Martin Luther King, Jr.: Inspiring a Life of Service

As a federal holiday, and the only current federal holiday commemorating an African-American, most of us are taking the day off and spending it with loved ones, binge-watching Netflix, and/or taking advantage of the unofficial first three-day weekend of the new year. And while yes, this quick winter break is welcomed with open arms, we should reflect as to why we celebrate it.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Day is a day to honor the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve the communities in which we live. Dr. King has inspired millions around the world to advocate for change and fight for peaceful approaches to some of society’s biggest problems.  

Dr. King believed no act of service is too small.

We at CASA of Tarrant County believe the same. Channeling Dr. King’s advocacy, we’d like to educate our community about the child welfare system – a system that works tirelessly to provide services to better help them and our communities.  

We encourage those that are curious and want to learn more about serving in their communities to sign up for a one-hour information session. In this session, you will be able to educate yourselves about the child welfare system, and the need and subsequent positive impact CASA volunteers can have in our communities. https://www.speakupforachild.org/become-an-advocate

“Everybody can be great… because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve… You only need a heart of grace, a soul generated by love.”

-        Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Meet CASA Volunteer Andrew Gaman

What made you decide to become a CASA? I've always believed that when a child enters foster care, it's up to the community--and not just the courts and professional agencies--to walk alongside the child. CASA provides everyday people the opportunity to do that.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? There are many people involved in a CASA child's case. Sometimes, each person has a slightly different piece of the puzzle--a unique perspective or extra information that the other parties do not. As a CASA, it's been rewarding to talk to everyone involved in my child's case and to then be able to share the information I learn so that everyone can work together better as a team.

Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case. This past Christmas, I was able to bring my child a few gifts provided by CASA. When I brought the gifts to my child, it was heartwarming to see simple, childlike joy on the face of a child who has had to bear so many difficult "grown up" realities.

What is your favorite way to connect with your CASA kid(s)? During my visits, my CASA kid and I play games like chess and throw a ball around outside. This gives us a chance to bond while lessening the heaviness that can surround the case.

Why do you think having a CASA volunteer throughout such a chaotic time is important for foster children? The past couple of years have been full of uncertainty and anxiety for all of us. When you add that to the uncertainty and anxiety that a child in the foster care system is already experiencing, the role of a CASA as a faithful and constant presence becomes even more important.

Ensuring Every Child is Celebrated on Their Birthday

“The unfortunate reality is that there is nothing normal about foster care, and too often, kids in the care of the state are forced to grow up too fast. They are removed from home due to abuse or neglect and placed in an unfamiliar environment, sometimes far away from everyone and everything they know. While their peers’ schedules are filled with things like rehearsals, part-time jobs and late-night study sessions, these youth are doing their best to stay afloat in school while balancing caseworker and family visits, doctors’ appointments, and court hearings.

Getting the chance to participate in everyday, age-appropriate activities with peers is critical to any child’s healthy social and emotional development. But due to liability concerns, financial and transportation issues, and other barriers, kids in foster care have been historically denied access to activities that other children tend to take for granted (CASA Deep Dive: Normalcy for Children & Youth in Foster Care).”

CASA of Tarrant County is determined to make normalcy a priority. One small way we have done just that is by ensuring every child is given an opportunity to be celebrated on their birthday.  

Since September 2019, CASA of Tarrant County has partnered with Urban Air Adventure Parks to provide free birthday parties to children in foster care. Since then, they have provided over 40 birthday parties for foster children ages 3 and up. Participating Urban Air Adventure Parks reserve the last Sunday of every month to provide the ultimate birthday party package for children in foster care and 9 of their friends. Urban Air staff party hosts “handle everything from setup and hosting to entertainment and cleanup.” It truly is the perfect place for a stress-free birthday party where kids can just be kids! The participating locations include Arlington, Bedford, Fort Worth, Hudson Oaks, Mansfield, and Southlake.   

Pictured: CASA volunteer Esther Grant with the child on her case at her Urban Air birthday party.

CASA volunteers Ronda and Dan Feeney say, “We have been working with five children in foster care for three years. They have enjoyed multiple birthday parties, arranged through CASA, at Urban Air. The Urban Air team has greeted these children and their caregivers with open arms. The parties have been enjoyed by the children, their caregivers, and their biological families. The neutral location is a wonderful benefit. Much thanks to Urban Air for spreading joy to our CASA kids!”

CASA Esther Grant also had a child on her case receive a birthday party: “Urban Air is a wonderful place to hold a birthday party! The facility is an amazing, child friendly place where kids can have lots of fun. Urban Air offers birthday parties for children in foster care. As a CASA I was so impressed with the birthday party that was held at Urban Air for my CASA child. The staff there is very attentive to the children and especially attentive to the child whose birthday it is. I absolutely recommend this facility for any functions that community members plan to have.”

