20 Years of Investing in Child Welfare
By Shellie Velasco, Senior Program Officer
Every April, communities across the country recognize and promote Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is a dedicated time of recognizing the numbers of child victims of abuse and neglect and focusing on what can be done going forward to prevent additional children from experiencing harm.
I know God’s design is for parents to rais e their children in safe, nurturing families, in loving environments free from abuse. Over the past 20 years, The Rees-Jones Foundation has partnered with a number of agencies that are walking alongside parents to support them doing just that – through home visiting services, residential programs, mentoring, case management, education classes, and more. While connected to these services, parents are often able to grow their circle of support and enhance their skills to help their children thrive.
However, there are times when it is deemed necessary to remove a child from their parents and place them into foster care. In these scenarios, there are many individuals and organizations that come together in support of the child. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is one model of service advocating for a child’s best interest after they are placed into care. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges and help ensure children are safe in their foster placements and are receiving appropriate support for their physical, mental, and educational needs. Volunteers are a consistent source of support and stability for children during their time in substitute care. They remain connected to their assigned foster children, even when movement of children to different foster placements occurs.
CASA volunteers help gather critical information for judges utilized to determine what placements and services are in the best interest of each child. Volunteers make regular visits to their assigned foster children and stay in contact with foster parents, children’s biological family members, legal and child welfare professionals, educators, and other services providers. CASA volunteers help keep all parties connected and in good communication regarding each child’s case.
Since we began funding CASA organizations in 2008, the Foundation has partnered with several quality CASA programs in North Texas and have watched them grow to meet the needs of children. For instance, Dallas CASA has increased their capacity over the years to provide a volunteer advocate for every Dallas County child who is eligible for and would benefit from their support. Considering the number of children served each year (2,000+), this is no small feat.
We hear about the impact advocates are having not only on children’s current wellbeing, but also on their future stability. One volunteer with CASA of Denton County realized a placement was about to fall through. She tracked down extended family in another state who were thrilled to reconnect and welcomed the child into a loving, permanent home. The names of these family members had already existed on a list, but the advocate was able to move things forward to the child’s benefit. This is just one of many examples of the excellent work being done by CASA volunteers in our communities.
I have been fortunate during my time at The Rees-Jones Foundation to interact with several quality North Texas CASA programs. My hope first and foremost is for children to be able to stay with their parents throughout their childhood, never experiencing abuse or neglect. But when this is not the reality for some, I am grateful there are CASA staff and volunteers who have said ‘yes’ to serving these children when needed. Navigating the complex child welfare system and supporting children who have endured trauma in their life is not the easiest of assignments. I thank God for those who have felt called to this work. I know many children have benefited from having a CASA in their corner.