Our CASA Children – Anne Arundel County CASA, Inc.

WHO ARE THE CASA CHILDREN?

In Anne Arundel County, CASA volunteers are appointed to children between the ages of birth to 21, who have been abused or neglected and are in the foster care system. Our children come in all colors, shapes and sizes.

All of them have suffered the trauma of abuse and neglect and being separated from their family, friends, pets, school, and neighborhood. Their whole world has been turned upside down and they now find themselves living with strangers.

In addition, many of our children suffer from learning disabilities, developmental delays, physical disabilities, emotional issues and trauma.

The longer these children are in the system, the more chaotic their lives become; moving from foster home to foster home, changing schools, social workers who come and go, and family who no longer visit.

How do children benefit from a CASA?

Children who have a CASA:

Spend less time in foster care, are moved less frequently and are more likely to be placed with brothers and sisters.

Children who have a CASA receive more services and have one consistent person advocating for them.

The experts on CASA:

The United States Department of Health and Human Services gives CASA programs working on behalf of children their highest recommendation. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention recognizes CASA as a safety net for abused children and an effective partner in delinquency prevention.

The Council of Family Court Judges acknowledges the work of CASA in ensuring safe and permanent homes for abused and neglected children. The National Bar Association endorses the appointment of CASA to represent the best interests of abused/neglected children, and recognizes that CASA volunteers prevent thousands of children from becoming stranded in the courts and foster care.

Findings from the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Justice:

Children with a CASA volunteer are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care (more than 3 years in care).

When a CASA volunteer is involved, both children and their parents are ordered by the courts to receive more services, indicating that “CASA is effective in identifying the needs of children and parents.”

Cases involving a CASA volunteer are more likely to be permanently closed than cases where a CASA volunteer is not involved and children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to be adopted.

BECOME A SPONSOR

Learn how your business or corporation can become a sponsor for CASA, and the direct impact your financial contribution makes to our organization, including the opportunities to get involved and make a difference in the work we do.