Pictured: Urban Air birthday party set up

Jacqueline Gause, Guest Loyalty Team Member for Urban Air also commented, “As an Urban Air Guest Loyalty team member, each birthday booking for the CASA family has created a unique experience for me. It brings me joy to work for a company that prides itself in giving back to the community. I love that we encourage and support families to build fun memories for children. I feel privileged to bring a sense of joy to their lives. Each conversation I've had with different foster parents were genuinely inspiring in itself: such a parade of heartfelt people sharing in impacting someone's life and giving the children everlasting memories.”

We invite you to celebrate CASA’s partnership with Urban Air at our upcoming Urban Air Spirit Night, in partnership with Simply Westlake Magazine and Our Neighborhood Life. Join us January 27, 2022, 4-8pm at Urban Air in Southlake! 20% of proceeds from this fun night will be donated to CASA. Make sure you mention you’re there for CASA when you arrive. Visit the Simply Westlake/Our Neighborhood Life table too!

GM Financial, team members recognized by CASA of Tarrant County

GM Financial, team members recognized by CASA of Tarrant County
Written by Jake Stevens, Public Affairs, Marketing and Communications, GM Financial

In November, GM Financial was honored with the
Dr. Karyn Purvis Award for being an outstanding voice for children

Dec. 3, 2021 – For more than five years, GM Financial has been a proud supporter of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Tarrant County.

CASA is an organization of volunteer advocates who stand up on behalf of abused and neglected children, with the goal of providing a highly trained advocate to every child in foster care.  

In November, GM Financial was honored with the Dr. Karyn Purvis Award “for being an outstanding voice for children,” a reflection of the company’s continued support for CASA’s mission to advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves.

CASA advocates are tasked with talking to a child and the child’s family members, teachers and others to find out where the child will be happiest and safest, and then speak on the child’s behalf in court.

Jennifer Neal Garrett, Vice President Customer Experience - Customer Engagement, was among the first GM Financial team members to volunteer as a CASA advocate in Tarrant County. What drew her to CASA, of all the charitable organizations in North Texas, was the unfortunate fact that Tarrant County is among the Texas counties experiencing the highest rates of child abuse and neglect.

Children who are the victims of abuse or neglect, Jennifer said, deserve a voice, a friend, an advocate — someone who’s not an attorney, caseworker or Child Protective Services agent — to be there for them.

Because of the challenges that accompany complicated legal proceedings and imperfect services like foster care and adoption, children who have experienced abuse or neglect have few constants in their lives. They can be removed from their homes, schools and day cares and even separated from their parents and siblings, but CASA volunteers often serve as a steady presence in a child’s life in addition to their duty to testify in court on a child’s behalf.

“I get to listen and pay attention to the details of the child’s life,” Jennifer said. “Then I get to go to court and testify about how the child is doing, how they’re affected by the situation they’re in. I think that’s really what I enjoy about it. It can be tough, it is a commitment, but it’s so rewarding.”

Volunteering with CASA differs from other volunteering opportunities in that CASA volunteers are obligated to fulfill their role as an advocate until the case assigned to them is resolved, which can take several months. Advocates must also receive more than 30 hours of preservice training and are sworn in by a family court judge before being assigned their first case. In the five years Jennifer has committed to volunteering with CASA, she has been appointed as an advocate for three court cases.

Though becoming a CASA advocate can be demanding, several other GM Financial team members have also answered the call, including Veronica Munoz, Servicing Operations Support Analyst.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, CASA volunteers have visited with their CASA child virtually over the past year. Though some saw this arrangement as an obstacle, Veronica seized the opportunity to do something special.

In her first case as a CASA volunteer, Veronica discovered how difficult it can be to keep a 6-year-old child engaged using video chat alone. And though she’s unable to visit the child face to face, she found a solution that would provide a tactile experience the two could bond over.

“I decided I would drop off activities that we could later do together when I checked in via Zoom,” Veronica said. “My CASA child loves art, so each month I go to a craft store and pick out an activity.”

Veronica and her CASA child have created sand art and made jewelry with beads. They’ve also painted magnets, wooden butterflies and ceramic figures and decorated with stickers.

“My CASA child looks forward to receiving my package each month. She will ask what’s next, and we have the opportunity to relax and chat while we work together on the project,” Veronica said.

“I have kept some of the projects we completed together, and when I see them, I think of my CASA experience and the child. It’s a very small gesture, but I feel like it helped take the pressure off our check-ins and made conversations easier.”

Veronica is still doing monthly projects with her CASA child and looks forward to the holiday-themed projects she has planned for the next few months. She was honored with CASA’s “Most Creative Virtual Visit” award for her unique approach.

According to CASA, 1,106 children were supported by volunteer advocates in 2020, but there are currently more than 500 children in need of an advocate. If you are interested in becoming a CASA advocate, visit the CASA of Tarrant County website.

Editor’s note: This story first appeared on GM Financial’s intranet site, The Hub, in December 2021.

