This Father's Day, Consider Changing the Dynamic of a Child's Future

Fathers often play an important role in the family.  Society sees them as leaders.  Children often see them as someone to look up to, or someone building a path for them to follow and one day lead.  Often missing in the dynamic of children in foster care is not only normalcy, but that figure to look up to.  Of course, some foster families step up to the plate. But as many of us know, it's not always easy to give a child that attention.  Many of our children lacked that fatherly role before coming into care. This is why having male advocates is so vital to the future and the growth of children in care.  Many times, they are often the only male role model a child currently has or ever had. Having that male role model helps restore faith to those children in care that there are men in this world that they can trust.  No matter the role played, just the presence of a male CASA can change the dynamic of a child's future.  We have advocates who have become like a father, grandfather, and even like a friend because that advocate chose to be a presence in a child's life.  Being there to listen, guiding them to make their own decisions, giving insight on life based on their experiences and just showing them that somebody cared. It's not always about showing your strength, or showing what you can do, but showing up and showing that you care can show a child a new future. 

We’ve asked a few of our male advocates, Mark Skaggs, Eric Salting, and Jay Wilson, to chime in on how important male advocacy and a positive male role model is to the children we serve in our county. 

CASA: What first caused you to get involved with CASA?

Mark Skaggs: I’ve never been blessed with children of my own but have felt strongly that all responsible adults should be involved in some way with the formation of children and youth in our community.  I’ve always wondered how I could best make a positive impact.  I heard about CASA in 2021 and knew that was the role for me.  I went through all the training, and I was hooked.
 
Jay Wilson: I decided that I needed to get involved in the community and make a positive impact. I wanted to find an organization that had a big need and made a big impact.  Before I chose CASA I had supported some other organizations but found that they had plenty of volunteers and the need for my support was not critical. When I heard about CASA I attended an information session and realized that there were around 500 children currently without a CASA Advocate and then when I became aware of the impact that an Advocate has in a child’s life I decided that CASA was where I needed to focus my efforts.

CASA: Why do you think it’s important to have a positive male role model?

Eric: It's important for children to see examples of both good/loving males and females.  It is also important for men to get involved where they can make a difference.  Studies show service leads to long term happiness.

Mark: Far too many homes do not have a responsible father or father figure in children’s lives.  Children in these homes are hungering for a responsible adult male that they can look to as a model for guidance and support and know that they can rely on them to be there for them.

Jay: I think that boys need a positive male role model to lead them by example. You can tell someone what they should do but if you show someone how they should act and behave it has a bigger influence on them. It is also important that a boy has a male role model that he can talk to and that can teach him the skills he needs to interact socially with other boys and girls. Education and sports are two focus points that are critical in a young boy’s life.

CASA: Why do you think there is a high need for male advocates?

Mark: The ratio of CASA advocates is tilted heavily toward women volunteers. With foster boys in particular, male advocates can readily connect with them more closely through sports and games and can build a level of trust to have deeper conversations on the critical topics of life, school, friends, and right from wrong.

Jay: I think recruitment and retention are two areas that are a challenge when it comes to male advocates, which drives the high need. Men don’t typically volunteer at the same rate as women, which makes recruitment a challenge.  And men often come from a work environment in which they provide direction and there is immediate action/change. Nurturing and influencing children require time and patience which can have an impact on the retention rate.  

CASA: What keeps you coming back to help the kids we serve in our county?

Mark:  These kids are so resilient. Given the trauma they’ve come from, seeing them grow their confidence and ability, and to begin trusting again, and to smile and laugh, witnessing these life victories is so gratifying.  As a CASA, it is a privilege to be a small part of their journey.

Jay: There is nothing better that you can do than to help a Kid overcome trauma, let them know that they are valued and, as a result, help them become a productive citizen in the community.  That’s what a CASA Advocate can be in a child’s life. I have advocated for kids of all ages ranging from four to 18 years old and I have had a positive impact on all of them. They still have challenges to overcome but CASA is a positive influence in their lives when they need it most.  

CASA: If you are currently working: Between your personal and professional life, how do you balance a career, a personal life, and advocating for children?

Eric: Is it possible to work full time and help children in foster care? I work full time, go to school, travel for work and am a single father. I've found that the time needed to make a difference is not substantial and much more rewarding than other ways I have spent my time (binge watching TV, watching sports, etc.).  Also, by having an open conversation with my family and friends about the time commitment, they are supportive of my work with CASA and help free up time by taking on responsibilities so I can dedicate myself to the child/case.

