April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and CASA of the South Plains is raising awareness for the need for more dedicated members in the community to step up and become CASA Volunteers. By supporting children and their families through advocacy, Volunteers are doing their part to help end child abuse and neglect.
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’ main priority is to create a strong foundation and get children reunited with their families whenever it’s safe and possible,” said Jaclyn Morris, Chief Executive Officer of CASA of the South Plains. “Foster care is not an ideal solution for these children. We need to create long term support networks that work to care for families and help break the cycle for the next generation.”
CASA Volunteers are assigned to one child or sibling group to legally advocate for their best interest. 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 seek out and engage those important to the child and family in order to build a network of support for them, so that the child has access to support and resources after the case ends. CASA Volunteers then make recommendations to the judge, with the goal of ensuring that the child is safe, and has the resources, support and healthy relationships needed to heal and thrive.
“These children in foster care are in desperate need of a CASA Volunteer,” said Morris. “By becoming a volunteer, you can take your efforts beyond awareness, and do your part to help support children and families in crisis right here in our community.”
CASA is asking the community to, not only help spread awareness about Child Abuse Prevention, but also to please report any abuse seen by calling (800) 252-5400 or visiting www.txabusehotline.org. If a child’s life is in danger, call 911. For more information on CASA, visit CASAoftheSouthPlains.org. CASA hosts numerous CASA 101 Information Sessions each month. Visit CASAoftheSouthPlains.org/volunteer to sign up for one today.
About CASA of the South Plains
CASA of the South Plains inspires, educates, and empowers solution-minded community members who are committed to supporting the best interest of children in the foster care system. Volunteer advocates create connections and promote nurturing relationships for the child and family, encouraging hope and healing. Through court appointment and collaborative efforts, volunteer advocates share informed recommendations for the well-being of the child. CASA supports children in six counties in the South Plains: Cochran, Hale, Hockley, Lubbock, Terry, and Yoakum.
CASA’s Impact*
- 415 children received advocacy services from CASA of the South Plains in 2022.
- 255 CASA Volunteers donated a total of 5,258 hours in 2022, saving county taxpayers $289,190 in county paid attorneys’ fees.
- 122 youth in foster care found permanency with the help of their CASA Volunteer in 2022.
*CASA 2022 Calendar Year Statistics
How You Can Help
- Become a CASA Volunteer and help change a child’s life.
- Become a CASA Donor – Join Heroes for Hope and become a monthly donor. Gifts start at just $10 a month. Every gift makes a difference!
- Host a CASA 101 Informational Session – CASA will come to your business and educate and inspire your staff about ways they can impact the life of a child in foster care.
To learn how to become an Advocate, or if you are unable to volunteer at this time and would like to donate, visit www.casaofthesouthplains.org or call (806) 763-2272.
