How Your Money Helps

A 12-year Journey Between One CASA and One Child

In 1989, a child, age 2, was placed into his first foster home after reports of his mother’s severe drug addiction, physical abuse toward a sibling, and ongoing neglect. It was not until 1997 that a CASA was appointed to his case. Between the time he was placed in the system and the time he received a CASA, he was placed in three foster homes and one residential program, his father died, his mother’s rights were terminated, he was psychiatrically hospitalized, and he had surgery on his ear.

His CASA worked in conjunction with the child's guardian ad litem to ensure that at each new placement, whether a residential program, foster home, or hospitalization, the new people involved in the child's life (therapists, teachers, CYS workers), understood the child’s history and the child’s current needs.

For 19 years, this child did not have a place to call home or any consistent relationships. Except for his CASA. This child and his CASA created a trusting and consistent relationship throughout their 12 years together. She always asked about his needs and his point of view. She was the one person throughout those 12 years whotransferred this information to the rest of his ever-changing child welfare team and to the Court.

Today this child is an adult and is living in a residential facility, has graduated from a learning center, and is employed at The Salvation Army.

Conquering Instability
CASA advocates for one child who was removed from his mother’s care due to severe truancy and allegations of neglect and physical abuse. At age 11 this child tried to commit suicide and was psychiatrically hospitalized, placed back home, psychiatrically hospitalized again, discharged back home, rehospitalized, discharged to a residential home, placed with a community caregiver, placed in another residential, then placed back with his mother.

CASA, working in conjunction with the child's guardian ad litem collaborated with all child welfare professionals involved to help effectively tackle the issues of instability between son and mother. CASA advocated for individual and family therapy and monitored that process with all participants. CASA has addressed issues of instability at school with teachers, therapists, and guidance counselors, and has incorporated the adolescent's voice throughout the process to encourage an investment in his future.

Consistent Voice
CASA advocates for one child who was removed from her Mother’s care because she attempted to drown her and was then placed with her biological father. Three years after being in her father’s care it was discovered that he had been sexually abusing her. She was then removed at age five from her Father’s care and placed with a community caregiver.

CASA, working in conjunction with the children’s guardian ad litem, Barbara Scarlata, has enabled many positive things to happen for this child, including: being the only one to advocate for specialized sexual abuse therapy, helped advocate in criminal court that being a witness at her Father’s trial for sexual abuse would be too traumatizing for this child, work with Community Caregiver set up foster care family therapy , and has been the only consistent person in this child’s time in the child welfare system.