Help Create a Happier Holiday Season for Children in Foster Care & Their Families

The holiday season is in full swing. From Thanksgiving to Hanukkah and Christmas and Kwanzaa, there’s something for almost everyone to celebrate and feel a part of a community. While these holidays help bring people closer together, this can be a difficult time for children and families involved in the child welfare system who are not able to spend this time together.

When a family is in crisis and becomes involved in the child welfare system, the children are often removed from their homes and placed in foster care, many times far from everyone and everything they know. This holiday season, CASA of Tarrant County urges you to be mindful of the children who are spending the holidays away from those they love, and consider how you can help make a difference.

December is meant to be a festive time to spend with your friends and family. Too often, though, children in foster care must spend the holidays away from their family and home communities, depriving them of many precious memories that can make the holiday season so special. This is where our CASA volunteers can step in and make the most impact. Appointed by a judge, CASA volunteers’ first priority on cases is to advocate for keeping families together whenever safe and possible. When that is not possible, CASA volunteers recommend that children live with another relative or close family friend to ensure that they can maintain connections to their family and communities.

The impact of CASA volunteers can change the trajecotry of a child’s life immensely. For example, when three young siblings were placed in foster care, there was little chance that they would return home to their mom, Crystal. Crystal was estranged from her family and had minimal resources. After her children were removed she found herself alone when she needed support more than ever. CASA volunteers, John and Jenifer, believed in her. John, Jenifer and the caseworker reached out to some of Crystal’s family members for support. It was a long road, but with CASA and the caseworker’s help, Crystal’s support network went from a few to a strong network of family and friends. With this newfound support, Crystal went above and beyond in completing the state’s requirements for her children to return home. She got her own apartment and a full-time job, and embraced the family supporting her and her kids. Today, Crystal and her kids are enjoying a routine as a reunited family. They are able to spend the holidays at home, together, creating new, happy memories.

Stories like these are the reason why CASA volunteers are so imperative in the lives of children and families in the child welfare system. They need someone who can get to know them and their unique situation, advocate for them, and help ensure they are surrounded by caring people who will support them even after their case ends. CASA volunteers advocate first for family reunification whenever safe and possible. They also help find and engage family members and other adults who can serve as a network of support for the child and their parent or parents.

Each year, more children enter the foster care system and don’t get the opportunity to spend the holiday season at home with their loved ones. We need more members of the community to step up and get involved. You can make a difference this holiday season.

Consider becoming a CASA volunteer to help a child and give them and their family a better chance at a brighter future – and the happy holiday season they deserve.

Happy Holidays!

Meet CASA Volunteer Barbara Wenzel

What made you decide to become a CASA? I decided to become a CASA because after 2020, which was a year of loss for so many of us, I wanted to do something that feels like it makes a difference.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? When my CASA kids reach out to me, I know that I have made a difference for them!

Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case. One of my CASA kids has recently been placed in a new foster home. As soon as I had the new address, I sent a couple of inexpensive used books from his favorite book series. Yesterday, he received them, and his foster mom sent me this text, “Good morning. He loved getting his books in the mail. He had the biggest smile reading the card. Thank you. :)” That text made my day!

What is your favorite way to connect with your CASA kid(s)? I like to send handwritten cards and notes in the mail, because my work has taken me out of state, for now. But my favorite way to connect is to have them call me! I find that they share more readily when they choose the time that we talk.

Why do you think having a CASA volunteer throughout such a chaotic time is important for foster children? Having someone you can count on is important for everyone! Foster kids in particular need someone dedicated to their well-being, because that role is not being filled by their parents. They are victims of at least two layers of trauma: the trauma that led to their removal, and the removal itself. A caring CASA can be a source of stability, comfort, and hope, coming alongside to hear them, see them, and bear witness to their pain and struggles in a difficult time.

Meet Administrative Assistant Teresa Jackson

Why did you decide to come work for CASA? Prior to coming to CASA, I worked behind the scenes in the Legal Unit of Child Protective Services, processing court documentation. I decided to make the switch to CASA knowing that I would be able to have more of a hands-on approach in impacting the lives of the children currently in foster care.

What is your professional and educational background? I worked for Child Protective Services- Legal Unit for 12 years. I am currently pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management.

What first caused you to get involved with CASA? I had some knowledge of CASA from working at Child Protective Services. I realized that this organization plays a vital role in the lives of foster children, and I wanted to be a part of that.

What keeps you coming back every month in helping CASA? Hearing the mission moments that my coworkers share every month regarding the wonderful outcomes of their cases, shows that this work is not done in vain. There are many cases that may not have started off well, but once an advocate was assigned, the case turned around for the children, who now have a voice thanks to their advocate.

What has been the most rewarding part of being on staff at CASA? I am often overwhelmed by the support and generosity by members of our community, ensuring that each child has what they need, even in a time of uncertainty that we are facing due to the pandemic.

Please share a special moment with us about your work with CASA volunteers or supporters. In the summer, we held a drive-thru pick up where the advocates could come and grab some items (toys/games, books, clothing, shoes) for their kiddos. One of the advocates was so excited to be able to get some things for a sibling group on the case that she was assigned to. She was almost in tears just knowing how happy the children would be upon receiving the items. Those are the moments that remind me of the good work that CASA is doing and the impact that it has on the lives of the children in care.