Meet CASA Volunteer Sara Armbrecht

What made you decide to become a CASA? I was first introduced to CASA years ago through Kappa Alpha Theta.  The pandemic inspired me to prioritize and carve out time for something I’d always wanted to do.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? It’s the little things --- the smiles and hugs from the children, a thank you from a bio or foster parent or the sense of accomplishment when you solve a problem. I joined CASA because I wanted to be a bright light in a child’s life and what I underestimated was how much it would make a difference in my life.   

Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case. As I was leaving a visit with the kids, saying my goodbyes, the little five-year-old waved me off with a “Be Good, Sara!” That moment just warmed my heart.  

After months of one of my CASA kiddos not getting the play therapy he needed, he was finally placed on the list with a 6 month wait. I made some phone calls and found a play therapist that could see him the following week.  These kids often just need someone who will put in a little extra time and effort and follow up on their behalf.   

What is your favorite way to connect with your CASA kid(s)? I love arts and crafts, reading stories or time at a playground. You can learn a lot through observing kids in action and it also gives them an opportunity to open up while having fun.

Why do you think having a CASA volunteer throughout such a chaotic time is important for foster children?There are so many kids in need of love, support and consistent adults in their lives.  CASA volunteers’ presence can have a lasting impact on their foster care experience and their childhood.  This not only benefits these children but extends to their families, schools and ultimately our community as a whole. 

Meet Assistant Program Director Stephanie Dickinson

Why did you decide to come work for CASA?  I wanted to help children from hard places and be able to have a good work life balance for my own family.

What is your professional and educational background? I graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Texas in 2013, where I majored in Political Science and minored in Social Sciences.  I was an investigator at Child Protective Services for almost two years.  In 2015,  I came to CASA as a Child Advocacy Specialist.  After that, I was promoted to a Child Advocacy Supervisor and was in that role for 5 years.  Recently, I was promoted to Assistant Program Director at CASA of Tarrant County.

What first caused you to get involved with CASA?  Prior to CASA, I was an investigator with Child Protective Services.  At that time, I was a single mother with two elementary school aged children.  Being an investigator was demanding on my time, and my work/life balance was basically non-existent.  One night, my oldest son looked at me and said, “why do other kids matter more than us?”  I put my two week notice in shortly after that.  I began researching how to still help children while also prioritizing time for my own children.  That is where CASA came in.  It’s been over six years and I still get to help children and families, and be present with my own children and family.

What keeps you coming back every month in helping CASA?  Absolutely the non-profit paycheck, hands down.  Just kidding.  I would have to say that the work we do, although hard, is rewarding.  Seeing parents get a second chance in life to grow and learn from their mistakes, and then have the opportunity to get their children back when it’s safe is extremely rewarding.  Everyone is worthy of redemption.  Seeing families step in to provide care and connection to these children during a horrific time for all involved inspires me to be better to my own family.  Seeing volunteers and staff take on a burden no one forced them to do while they help to absorb the shock of the system for the children on their cases leaves me humbled.  I come back because the work is worth it, the relationships are worth it, and above all, the children and families are worth it.

What has been the most rewarding part of being on staff at CASA?  The constant reminder of how much good there is in this world even in the midst of the bad.  Our volunteers, my co-workers, families, and partnering agencies that I get to work with daily gives me the brightest silver lining in this work.

Please share a special moment with us about your work with CASA volunteers or supporters.  Honestly, this is difficult.  After 6 plus years, there are way too many to count.  Every time that a volunteer invests in the lives of a parent or a relative is a special moment.  Our volunteers have offered so much support and encouragement to these families, and in doing so, they’ve made that child’s life better.  Children deserve to be with their family when it is safe and loving.  The most special memories I have at CASA are the cases where these volunteers have invested in the family.

What would you say to a potential supporter? Don’t wait. Everyone can support CASA of Tarrant County in one way or another.  If you have the calling and the time to work with these children,  become an advocate.  If you have the finances that allows you to donate to help the children and families secure an advocate for their case, please donate.  If you can’t do either at this time, please tell everyone you know about our agency and what we do. Maybe you simply sharing with others about our organization can help enlist others to support us in the ways mentioned above. 

