Tim Bigelow from CASA presented to the group today about adoption and foster care and the work that CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) does in the community. CASA was founded in 1977 by a judge in Seattle, Washington, who saw a need to put a volunteer with a foster-care child to make sure that these children had someone to advocate for their needs and to prevent them from becoming lost in the court system.

CASA has 13 employees, and about 300 volunteers throughout the county. Each volunteer completes 30 hours of training per person and go through rigorous background checks. They become officers of the court, taking notes during meetings with each child (which are presented to the judge presiding over the child’s court case) and learning specifically how to work with children in tough home situations. In Santa Barbara County today, there are about 500 foster care children. About 85% of cases come from homes with significant substance abuse problems. One CASA volunteer is paired with each child. Each CASA volunteer meets with their child for at least 1 hour/week. Volunteers make sure children are getting all the therapy, medical care, and help with school that they need. These volunteers also do activities with the children, making sure they get birthday and holiday celebrations, for instance. On average a court case lasts about 2 years, and in about half of the cases, the child is reunited with their biological parents (after the parents have received help and treatment for the issues they were facing). In 25% of cases, the child is adopted by a new family (which may be a relative), and the remaining 25% age out of the system (although CASA can work with young people until 21 years of age).

Research has shown the importance of a child having at least one stable, positive adult role-model in their lives. A child that has a CASA will be less likely to end up homeless, to abuse drugs, to join a gang, to go to jail, and they will be more likely to stay in school and get an education. There are about 40 children on the wait list right now (babies to teenagers), and CASA is looking for volunteers! There are two programs currently offered (in addition to volunteering) to support CASA: “Sponsor a CASA Youth” ($2,500 is enough to sponsor one child to have CASA support for a whole year) and “Circle of Hope” (a $20 per month donation to help support the work of CASA). If you are interested, please see Tim Bigelow for more information.

 

SBCASA.org