What would you say to a potential supporter?
Every child deserves a chance. These children were put in situations that they didn’t ask for and have no say in what happens to them or their siblings. They are voiceless. By supporting CASA, you are providing resources that will help give these kids a fighting chance to overcome these obstacles. Right now, their lives are anything but normal and because of this, CASA strives to provide the tools to help them with their educational needs as well as their personal needs. CASA has been able to provide birthday and Christmas gifts as well as school supplies annually. We have given gift cards to graduates and even purchased some household essentials for youth transition out of care, due to aging out of the system. We are only able to do this with YOUR support.

Why do you think it’s important for your local community to support CASA and what they do? It is important to have the support of the local community to ensure that the children in foster care are provided safety, stability and most importantly, provided a voice. They need to know that they have someone in their corner rooting for them and who will make sure that their needs are being met and their voices are heard.

Do you want to share some encouraging words to our volunteers? Thank you for all your hard work and dedication in ensuring that these children are heard, safe and cared for. You play such a vital role as you are the only constant thing in their lives during this difficult time. You being involved is helping them in ways you may not be able to imagine. Thank you for having a heart to serve and to protect those who can’t protect themselves.

Hanukkah Sameach! A Spotlight on CASA Volunteer Maria

Hanukkah sameach! In celebration of the season, we are spotlighting CASA volunteer Maria who discusses how her Jewish faith and values led her to become a CASA.

Maria says,

“The thing that made me decide to become a CASA was hearing about it from a friend. The second I heard about CASA’s mission and what I could do as a CASA I knew I wanted to join. The most rewarding part of being a CASA is definitely getting to see the difference I made with the family I worked with. Watching a family be able to reconvene was so special.

A special moment from my case was when I was able to spend time with the children and see the difference that I was making. Having the children get excited to see me showed me how important I was to them. My favorite way to connect with my CASA kids is to read to them and play with them. Watching the kids light up when I read to them is something I won’t forget.

I think having a CASA volunteer throughout such a chaotic time is important for foster youth for many reasons. One reason is because foster youth go through so much and see so many different people, and having a constant person can help with emotional and mental health.

My Jewish faith has always been the backbone of why I do everything that I do. Helping others is something that has always been important to me, and is important in Judaism. Becoming a CASA was something that I knew I had to do because of the impact I could make through it. I would encourage everyone, including those in the Jewish community, to get involved with CASA by either volunteering or donating anything they can during this holiday season. Donating toys, clothes, books, etc can help a child more than you think.

National Philanthropy Day: A Celebration of You

This day in particular recognizes the impact philanthropy has on our communities. We take pause in our work, our mission, needs in our community, and our endless to-do lists to celebrate the generosity and dedication of those that support us.

We are all well-aware of the impacts COVID-19 have had on our communities. Funding resources were reduced dramatically, for some, cut all together. With that funding change, we all had to adjust and brainstorm how we can still help the kids we serve in our county – even when confirmed cases of abuse and neglect were on the rise in early 2020. Our communities read the horror stories, heard our pleas, and stepped up to the plate. They knew they had to do more and how significantly important it is to help children who have been abused and neglected.

We at CASA of Tarrant County are honored and fortunate to have such a giving community that wants to serve their fellow neighbors. The cost of action is far more affordable than the cost of inaction. Because of donors like you, the time kids spent in foster care that had a CASA volunteer saved Tarrant County taxpayers $3,250,000 in 2020. Can you imagine the impact we can continue to make this year, and for years to come?

Philanthropists come in all shapes, sizes, and ages – from setting up a simple lemonade stand, sharing with their employers the important work that CASA of Tarrant County does, to merely sharing our mission with friends and family. Regardless of age, our donors have made it a point to help their fellow-man and be there for the child.

The dedication our supporters have for our children are unmatched. And for that, we thank you. Because of you, we’re able to serve children in foster care – you were able to care for them, to help support them. We are eternally grateful for your commitment, generosity, and caring nature. Thank you.

Meet CASA Volunteer Laura Deskins

What made you decide to become a CASA? My volunteer experience working with non-profits - generally on projects or events - left me hungry to be part of an organization that allowed me to to work with individuals . Honestly, I am not sure it was what I “wanted” but after a lot of consideration, it was definitely what I felt a responsibility to do. As I prayed about it, the word CASA kept coming up. So I investigated the website, signed up for an orientation, then the training. It was inspiring!

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? After just over a year of working on my case, I am madly in love with the five brothers that are my CASA kids. The deep connection I have felt with these boys as we have had time playing games, reading books or meeting weekly on the all sibling zoom call has given me the energy and determination to walk with them until they have a forever home. 

Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case. One snapshot of my experience was a phone call from my 15 year old after he had experienced a series of hard times while living in a residential treatment center. He said to me “If I couldn’t talk with you, I don’t know what would have happened. I’d probably be in jail or something.” It was shocking to hear him express that. That is the reason I’m a CASA. I want my boys to know that I love them, that I believe in them, that they have a hope and a future.

I now tell anyone and everyone that they can be a CASA. If you have ever loved another person, you can love a child in the foster system. In my boys lives, I am the only constant. Collectively they have been in more that 50 placements over the last 3 1/2 years. They have had multiple case workers and a myriad of foster parents and care givers. Every time one of my boys moves (they are all in separate placements) I show up wherever they are and tell them that I love them, I am for them and I am not going anywhere.

I know I cannot change the lives of all the children in the foster system, but I can show up for 5 boys that need to be reminded constantly that they are seen, they are valuable and their lives are just getting started.

CASA of Tarrant County Reflects on National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month, and CASA of Tarrant County is celebrating and supporting the many families in our community who have welcomed a child into their home through adoption—with a special spotlight on adoption by relatives.

“As advocates for the best interest of children in foster care, we at CASA have seen family take many forms. All loving families are beautiful,” said Don Binnicker, CEO. 

When we think about adoption from foster care, many of us think of it in terms of adoption by a non-relative. What we don’t all realize, however, is that adoption can take many forms. It’s also quite common for a child to be adopted by or live with a relative or family friend.

“Often, when a child cannot safely go back home with their parents, then their grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family members step up to care for them. This is known in the system as ‘kinship care,’” Binnicker said. “In some cases, children live with family friends, coaches, teachers or mentors—‘fictive kin.’”

Keeping children with people they know is what CASA volunteers and professionals in the system strive for, because it helps keep them connected with their community and loved ones.

Take this story of twin brothers DaShaun and Micah, and their Grandma Mabel.

DaShaun and Micah have moved foster homes four times in the past year, and they need stability. One day, DaShaun and Micah tell their CASA volunteer Daniel about memories of their Grandma Mabel. Daniel shares this with the others on the boys’ case, and they are able to locate and contact her. She is relieved to know the boys are safe and says she would gladly care for them.

DaShaun and Micah move in with Grandma Mabel. They are happy to be back in a familiar home with family and to start the process of healing.

A few months later, the twins are officially adopted by their Grandma. After years of moving from placement to placement, Micah and DaShaun are in a safe, caring and permanent home, with someone they know and love—and who unconditionally loves them.

This story, while fictional, is based on real-life situations for children in foster care, their families and their CASA volunteers.

CASA volunteers are everyday citizens from the community who are screened and trained, and appointed by a judge to advocate for a child’s best interest in court. They work collaboratively with the professionals on the child’s case, including the caseworker, attorneys and others. Their top priority is to advocate for the child to reunify with their parents whenever safe and possible. When this is not an option, they advocate for the child to live with and be adopted by other family members or friends, or with a caring adoptive family.

“This month, we’re taking the time to show our appreciation for the diverse families in our community who are nurturing and raising children they’ve adopted from foster care,” Binnicker said. “Thank you for giving them a safe, permanent and unconditionally loving home where they can heal and grow!”

For more information on the work of CASA volunteers and to get involved, visit www.speakupforachild.org/become-an-advocate.

CASA of Tarrant County Helps Keep Youth in Foster Care Safe

About 1,700-2,000 children and youth are reported as missing from foster care in any given year according to an annual report from the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). In many cases, “missing” in reality means that they have run away. Running away from foster care puts youth at risk of many dangers, including abduction, physical harm, exploitation, homelessness, substance use and more.

Some of the reasons youth give most frequently for running away according to DFPS are anger at the foster care system, dissatisfaction with rules of their placement, desire to be on their own and wanting to see their family. They are also more likely to run away from highly restrictive placements, such as residential treatment centers, emergency shelters and therapeutic foster care.

“Kids don’t always fully understand the dangers of running away. They are searching for safety, security and acceptance, and doing what they feel is the only thing in their power to get out of a situation they don’t like,” said Don Binnicker, CEO of CASA of Tarrant County. “Youth in foster care need stability, someone in their corner and someone to listen and understand. They need a CASA volunteer speaking up for them and their best interest.”

CASA volunteers (Court Appointed Special Advocates) are members of the community who are trained and appointed by judges to advocate in court for children in the child welfare system. They get to know the children and everyone involved in their lives, such as their parents, family, foster parents, teachers and therapists, so that they can make informed recommendations to the court in their best interest. They also work to make sure children can safely stay connected to their families and are surrounded by a network of supportive, caring adults.

“No child wants to be in foster care. Too often, they’re placed far away from everyone and everything they know. We want to be there for these children and make sure they are connected to the services and support they need,” said Binnicker. “By making sure these children’s voices are heard, our CASA volunteers can build trust with them and help reduce the risk of risky behaviors.”

Children who have a CASA volunteer are more likely to receive more services while they are in the custody of the state, creating a bigger support structure for the child. Teenagers who have a CASA volunteer to support them are less likely to run away while in foster care.