Why do you think it’s important for your local community to support CASA and what they do?  We could not do this work without our local community.  Our volunteers are the heart of this agency, and their life experiences, backgrounds, diversity, and different perspectives are necessary in this work.  They provide guidance and love to those who are in desperate need of it, and our community as a whole benefits when this occurs.

Do you want to share some encouraging words to our volunteers?  The impact that you have on the children’s and families’ lives will not always be known or seen during the time that we work our cases.  You are planting seeds of love, value, and esteem.  Sometimes we forget that the greatest impact in our case isn’t the outcome, but that our consistency in showing up for a child teaches them that they are worth someone showing up for.

Let's End the Mental Health Stigma

Written by Donor Relations Manager, Victoria Bittmenn

A friend of mine is a nurse at a local hospital in Fort Worth. While she was asking her routine questions her patient rattled off the prescription medications he was on. She then confirmed and asked if there were any additional medications he can think of, which he replied confidently “no”. At that time a colleague of hers asked her opinion on medicine that’s meant to help with their patients’ battle with depression – something about the pill count and the chance of it reacting negatively to the pain medication they were about to prescribe. Once she helped her colleague, she went back to her patient and started to leave to retrieve the doctor, but then the patient said “Wait, I’m on the same medication as the other patient!”. The nurse looked at him curiously and asked why he didn’t disclose that originally, to which he replied, “I didn’t think it counted”.

There are constant conversations around high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attacks, and other illnesses. In fact, there are more than a billion people1 who have high blood pressure. But did you know there are almost a billion people who live with mental illness too? Why aren’t we hearing more about these individuals?

We all know that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was hard staying at home, taking care of children, working from home, taking care of ourselves, and balancing it all. We realized during the height of the pandemic how crucial mental health is. The children navigating foster care struggled immensely. Up to 80% of children in foster care face significant mental health issues 2 compared to about roughly 18-22% of the general population. As advocates for these children, it’s crucial to destigmatize mental health! We need to have open and more frequent conversations. We need to let the children we serve know that what they are feeling is important and that their mental health matters.

There is still a stigma in our society that thinks talking about mental health and mental illness are taboo – to be tacked onto be part of the 3 big no-no’s to pleasant conversation: money, politics, and religion. However, we can all agree that mental health and mental illness’ come in all shapes and sizes – from traumatic experiences, battle fatigue, bipolar disorder, and all sorts of medical and non-medical related causes. The first step to nip that stigma in the bud is having conversations with friends, family, colleagues, and loved ones. With listening ears and taking the time to learn about mental health and mental illness’ we begin to feel more comfortable talking about it. Let’s encourage each other to create safe space and room for conversations.

People often don’t get the help they need because they often don’t know where to start. Talk to your primary care doctor or your health care provider about mental health problems. Or take advantage of Mental Health America’s free screening tool.

If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.


1 - https://www.who.int/health-topics/hypertension#tab=tab_1

2 - https://www.ncsl.org/research/human-services/mental-health-and-foster-care.aspx

Going the Distance For Children in Foster Care

Are you aware of the current crisis in the Texas foster care system? May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize the importance of communities working together to provide safe environments for children and families. Across the state, there are so many children in foster care who are placed far away from their families and communities, some in a distant part of Texas, and some even out of state.

Johnny, a child in the Texas foster care system, was recently relocated to a facility out of state. Click on the video below to hear Johnny’s story.

During this crisis, CASA of Tarrant County is doing our best to fill the gaps by consistently showing up as caring adults (through our volunteers), expanding the reach of our advocacy and connecting with the most vulnerable children—children like Johnny. We are happy to report that most children in Tarrant County had a CASA volunteer in 2021. With Of the estimated 1,771 children in need of a CASA in 2021, CASA served 69% of them by providing advocates to 1,167 children. Because of your generosity, children who had a CASA volunteer were more likely to find a permanent home than children without a CASA, right here in Tarrant County.

For the children who left foster care, not only were they more likely to find a permanent home if they had a CASA, they also spent less time in foster care. In 2021, Tarrant County children with a CASA volunteer on average spent 22 months in foster care compared to an average 27 months for Tarrant County children without a CASA volunteer. This saves children five months of uncertainty and instability and saves taxpayers over $2,444,000 in daily foster care reimbursements alone.

When a child is away from her home and missing her family, her room, her teacher, her siblings, her pet, and her caregivers, she doesn’t think about taxes. Five months, twenty weeks, or 150 days is a long time for a three-year-old child who is waiting in uncertainty, not knowing who her permanent family will be. With your support, CASA adds urgency to every child’s case and collaboratively engages child welfare staff and family members to find permanent homes for every child served. You, too, can be a part of the solution to this crisis. Donate now and help CASA go the distance for children in foster care!

