that their CASA will visit them.”
This reliable presence can serve as a lifeline for a frightened and confused foster child. “Becoming a CASA is a powerful way to make a significant difference in a child’s life,” Sarah states.
The Role of CASA Volunteers
CASA volunteers serve as crucial advocates for foster children, collaborating with social workers, biological parents, and foster parents to champion the children’s needs. By regularly meeting with their assigned child and attending permanency hearings, CASAs help determine what is genuinely in the child’s best interest. Their objective observations can inform the judge about the child’s interactions with their biological and foster families.
CASAs can also advocate for necessary social services and assist social workers in coordinating a foster child’s care. Research indicates that children with CASA support tend to perform better academically, as advocates can liaise with school staff to help the children meet their educational goals. “The CASA is one person dedicated to standing up for the child—a small time commitment can yield enormous results,” Sarah notes.
The Need for CASA Volunteers
Statistics underscore the importance of dedicated CASA volunteers. Children who have a CASA or GAL are “more likely to find a safe, permanent home, more likely to be adopted, and significantly less likely to remain in long-term foster care. Additionally, children with CASAs are half as likely to reenter the foster care system and are more likely to have a solid plan for their future, especially among children of color.”
Currently, there are fewer than 86,000 CASA volunteers available to assist over 400,000 children in the U.S. foster care system. The disparity means that judges often assign CASAs to the most complex, high-risk cases simply due to a lack of available advocates. This highlights the urgent need for compassionate individuals to step up and volunteer as CASAs within their communities.
Requirements to become a CASA vary by county and state, with 49 states having a CASA program in place to aid foster children. While these programs receive partial funding from the federal Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), they heavily rely on private donations. Although many other commendable programs exist to support children in foster care, such as Together We Rise and One Simple Wish, the CASA program stands out as particularly crucial for the long-term welfare of foster children.
“It’s an opportunity to be actively involved in a child’s life, creating a meaningful impact not just for the child, but also for the volunteer,” Sarah adds. “CASAs hold a special significance in my heart.”
Get Involved
If you’re interested in exploring how you can become a Court Appointed Special Advocate, you can find a program in your area by following this link. For those considering home insemination, you can check out our other post on how to use a home insemination kit. Additionally, for further insights on pregnancy and related topics, the CDC offers excellent resources.
Summary
Becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of foster children. CASAs provide consistent support, advocating for the child’s needs within the complex foster care system. With a significant shortage of volunteers, there is an urgent need for caring individuals to step forward. Engaging as a CASA not only benefits the child but also enriches the volunteer’s life.