“The caring adult relationship CASA volunteers provide is critical to helping youth in foster care stay safe and avoid homelessness, teen pregnancy, unemployment, substance use and more,” said Binnicker. “By advocating for them and making sure they have the resources and support they need, we can help fill the gap that drives these kids to leave in the first place.”

Become a CASA volunteer, help keep a child safe, and give them a better chance at a happy, successful future. For more information, attend our next information session - see dates here: www.speakupforachild.org/register

Meet Board Member Courtney Bourgeois

Board Member Courtney Bourgeois says, “I was introduced to CASA at TCU, through my sorority, as it is the national beneficiary of its fundraising efforts. I participated in events throughout college that supported CASA and developed a great appreciation for what the organization does. After graduation, and having my own children, I wanted to continue supporting CASA by spreading community awareness and fundraising events.

Fort Worth has such a high child abuse rate, and we as a community can always do more. Giving these children a support system and a voice when they are at their most vulnerable is so important.”

Meet CASA Volunteer Gail Scott

What made you decide to become a CASA? I decided to become a CASA because I wanted to give back to my community in a way that centered around children and families in need. I have always wanted to do volunteer work and found that being a CASA is a perfect fit for me.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? The most rewarding part of being a CASA is experiencing how much love the children have to give and the ways in which they show it. Every one of my CASA children are different in their own, unique way and melt my heart every day. There is no other feeling like it. A bonus for me was the opportunity to become part of CASA's Family Finding team. Through focused and intensive research, Family Finding volunteers work to locate relatives and/or supporting adults who might be willing to step in and provide permanency or help care for kids in need. This is an important part of CASA's focus on familial bonds and cultural awareness.

Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case. I have had so many special moments with my CASA kids but developed a special bond with an eleven year old girl who came to me a year ago. She was guarded, smart beyond her years, and had trouble just being a kid. While the world shut down because of COVID-19 we started having weekly Zoom sessions where I held virtual cooking classes (she, with adult supervision). We baked or made something different every week --- our specialty was "Baked Flaming Hot Cheeto Crusted Chicken." Slowly, I gained her trust and we became fast friends.

What is your favorite way to connect with your CASA kid(s)? My favorite way to connect with my CASA kids is in person, although sometimes a quick call or online visit works just as well, especially with my eleven year old since she is so comfortable with electronics. She loves watching puppy videos on YouTube. Technology also makes it really easy to connect with my kids when a face-to-face visit isn't possible.

Why do you think having a CASA volunteer throughout such a chaotic time is important for foster children? I think having a CASA volunteer during this chaotic time is important for foster kids because they may be experiencing added concerns about COVID-19. A child may have been unable to visit with mom/dad because someone has COVID. This is where CASA can step in and make sure someone is there to listen.

Celebrating World Gratitude Day

Throughout the past 18+ months, we have experienced such instability and unknowingness that it’s knocked us off our feet. There were times where the days were long and our anxiety was at an all time high; days when we were frustrated with countless video calls, and days when we were anxiously waiting for that familiar blue Amazon van to park in front of our house.

There were days where we’ve laughed; and days we’ve cried. But through the ups and downs, we’ve created change. Now more than ever it’s important to focus on the positive. I don’t know about you, but during one of the most difficult time of our lives, I’m leaning into the thankful season! Just in 2020, our 559 CASA volunteers were willing and able to donate 40,000 hours of their time and drive 61,000 miles to serve our children in foster care. Because of your support and dedication, we’ve reduced the time kids are in foster care by 6 fewer months.

COVID-19 may not be over, yet the progress we have made in our communities from the last 18+ months have been remarkable. It’s from people like you. Those that are wanting to give back - to do more. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I’m grateful CASA of Tarrant County has you. Working together to provide a voice for a child in foster care may seem like a small gesture, but man oh man, it means the world to them - and to us!

The resilience and positivity we all carried to support our children in foster care was consistently steadfast. And for that, we thank you. We couldn’t have been able to continuously serve more children year after year if it weren’t for you. We are endlessly grateful for your dedication, support, and generosity. Thank you.

Meet CASA Volunteer Mary Jackson

What made you decide to become a CASA?  Prior to becoming a CASA in 2018, I had listened to the CASA broadcast on the radio on many occasions making those listening of the need for volunteers.  At first, I kept thinking to myself that I didn’t have the time to become a volunteer but when you hear about some of the tragedies that many kids face it makes you want to get involved.  I also know that God put it on my heart to volunteer.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA?  Since becoming a CASA, I have had only one case, I believe the most rewarding is seeing the joy on the CASA kids faces at their adoption hearing. 

Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kids on your case.  My special moment was when my CASA kids would run up to me smiling when I would visit at school or at daycare.

What is your favorite way to connect with your CASA kids?  My favorite way to connect with my CASA kids is through educational practice.  I would bring along educational lessons for each child to help re-enforce what each was learning in school or in daycare.  It made my heart happy to see their faces light up when they got the lesson correct. I wanted to help build their confidence in themselves and that I want to help each one.

