Understand the Need
There are over 500,000 children in foster care in the United States (Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) and more than 87,000 of these children reside in the State of California. There are approximately 1,900 foster children in Alameda County. These children are placed in the foster care system through no fault of their own. Children living in foster care have usually faced childhood abuse, neglect or abandonment, sometimes followed by years of instability as they are moved from one foster care placement to another.
Once placed in the foster care system, children face a number of challenges, including: being separated from their family and siblings, mental health and medical issues, educational concerns, sometimes frequent placement and school changes, and older youth who are at risk of being homeless. Every time a child changes foster care or group home placements, their school placement may also change. Thirty-five percent of foster youth have experienced four or more school changes and each school move results in a six month loss of educational progress. (J. A., & Reynolds, A. J. (1999). School mobility and achievement: Longitudinal results from an urban cohort. Journal of School Psychology, 37(4), 355)
Foster children face a lack of consistency among the professionals involved in their case. High child welfare worker caseloads and frequent case reassignments result in little time to develop relationships. Not only do child welfare workers change, but children often lack continuity among other professionals, including: caregivers, attorneys, teachers, therapists, psychiatrists, judges/commissioners, and even their friends. This constant movement of professionals in their lives often leads to a lack of continuity in care. Thirty-five percent of foster youth have experienced four or more school changes and each school move results in a six month loss of educational progress. (J. A., & Reynolds, A. J. (1999). School mobility and achievement: Longitudinal results from an urban cohort. Journal of School Psychology, 37(4), 355)
This is where a CASA can make a significant difference. CASAs ensure that all professionals newly involved in the case are consistently being updated to ensure they have adequate and up-to-date information. Advocates also monitor progress toward established goals and follow up with professionals to ensure tasks are completed in a timely manner. They advocate for sibling visitation, educational support, extracurricular activities, mental health services, etc. CASAs can be the consistent and caring adult for foster children. They can be the person who ensures that the children’s needs are met and help them to achieve positive outcomes.
Advocates can be the difference between success and failure in a child’s life. By simply listening, encouraging, guiding and speaking up for a child, CASA volunteers help these vulnerable children and teens to reach their full potential. Sometimes it is just allowing a child to feel cared about for the first time, and sometimes it is helping to find a loving, permanent home for a child. Clearly, the combination of consistent mentoring and advocacy for a child’s needs results in a much greater chance that these kids will achieve a bright, successful future.
We currently have 100 children on our waitlist who are in need of an advocate. Make the choice to change a foster child’s life today!