Thanking the Small Businesses that Support Our Cause!

This week marks National Small Business Week, and we wanted to thank the many small businesses that support our cause year round! In March we hosted our 6th Annual Clay Shoot where we raised nearly $100,000—thank you to the donors and businesses that made this happen!

Meet CASA Volunteer Andrini Hendarton

What made you decide to become a CASA? I truly believe every child deserves the chance to have a bright future.  A CASA volunteer in my Facebook network shared posts about the organization, and I was inspired to serve as the voice of the child 

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? I am a new volunteer, and have had 2 cases of younger children.  The most rewarding part is helping and seeing them “be a child” despite what they have experienced

Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case. With the help of CASA I signed up one child in a little league baseball and another child in piano lessons.  I very much looked forward to watching them play baseball and playing a song on the piano

What is your favorite way to connect with your CASA kid(s)? Since both of my cases are younger children, I bring board games, coloring books on my visits so I can engage with the children in a playful setting.  That has helped form a connection and they know I am there to support them

Why do you think having a CASA volunteer throughout such a chaotic time is important for foster children? I believe it is important for the children to know there are people on their side, whose primary concerns are to care about their well-being.  There might have been changes in their lives, but a CASA volunteer is a constant presence they can depend on.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Each month, there is an awareness that aims to increase awareness and educate the public. In April, a month shared with other awareness’s’ such as National Foster Care Month, National Child Abuse and Prevention Month, Autism Awareness, and others, Sexual Assault Awareness was officially recognized and declared by President Barack Obama in 2009.

Its history in the United States dates back over fifty years to the 1970s when activists started protesting and publicly discussing sexual assault and violence against women - openly advocating for those that have been sexually assaulted. Soon after these taboo topics were discussed on a national level, a movement that started across the pond in England and Belgium, made its way to the United States in 1976 called Take Back the Night. This movement quickly developed into a non-profit that is dedicated to end sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual abuse and all other forms of sexual violence. Finally, in 1994 Congress passed the Violence Against Women Act. The first legislation to require law enforcement to treat domestic violence as a crime, not a private matter.

Even though enormous steps have been made towards ending sexual assault, there is still a long, long way to go. Below are just a few staggering statistics

Take 5 minutes today and read an article about a resource topic that interests you (these are fantastic articles with a plethora of topics to choose from: https://www.nsvrc.org/resource-topics). Among the listed resources are how sexual assault impacts our communities, children, workplace, military, and beyond. Educate yourself and share with a friend or loved one what you have learned so we can continuously raise awareness about the causes and risk factors for sexual assault. And, so we can empower individuals to step up in their communities to prevent such violent acts. 

If you or someone you know have been sexually assaulted, you do not need to feel alone in figuring out what to do next. You can call the free and confidential National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673.

 

National Volunteer Week - Celebrating Our Volunteers

The interactive map above shows the locations that our 443 current CASA volunteers are from! Let’s celebrate the this week and every week for their outstanding advocacy for the abused and neglected children in our community!

Meet current staff member and former volunteer Dapril!
“I always knew that my career would involve helping children. I am an avid volunteer and a former educator with over 20 years of experience working with children. One day I was driving and heard a CASA commercial on the radio. I instantly knew that I wanted to become involved with the organization. I started as an advocate and recently became a Specialist in January 2022. I am from a family of educators, and I thought that teaching was my calling but once I became a CASA advocate, I knew the right career path for me. So, when I am asked about how I am liking my new job, my reply is always, " I am living the dream".”

Meet CASA volunteer Morgan!
Months/Years volunteering: 4 months
Children helped: 1
Favorite thing about CASA: It is a great reminder of the importance of "the little things." There is so much about the world I can't change, but CASA allows me the opportunity to make an impact simply by showing up.
Inspirational quote: I may not be able to change the whole world, but if I can be a light in the darkest time in a child's life, I'll have changed their world for the better.
When not volunteering: You can find me at 1515 Commerce St. - I am a law student at Texas A&M University School of Law.
Fun fact: I grew up on a small farm in Colorado. I have been skydiving. I can say the alphabet backward.

Meet CASA volunteer Esther!

