Celebrating National Social Work Month

As part of March’s National Social Work Month celebration, CASA of Tarrant County recognizes and appreciates the social workers, advocates and others who devote their careers to bettering the lives of others. 

Social workers strive to build a stronger community for all people, and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates®) is a proud partner in the effort to create a brighter future for all children and families involved in the child welfare system.

“Social workers are the lifeblood of the child welfare system, from caseworkers, to therapists, to child placing agency staff,” said Don Binnicker, CEO of CASA of Tarrant County. “Collaboration and partnership are key values in the social work field, and we share those values here at CASA.” 

CASA volunteers are community members who are trained to advocate for children in foster care. They work with the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and other key child welfare advocates and professionals to ensure that the children they serve are safe and well. They get to know the child and speak with everyone involved in the child’s life, including their parents, family, caseworker, foster parents, therapists and others, so that they can make informed recommendations to the court about the child’s best interest.

One specific way CASA volunteers and caseworkers in Texas are working together to improve the lives of children and their families is through Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE), a statewide Family Finding partnership with DFPS that creates and strengthens supportive lifetime networks around children and their families. Studies have found that one of the strongest indicators of child well-being is the number of present, caring and reliable adults in the child’s life. With CFE, CASA volunteers, DFPS and others work together to build an adult support system for these children and their parents – consisting of family members, family friends, teachers, mentors, neighbors, coaches and others – that will last even after the case is closed.  

“CASA volunteers’ primary focus is family reunification for the children they serve whenever safe and possible,” said Binnicker. “Working together to create and strengthen a supportive network for children and their parents helps increase the likelihood for sustainable reunifications to happen.” 

In the spirit of National Social Work Month, CASA of Tarrant County and our dedicated volunteers will continue to focus on the strengths of those we serve – in every conversation, every new partnership we forge, every action and every case.” 

You don’t need to be a social worker to be a CASA volunteer. You just need to have the desire to make a difference – just like our colleagues in the social work field. For more information about our upcoming Information Sessions, visit this page.

Meet CASA Volunteer Laura Bodine

What made you decide to become a CASA? I honestly had thought about it for years and then one day I saw the Facebook post at the beginning of the pandemic about how 500 (at the time) children are in foster care right now without a CASA. That did it.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? 100% the kids. Getting to know them and seeing their bright shiny faces just makes my month – each month.

Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case. On my first face to face visit, I drove up and all of the kids are outside playing. It was a gorgeous day. I get out of my car and one of my kids yelled to her brother “Come here! Laura’s here!”. Then they ran up and hugged me. It was amazing! And, this was after months of just being on Zoom calls.

What is your favorite way to connect with your CASA kid(s)? Face to Face for sure. When you are on Zoom with multiple kids, not everyone gets to talk. Even if they do, it isn’t as much as in person. You can really connect with each kid when you visit them in person and get to know their personalities. I have been on one case for almost 2 years so I have seen them blossom and grow.

Why do you think having a CASA volunteer throughout such a chaotic time is important for foster children? They have another person on their team (one of my kids calls them “his workers”). But the special thing about being a CASA is they know you are there just for them. To ensure they are getting absolutely everything they could need. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

Black History Month: Frederick Douglass

The month of February marks the celebration of the achievements of Black Americans and their contributions and central role in the history of the United States of America. It is a necessary time to honor and reflect on the roles of Americans who have not always been given due respect throughout history. At CASA of Tarrant County, we are taking this week to reflect on the contributions of Frederick Douglass, a man who began his life enslaved and ultimately went on to shape the nation through his work as an abolitionist. 

Reading about Frederick Douglass is inspiring to reflect on his journey. As a young child, he suffered greatly under the hands of oppressive, cruel enslavers. His mother’s life ended when he was just seven years old. Then, at just eight years old, he was moved away from his family (grandparents and aunt) to work in a shipyard. This move would change the course of his life, as he heard the ideas of abolitionism and learned to read and write. Frederick was moved back to the country after seven years and received brutal treatment and cruelty once again at the hands of his enslavers. Finally, in 1838, Frederick made a daring escape and was finally free.

In his later life, Frederick would inspire many Americans to stand up against slavery as he talked of his history and what he had witnessed and experienced. In 1847, he would publish his autobiography, Narrative of the “Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. He also gave one of the most moving and influential speeches of his time on July 5, 1852, “The Meaning of July 4 for the Negro”. Frederick Douglass shaped history by standing up against evil and educating others even at significant personal risk for himself.

As we think about the impact of Frederick Douglass, it is hard to imagine how we might have been in 1847 - on the brink of the Civil War and the emancipation of slaves. However, as Americans in the twenty-first century, we have opportunities to highlight the stories of those whose courage and tenacity changed the blueprint of history and give voice to their stories.

