August 5th, 2020
Today I got my first CASA Case! It’s been 6 months of training and waiting. I’m so incredibly blessed and excited. Here’s some information about CASA.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County believes every child who’s been abused or neglected deserves to have a dedicated advocate speaking up for their best interest in court, at school and in our community. To accomplish this, CASA educates and empowers diverse community volunteers who ensure each child’s needs remain a priority in an overburdened child welfare system. When the state steps in to protect a child’s safety because the people responsible for protecting them have not, a judge appoints a trained volunteer advocate to make independent and informed recommendations and help the judge decide what’s best for the child. As someone who grew up with domestic violence and abuse in the household, it is something I am passionate about in helping kids like me.
For children who’ve been abused or neglected, CASA means having a home instead of feeling lost, and being a priority instead of feeling invisible. When it’s safe to do so, CASA believes it is in children’s best interest to stay connected to their families. Of the children whose cases we helped close last year, 82% ended up reunited with family or living permanently with relatives, and 89% were in permanent homes.
Judges value CASA’s recommendations, which help them make informed decisions in the child’s best interest. In 2020, out of more than 2,505 recommendations made by CASA in the Travis County Child Protective Services court, 40% of recommendations were ordered by the judge, and another 55% were negotiated among CASA and other child advocates and agreed upon before the hearing.
Mission
CASA of Travis County exists to promote and protect the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected, by training volunteers to advocate for them in courts, in schools, and in our community to help them find safe, permanent, and loving homes.
Vision
For every child who needs us, CASA of Travis County envisions a trained volunteer advocate, a safe home, and a promising future.
I rise over the adversity and believe it is something we can all achieve. There is always a need for more advocates. CASA is nationwide so if you are interested, send me a message and I will help you get connected in your area.
CASA Travis County
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