Months/Years volunteering: 3 years
Children helped: 4
Favorite thing about CASA: Spending time with the kids and seeing them grow and develop, and be happy. In addition it gives me so much joy to see birth parents do what they are asked to do in order to get their kids back. I volunteer because as a retired teacher spending time with kids has been my lifelong desire. I believe that children are a blessing from the Lord, and they did not ask to be born, so they deserve all the best once they come into this world.
Inspirational quote: Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier. -Mother Teresa
When not volunteering: I volunteer at my church, go to the gym to work out, and I do a lot of traveling, since I am currently a retired teacher and do not work at this time.

Supporting Autistic Children in Foster Care

April is Autism Acceptance Month. Around half of the children in foster care have a chronic disability. Autistic children, specifically, are 2.4 times more likely to be in foster care than their neurotypical peers.

This month and beyond, CASA of Tarrant County celebrates the autistic children they serve in the foster care system, and calls for more volunteers to advocate for their best interests.

We want every child involved in the foster care system to have an advocate by their side while they go through such an uncertain time in their lives. We are always in need of more volunteers from the community, and we see a special need for volunteers with an openness to better understanding disability culture, and a heart for children with disabilities.

Autism is an often-misunderstood developmental disability that affects how people think, understand the world, move and communicate. It’s estimated that 1 in 59 people are autistic. Autism looks different for every person. Some autistic people might be extra sensitive to sound or light, others might do repetitive motions like rocking back and forth, and others might love to talk about their special interests. Some autistic people are non-speaking. These are just a few examples—every autistic person is unique and has a different level of support needs, hence the term “autism spectrum.”

Youth with disabilities are at an increased risk of experiencing abuse or neglect. Once they’re in foster care, they are more likely to be placed in restrictive, congregate care settings than their peers. They also experience more placement instability and are less likely to be reunified with their family of origin. It is important for CASA volunteers to recognize these realities and the challenges they face, so that they can compassionately and effectively advocate for these children’s needs and help keep them safe while they are in foster care.

Every child and youth in foster care deserves a dedicated advocate focused and dedicated to their unique needs. Autistic young people are no exception. These children deserve someone who will get to know them, celebrate their strengths, help them through their challenges and ensure their voice is heard.

CASA volunteers are specially trained and appointed by judges to advocate for a child or sibling group while they are in the foster care system. They advocate for the child in court, school and other settings; and get to know everyone involved in the child’s life, including their parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors, family members and others.

CASA volunteers advocate first and foremost for children to be reunified with their parents whenever safe and possible. When reunification is not an option, they may advocate for the child to live with another relative or family friend or to be placed in an adoptive home. In all cases, CASA volunteers are steadfast, consistent presences for the children they serve, making sure they are safe and have the resources and connections they need to grow and thrive.

An ideal CASA volunteer for an autistic child will be curious, open minded and happy to meet the child where they are—and to advocate for autistic youth to get the accommodations and resources they need to reach their full potential.

We need more volunteers with an understanding of, or shared experience with, disabilities like autism. We want to work together with this community to make sure our CASA advocacy is the best it can be for the kids we serve. We want to create more positive outcomes for these youth, turn around the statistics, and make sure they have the same chance to thrive as any other youth.

If you’d like to find out more about becoming a CASA volunteer or other ways to get involved visit www.speakupforachild.org/become-an-advocate

Meet CASA Volunteer Diane Foster

What made you decide to become a CASA?
I was a teacher/educator for 35 years. I taught many children that were in the foster care system. Most of those children did not have an advocate. When I retired, I knew that CASA was exactly what I wanted to become. I wanted to help those precious children that needed a cheerleader just for them.

What has been the most rewarding part of being a CASA? This is my first time to be a CASA. I have had the same two little boys for 18 months. The most rewarding part of being a CASA is seeing the boys’ progress. When I first saw the boys, they were sad and missed their mom and dad. They were placed in a very loving home and bonded with their kinship mom and dad. They soon became very happy, giggly, busy little guys.

Please share a special moment with us about your advocacy work with your CASA kid or on your case. When I first became a CASA volunteer, it was the beginning of the COVID lock-down. I first met my little boys (age 2 and 4), via Zoom. What an experience that was! Once a week we would visit by Zoom. Now I know why it is called zoom….the boys would zoom around the room as I read them a book or sang them a song. Finally, the day came when I got to meet them face-to-face. I met them at a park. I thought they would not know me with my mask. The minute they saw me they ran across the park saying, “Miss Diane, Miss Diane.” What a special day that was!