This Black History Month, we encourage all those at CASA of Tarrant County to continue learning about influential Black Americans and continue hearing and telling their stories. CASA advocates are called to be the voice for children. We can look back to Frederick Douglass, who used his voice to tell his own story and that of millions of other enslaved children and adults who wouldn’t stop speaking up for what he knew needed to change, to inspire us to look forward.

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters. This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

-       Frederick Douglass

Black History Month: Mary McLeod Bethune

Mary McLeod Bethune may not be one whose name stands out in your mind, but her impact on our country has been long-lasting. Bethune is the daughter of enslaved parents and went on to become one of the most important educators, government officials, and civil rights activists in the Black community. She began with a dream to become a missionary, but with no church willing to sponsor her, she moved on to becoming an educator.

By 1904, as a single mother in Florida, she decided to open a boarding school: the Daytona Beach Literary and Industrial School for Training Negro Girls. By 1929, her school had transformed into a college, integrating with an all-male school, and becoming the Bethune-Cookman College. By 1943, students were receiving degrees from Bethune’s college. In 2006, the school added their first master’s program and by 2007 it was officially entitled Bethune-Cookman University.

In the same way she was a champion for Black students, she was an activist for racial and gender quality. She led voter registration drives in 1920 once women were able to vote and by 1936, she was the highest ranked Black woman in government. As a friend of Eleanor Roosevelt, Bethune was named the Director of Nego Affairs of the National Youth Administration. She remained in this role for eight years. As a board member, she fought for racial integration for the Women’s Army Corps.

While working hard for the others across the country, Bethune was still a single mother, working hard to provide for her son. She moved from selling insurance to co-founding the Central Life Insurance Company of Tampa. Bethune paved a way for many, and especially Black women, and left a legacy of empowerment with anyone she met. 

Her last words were a dedication to her ongoing legacy: “I leave you love…I leave you hope…I leave you the challenge of developing confidence in one another…I leave you racial dignity…I leave you finally a responsibility to our young people”.

Just as Bethune challenged her peers to continue in the betterment of our world for the youth to come, we at CASA of Tarrant County believe the youth around us deserve a world full of love, hope, and racial dignity. Each of our volunteers and staff choose to continue doing the hard work for the sake of the youth and families we impact. So, to each of you, we say thank you. Thank you for your true dedication to pursuing a better future for our young people.

Every Child Deserves to Feel Loved This Valentine’s Day

For many of us Valentine’s Day is a chance to show our affection for the important people in our lives through cards, flowers and other gifts. But candy and cards will be the last thing on the minds of many of the children in the foster care system who will be facing this special day far away from their friends, families and other loved ones.

When a family is in crisis and a child enters the child welfare system, they often live in a foster home far away from their home community. Though they have done nothing to deserve it, they face challenges and unforeseen consequences as the result of being in foster care. They tend to move from placement to placement and school to school – running the risk of losing touch with the friends, mentors, family and other loved ones in their lives.

Volunteers with CASA of Tarrant County advocate for these children, ensure they are safe and cared for, and work hard to keep them connected with their communities, families and loved ones while they are in foster care and beyond.

“Studies show that one of the key indicators for child well-being is the number of committed adults in their lives,” said Don Binnicker, CEO of CASA of Tarrant County. “In addition to speaking up for children’s best interests in court, our CASA volunteers can play an integral part in making sure they maintain positive relationships with their parents, families, friends, mentors and home communities in whatever ways possible.”

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers are everyday people who are appointed by a judge to advocate for a child or sibling group in the foster care system. CASA of Tarrant County is one of the CASA programs in Texas that recruits, screens and trains these volunteers.

“Foster care can be scary, lonely and uncertain for children, especially when they are placed far away from everything and everyone they know,” said Binnicker. “CASA volunteers advocate for these children in court, school and other settings, building a positive relationship with them, helping to keep them connected and reminding them that they are not alone.”

CASA volunteers get to know the child on a personal level and communicate with everyone involved in their life, including parents and other family members, foster parents, social workers and others. They work with the child’s caseworker and others on the case to build and strengthen a lifetime network of family and other committed adults who will support the child and each other even after the child’s time in foster care ends.

“CASA volunteers advocate first and foremost for reunification with the child’s parents, with the child’s safety as the first priority,” said Binnicker. “When reunification is not safe or possible, they advocate for the child to live with other family, or with a caring adoptive family.”

Every child deserves to feel loved, supported and connected this Valentine’s Day and beyond. Become a CASA volunteer and help give a child and family a better chance at a brighter, happier future.

Meet CASA Volunteer Marcia Shannon

What made you decide to become a CASA? I retired three years ago as a public school administrator and was seeking meaningful and purposeful ways to continue to work with children. CASA answered that desire in many ways.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA?  The most rewarding part of being a CASA has been seeing children reunified with their biological family or being in a good foster home where they can thrive and become their best.

Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case. Most recently, one of the children I support was placed in her 3rd foster home in a year and half. During the first visit to the new home, the child I support expressed happiness, safety and joy. She sang a new song from a movie, danced, and played games. It was the first time we saw such a positive outlook, humor, and the ability to have fun in a long time.

What is your favorite way to connect with your CASA kid(s)? I began CASA work at the beginning of the pandemic and met children for the first time virtually.  It has been great to be able to meet in person and get to know each other better. I often bring games to play and puzzles to work while we talk/visit as it seems to help break the ice. It has also been great to visit with them in other settings such as lunch at school, park, or attending a karate class.

Why do you think having a CASA volunteer throughout such a chaotic time is important for foster children?  I remember so clearly in training that, "CASA may be the only consistent person in a child's life.” At first I wasn't sure how this would look. Now, I have seen this to be so true due to the number of placement changes and at times turnover of child welfare staff. It has been important for me to remain a constant for the children I support. Also, It has been such a privilege to be that consistent person in the children's lives and to advocate for their best interest at a time when there isn't certainty around their future. I also believe that the CASA ensures that the children have a voice at the table whether it be at school or home.

CASA of Tarrant County’s 6th Annual Pull For Kids Clay Shoot

Calling all sharp shooters! You can change a child’s life and hit your target at the 6th Annual CASA Pull For Kids Clay Shoot – Friday, March 4, 2022 at Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch in Fort Worth, TX.

Your help is needed now more than ever – there are over 600 Tarrant County children in need of a CASA volunteer. COVID-19 has increased the number of child abuse cases in the county by 11%.

We are so excited to host our first clay shoot at Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch. President Travis Mears says, “Defender Outdoors Clay Sports Ranch is a dream built from traveling across the country for 20+ years shooting competitively. I wanted to bring a quality shotgun range experience to Fort Worth and give great shooters and sportsmen a new home.”

EVENT FEATURES:

·      Gun board raffles

·      Complimentary lunch, golf carts and giveaways

·      Grand prizes for top shooters

·      Special First Responders Division and Awards

CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) of Tarrant County trains and supports volunteers who help children in foster care find safe, permanent homes while speaking up for their best interests. CASA had a life-saving impact in 2020, serving 1,106 children in foster care, but the need is still great!

FIRST RESPONDERS: You're invited to participate in our Pull For Kids Clay Shoot with complimentary entries. The event features a special first responders division and awards, and is a great opportunity to show your support for the work CASA does. CASA will match your team with a sponsor once we receive your confirmation of attendance and preferred shooting time.

ONLINE RAFFLE: If you can’t participate in person, the Pull For Kids Online Raffle is the perfect way to support CASA from afar. Don’t miss out on our premier packages, getaways, hunting gear and more!

Clay Shoot Committee Member Clark Rucker says, “I have been on the CASA of Tarrant County Board for almost 10 years, and I can confidently say that the impact the CASA Clay Shoot has on our organization is immeasurable. From increased community awareness, the unintended recruiting of new advocates, and, of course, the fund raising component make this the most important event we have all year. Even better – it is an absolute blast!!!”

And fellow Committee Member Matt Opitz states, “The Pull for Kids CASA of Tarrant County Clay Shoot has emerged as one of the most impactful events we host each year. It has allowed us to foster countless new relationships and connections with key stakeholders and continue to grow and expand existing relationships with donors, volunteers and community leaders. It is events like these that assist in raising awareness throughout the community for CASA’s critical mission to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children who desperately need our help.”

YOU can help change the trajectory of these children’s lives by supporting CASA either in person at the Pull for Kids Clay Shoot or in the online raffle (or both!). Through your support, you give a voice to children in foster care and ensure home is a safe place for every child! More info at www.casaclayshoot.org. Register your team and purchase raffle tickets at www.bidpal.net/pullforkids

You Can Help Fight Sex Trafficking

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness month, when we bring our focused attention to the people who are affected by this epidemic, and what we all can do to help solve it. Young people in foster care are especially vulnerable to human trafficking, particularly in the form of commercial sexual exploitation—the formal way of saying child sex trafficking.

U.S. law defines human trafficking as the use of force, fraud, or coercion to compel a person into commercial sex acts or labor or services against his or her will. However, inducing a minor into commercial sex is considered human trafficking regardless of the presence of force, fraud or coercion. By listening to survivors, we’ve learned that many youth in foster care are drawn into commercial sexual exploitation by people they think are their friends and romantic partners, and often do not fully understand that they are victims.

According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, some of the risk factors include recent migration relocation, substance use, mental health concerns, involvement with the child welfare system, running away and experiencing homelessness. Every child in the foster care system possesses at least one of these risk factors – and the fact is, most of them grapple with many. It is up to all of us to be vigilant and help keep these children safe.