Why do you think having a CASA volunteer throughout such a chaotic time is important for foster children?  I think having a CASA volunteer is essential for the wellbeing of a foster child.  The CASA volunteer is that one person that a CASA child will see throughout the process of reunification with the biological parent(s) or adoption.  It can give a sense of security that they are not alone and that no matter what the child is going through the CASA volunteer will be there with him or her through it all. It also allows trust so that the foster child can go to the CASA volunteer with issues they are having.  They are so many children that need a CASA volunteer and I hope that it will be placed on the hearts of many to become volunteers.

Supporting Children & Youth in Foster Care During the School Year

The back-to-school season can bring excitement for young people as they prepare to see their classmates again, meet new teachers and students, and explore new subjects. For youth in foster care, however, starting a new school year can feel scary and uncertain, because the odds are stacked against them when it comes to their educational success.

Children enter foster care not because of any fault of their own, but because their families are in crisis. Once they’re in foster care, they tend to face uncertainty and instability—moving from placement to placement, caseworker to caseworker and community to community. Too often, switching placements also means switching schools.

“Having to change schools causes youth in foster care to lose not only academic process, but also connections with friends and mentors. Couple this with the fact these youth are grappling with different types of trauma that can influence their learning and behavior, and it’s no wonder that they tend to have worse educational outcomes than their peers,” said Don Binicker, CEO of CASA of Tarrant County.

According to data from the 2012-13 school year:
· The percentage of students in foster care who attended 2+ schools in one school year (47%) was 6.5 times that of students not in foster care (7%).
· The percentage of students in foster care receiving special education services (24%) was 2.7 times that of students not in foster care (9%).
· The percentage of students in foster care who received out-of-school suspension (16%) was more than three times that of students not in foster care (5%).

What’s more, the pandemic has taken an emotional, physical and academic toll—for some young people this will be the first time they come back to school in person in more than a year; and all students, in foster care or otherwise, will be facing learning losses.

How can we help children and youth in foster care beat the odds and succeed? With CASA volunteers, Binnicker said.

CASA volunteers, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, are everyday people from all walks of life who are recruited and specially trained to advocate for children in foster care and provide a consistent, reliable adult presence for them during a difficult time in their life. They are appointed by a judge to one child or sibling group to advocate for their best interest in court, in school and in other settings. They get to know the child and everyone involved in their life, such as their parents and other family members, foster parents, therapists, caseworkers and teachers.

Specifically, CASA volunteers can advocate for children’s education by helping teachers, coaches, counselors and school administrators understand the child’s foster care status and the unique challenges they face as a result. They can also advocate for placement and school stability for the children they serve, because it is best for them to stay in their school of origin whenever possible. In cases where a school change is inevitable, CASA volunteers can help ensure a seamless transfer between schools and lessen the negative impact of the school move on the child.

“Students in foster care face unique challenges, but they deserve every opportunity to thrive just like their classmates,” said Binnicker. Our CASA volunteers can help by providing a consistent presence, communicating with their teachers about their situation, advocating for needed services and making sure the children they serve are set up to succeed.”

“CASA of Tarrant County urgently needs more volunteers, especially now that the back-to-school season has begun... Every child in foster care should have an advocate who is committed to helping them be successful. Become a CASA volunteer to help ensure that all children get the support they deserve both in school and beyond – giving them a better chance at a brighter future.”

For more information and to see upcoming info sessions, visit our Become an Advocate page at www.speakupforachild.org/become-an-advocate.

Meet CASA Volunteer Jenny Lamsens

What made you decide to become a CASA? My boys were a little older and I was a social worker before mom. I was looking for a way to get involved helping kids in some way. I have always believed everyone needs to find their voice to be able to speak up for the themselves and especially true for kids. A friend told me about CASA and thought it would be a good fit. And it was! That was in October 2011.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? There are a couple of things. When the parents decide to help themselves and really utilize the services and they become a stronger/better parent and the family becomes stronger as a whole and those kids can go back to a better place. Also, when you find a surprise relative and the kids find they have a whole family circle they can now depend on… and even live with.

Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case. My little girl is a big worrier. So, when I went to visit her at the foster home I brought a tiny worry doll with me. At the end of the visit, I explained that she should tell that little doll what she was worried about before she goes to bed and let that little doll worry for her. I saw her the next week and she ran up to me and the OCOK visit and whispered that she has been telling her little doll what she is sad about and that little doll has been worrying for her!! She said she didn’t have to have all her worries anymore.

What is your favorite way to connect with your CASA kid(s)? Definitely just to get down on their level and in their world for a little bit and either play or just chat with them. Just try to make that connection. Give them someone that they can trust or just play with for a little bit without having to answer a lot of questions.

