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CASA Program
Every year the Texas Department of Child Protective Services removes
thousands of Texas children from their homes because of severe abuse,
neglect, or domestic violence. These victimized children are subjected
to criminal justice and child welfare systems that are poorly funded
and equipped to deal with the special needs and concerns of raising
foster care children. Eventually, they end up in court. These children
are victims, yet they will be sentenced to months or years in state
custody. Child abuse is heart breaking. But imagine the fear of these
young victims as they move through the maze of a judicial system that
will decide their futures.
In 2005, 785 children were placed in foster care and foster care costs
in Central Texas exceeded more than $5.8 million dollars. (DFPS
2005 Data Book). Based on these statistics the communities
recognize the need for a CASA program. The role of the CASA
volunteer is to represent the best interest of abused and/or neglected
children in court. A CASA volunteer provides the judge with a
carefully researched background of the child to help the court make
sound decisions about the child’s future. The CASA
volunteer must determine if it is in the child’s best interest to
stay with his or her parents or guardians, stay in foster care, be
placed with relatives, or be freed for adoption. The CASA
volunteer does not provide legal representation, however does provide
crucial background that may assist attorney’s in presenting their
cases. This role is defined by the program and supported by the
court. The court recognizes CASA volunteers as guardian ad
litems.
Help a foster child, become a CASA today. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE CHILD AT A TIME! Please see the calendar for training classes, times, and places.
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