What is your favorite way to connect with your CASA kid(s)? During our COVID Zoom visits, I bought them and me the same set of hand puppets. To keep them focused we would do some story role plays and “act” silly. Now that I see them once a week, we play at the park and have snacks. I always like to help them celebrate special holidays and of course, their birthdays.

Why do you think having a CASA volunteer throughout such a chaotic time is important for foster children? A CASA is the one constant person during this difficult time. One of my boys was in a foster home that was not the best place for him and he was not with his little brother. I advocated for him to be removed and placed in the same home with his little brother. My boys also have had 3 different caseworkers come and go. I have truly learned the meaning of advocate these last 18 months. I am at every hearing with the judge advocating for the safety of my boys. Also, I could not do my work without the amazing help from my CASA Specialist!

Happy Women’s History Month!

Happy Women’s History Month!

Written by Catelyn Devlin, LMSW – Director of Grants & Contracts

March is International Women’s Month, and we are grateful for all the torchbearers who went before us, lighting the way on how to speak up as advocates. Being the first can be a lonely experience, and we are grateful for their heroism and leadership in carving a path for more to follow in their footsteps. Some of the bold and brave women we want to highlight this month include:

·      Grace Lee Boggs – a Chinese American philosopher and social activist. She participated in the 1941 March on Washington. In a spirit of volunteerism shared by CASA, she created Detroit Summer which brought hundreds of volunteers together to work with Detroit children and create community gardens.

·      Dr. Antonia C. Novello – the first woman and the first Hispanic Surgeon General of the United States under George H.W. Bush in 1990. Dr. Novello focused on childhood immunization, the impact of HIV/AIDS on children, global nutrition, childhood injury prevention, and improved health care for Hispanic and Black communities.

·      Saint and Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray – Pauli Murray was a civil rights activist who was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to White passengers in 1940 – fifteen years before Rosa Parks followed in Murray’s footsteps by refusing to give up her seat in 1955. Pauli Murray became a lawyer at Howard University, coined the term Jane Crow to describe the intersection of misogynoir experienced by Black women, and worked to include “sex” as a protected characteristic in the 1964 Civil Rights Act which prohibited discriminating against women in the workplace. Later in life she became the first African American woman to be ordained as an Episcopal priest and became an Episcopal saint after her death.

How are you honoring and celebrating Women’s History this month? We’d love to hear from you!

Images obtained from Pauli Murray Center and The New Yorker

Supporting Families during National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and CASA of Tarrant County is raising awareness of  the need for more dedicated members of the community to step up and become CASA volunteers, and help end child abuse and neglect, through supporting children and their families.

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.

Our volunteers’ first priority is to keep families together whenever safe and possible. Foster care is only a temporary solution to the problems at hand. We need to create long term support networks that work to care for families, make reunification a possibility, and help break the cycle for the next generation.

CASA volunteers are assigned 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, in order to develop a realistic picture of the child’s unique situation. They engage those important to the child and family in order to build a network of support around them, so that the family has access to support and resources after the case ends. They make recommendations to the judge overseeing the child’s case, with the goal of ensuring that the child is safe and the family has the resources, support and healthy relationships needed to heal.

This April, consider stepping up to make a difference by becoming a CASA volunteer. By becoming a volunteer, you can take your efforts beyond just awareness, and do your part to help support children and families in crisis right here in our community.  

When reunification is not a possibility for the children they serve, CASA volunteers work to find others that can provide a positive, healthy and loving environment. These can include relatives, friends or other adults that are important in the child’s life—keeping a child connected to their home community.

We at CASA of Tarrant County always hope for the day when CASA, foster care and a national month dedicated to child abuse prevention are no longer needed because all children are growing up safe, secure and supported with their families. Until then, we will continue to seek more members of the community to join our growing movement so that we can provide a CASA volunteer for every child who needs one.

CASA of Tarrant County will have three pinwheel installations throughout the community during the month of April:

Levitt Pavilion in Arlington, TX - April 1-30
Tarrant County College Trinity River Campus - April 4-30
Southlake Town Square - April 4-18
Each pinwheel represents a child served by CASA last year. Go check them out!

If you see abuse, report it to 1 (800) 252-5400 or go to www.txabusehotline.org. If a child’s life is in danger, call 911. For more information on CASA, visit www.BecomeaCASA.org

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.

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.

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!