Why do you think having a CASA volunteer throughout such a chaotic time is important for foster children? I think anytime is so chaotic for these kids that it doesn’t matter what is happening in the outside world these kids ALWAYS need a CASA. But during these times, I think it has been very helpful for these kids to have an extra set of “CASA eyes” on them. Especially with the extra challenges of dealing with school and other obstacles that have surfaced through this time.

Meet Board Member Kathleen Copeland

Why are you involved in CASA? First, I believe the innocence and wonder of a child is the world’s gold and the potential of every child is priceless.   My greatest gift was the opportunity to see and experience the world through our son’s eyes and now through our granddaughters’.  This wonder and potential must be preserved in all children whether they are related to me or not.  

Second, I had two experiences with CPS as a child, due to neighbors having misconceptions about our family and culture.   They weren’t horrible experiences, but they weren’t pleasant either.   When I realized CASA’s purpose, it made me wish I/we had had a CASA when I was 6 and 13. 

What first caused you to get involved with CASA? My husband and I were exploring adoption.  Through that process we were asked to consider becoming foster parents, which lead to learning about CASA.  The concept of being a voice for a child resonated with me immediately, so I started the process to become a CASA/GAL.  However, my husband was transferred again for work, so I delayed my training and chose to support CASA as a community volunteer and donor for nearly 25 years until I was invited to join the Board of Directors.

What keeps you coming back every month in helping CASA? Their laser focused vision and single minded mission.  Every month when I hear Don Binnicker read a success story aka Mission Moment, at the beginning of our meetings, it re-affirms why I am here and inspires me to do more.  

What would you say to a potential supporter? There is no greater sound than the laughter of children. Want to change the world?  Help a child laugh.  It’s infectious. You will be changed.  Yes, there will be times of difficulty, however the rewards are far, far, greater.  Every minute impacts not only the child for whom you’re advocating, but also the community as a whole.   

 What do you think it’s important for your local community to support CASA and what they do? CASA of Tarrant County is right here!   We focus on the communities within Tarrant County and recruit volunteers who live here and understand the different cultures and norms of area families.  When you support CASA of Tarrant County, as a resident you too get to experience the amazing results of your money or time.  It creates a self-perpetuating cycle of positivity.  

Aging Out Awareness

This month, CASA staff members collaborated and explained how CASA volunteers cultivate family connections for the youth they serve and either find them a forever home before they age out or help prepare them for life after foster care. 94% of children with a CASA who left foster care in 2020 in Tarrant County found a permanent home (compared to 75% of children without a CASA).

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Child Advocacy Supervisor Chuck Gilliatt says, “In 2016, I  became increasingly concerned about the plight of children in long-term foster care (PMC cases).  I considered that they were removed from their families and everything they had known, their school, friends and neighborhood; the efforts to achieve permanency in the first year had failed; the state was now the Conservator with a drawn out timeline, less hearings and less urgency; they had suffered trauma by the child welfare system itself. If they aged out, the outcomes were dismal. They had been described as “The forgotten children.” I decided to dedicate the remainder of my professional life to doing something about it.

The year before, in 2015, US District Judge Janice Graham Jack ruled that foster children in Permanent Managing Conservatorship to the state were being abused by the system that is sworn to protect them, thereby violating their Constitutional rights. The ruling stated that, “Texas’s foster care system is broken, and it has been that way for decades. It is broken for all stakeholders, including DFPS employees who are tasked with impossible workloads. Most importantly, though, it is broken for Texas’s PMC children, who almost uniformly leave State custody more damaged than when they entered. She added, “Most PMC children also do not have a Court Appointed Special Advocate (“CASA”), who are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for foster children, even though a child’s CASA usually is the only person who truly knows the child and knows how the child is really doing.” 

CASA needs gritty and dedicated advocates to collaborate with stakeholders, challenge the system, cultivate family connections, and find them a forever home or help prepare them for life after foster care.”

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Child Advocacy Specialist Tracy Williams says, “Teens aging out of foster care are a very vulnerable group because they are transitioning from someone making decisions for them, to making those decisions themselves. This can be a very hard adjustment because of the fear of not wanting to make the wrong choice. But having a CASA as a support during the transition is very important because they know that the CASA is going to continue to provide them with encouragement as well as push them to believe and achieve their goals. I hear so many teens who are happy that their CASA stuck with them through the aging out transition because they needed someone to believe in them just as much as they believed in themselves.”

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Child Advocacy Specialist LaZedrick Blackshire says, “We all focus on the current dangers and trauma that many of our children face in the child welfare system, especially those who are younger. Our older youth face those same problems, but one thing they can also face is aging out without proper support set in place. Its so important that we serve older youth because, many need guidance to prepare them for their future, whether they plan on going back with family, leaving care, or staying in extended foster care. Some older youth have no family to lean back on, or foster parents or adoption options like the younger kids. Many have no idea what they want to do for their future or the resources that are available for them. Whether its getting documents, drivers license, prepping for college or anything else, they have a lot of things to prepare for after having so many decisions made for them most of thier lives. Having an advocate can very well be the difference between your kid being successful or the cycle repeating itself.”