How many people are trafficked in the US & Texas?

In 2018, 10,949 distinct cases of trafficking were reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Of those, 2,378 were involving a minor.

Texas was the state with the second most trafficking cases reported to the hotline in 2018, second only to California. In Texas alone:

• 1,000 cases of human trafficking were reported (nearly 10 percent of the total reports in the US),

• 719 of the 1,000 cases involved sex trafficking, and

• 224 of the cases involved minors.

It’s important to remember that these cases are greatly under-reported.

The Child Sex Trafficking Team at the Office of the Governor of Texas is dedicated to ending this crime and helping young survivors.

What are some of the signs of child sexual exploitation?

According to the Child Sex Trafficking Team, potential signs of child sexual exploitation include:

• Changes in school attendance, habits, friend groups, vocabulary, demeanor and attitude;

• Sudden appearance of expensive items (e.g. manicures, designer clothes, purses, technology);

• Tattoos or branding;

• Refillable gift cards;

• Frequent runaway episodes;

• Multiple phones or social media accounts;

• Provocative pictures posted online or stored on the phone;

• Unexplained injuries;

• Isolation from family, friends, and community; and

• Older significant others.

WHAT CAN I DO?

There are many ways, big and small, to stand up against child sexual exploitation. Here are a few.

Recognize the signs. Educate yourself and others on the signs of trafficking and exploitation.

Take a training. Consider taking your awareness a step further.

Report suspected trafficking. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. If you believe you have information about a trafficking situation or suspect that someone you know is being trafficked, call the 24/7 National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Learn what the State of Texas is doing to protect the most vulnerable youth and to fight human trafficking. Care Coordinators convene and facilitate multi-disciplinary care coordination teams that plan and deliver services for child sex trafficking survivors in the short and long-term. To access care coordination for a minor child survivor of trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Talk to young people about social media and human trafficking. Many times, traffickers approach young people on social media. Learn how to talk to kids and adolescents about not responding to messages from strangers and how to keep their social media profiles safe. NeedHelpNow.ca is an organization dedicated to helping young people who are being exploited online. It focuses on helping stop the spread of sexual pictures or videos.

Use considerate language when discussing survivors of trafficking. Words are powerful, and when used carelessly, they can harm those we are trying to help. Rather than calling these people “prostitutes,” or “victims,” or “slaves,” call them what they truly are – survivors. And whenever possible, instead of defining them by their experience or situation, practice using people-first language.

• Read more about terms and language to avoid.

• Read more about people-first language.

Download and use TraffickCam. This mobile app enables everyday people to help fight trafficking by uploading photos of their hotel room. The photos are used to help authorities determine where perpetrators of sex trafficking are committing their crimes. Download it for iPhone/iPad, or for Android.

And finally, listen. Listen to the stories of survivors of all ages and circumstances, so that we individually and as a society can learn from their experiences.

“The biggest change in the trajectory of my life, which had seemed so hopeless at one point, began when someone chose to listen to the experience of a 16-year-old girl… The smaller, quiet voices can speak the loudest if we would only listen.” – Cyntoia Brown, survivor, in a guest column 7 months before she was released from prison

Meet Development Administrator Kate Snow

Why did you decide to come work for CASA? I had recently raised money in the arts and science fields and really wanted my work to profit the social services sector. CASA’s mission and service goals are important to me. The opportunity at CASA was part-time and flexible, so I don’t have to miss my kids’ many activities!

What is your professional and educational background? I have a B.A. in History/Anthropology from TCU and an M.A. from University College London, Institute of Archaeology. I worked in the archaeology “field” for a couple of years after grad school. I was introduced to non-profit development through friends and have worked on and off in development for the past 23 years. I have worked with United Way of Tarrant County, Dallas Historical Society, American Red Cross, Snowball Express, Key School, The Ladder Alliance, and Shumla Archaeological Research & Education Center.

What has been the most rewarding part of being on staff at CASA? I like that I play a small (very small!) part in fulfilling CASA’s mission. Being of service is important to me and I’m happy I can help support those that have larger more direct rolls in helping children in my community.

Please share a special moment with us about your work with CASA volunteers or supporters.  I’m still meeting people! I started work in April of 2020… the beginning of COVID… so when people come back to the office, I introduce myself in person!

What would you say to a potential supporter? As a donor or a volunteer, you can feel confident in donating your time or talents to CASA! We are very good stewards of our donors’ money and we value our amazing volunteers!

Why do you think it’s important for your local community to support CASA and what they do? Caring for the most vulnerable in our community is the most important thing we can do. I feel good that I can support those that are improving the lives of children and families.

Do you want to share some encouraging words to our volunteers? CASA volunteers are the life-blood of this organization! I’m so impressed with their dedication. THANK YOU!

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.