Page 108 - Family Resource Guide

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES NORTH STATE PARENT FAMILY RESOURCE GUIDE FALL/WINTER 2021/2022
CASA Volunteers - A Voice For Foster Children
BY AMY DIAMANTINE & KAREN SCHEAFER
Have you heard of the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program? CASA is a national program that aims to ensure that every child
in the foster care system has a dedicated adult that will be their voice and ensure that their needs are being met.
CASA volunteers are officers of the court
The CASA Program for Butte, Glenn, Shasta and Te- hama Counties is under the umbrella of Northern Valley Catholic Social Service (NVCSS). The NVCSS CASA Pro- gram recruits and trains volunteers to advocate for a child in our local dependency system, making a difference for an abused and neglected child. To become a CASA you must be at least 21 years of age, pass a background clearance, complete an online application, and attend a required training. The virtual trainings are regional, cov- ering the program requirements and an overview of the dependency system.
When a volunteer has completed the background check and training, they are sworn in as officers of the court in their county and assigned a case. The length of a case var- ies from case to case, but each volunteer is asked to commit to a minimum of one year, with the goal of remaining on the case until a plan of permanency has been reached.
Every child deserves to have someone in their corner
A CASA’s role is primarily advocating for the foster child, gathering information and building a trusting rela- tionship with the child. The time each volunteer spends with the child varies, but typically it ranges from 10-20 hours per month. The activities can vary from taking the child to the library, swimming, kayaking, biking, hiking, and shopping. This is your chance to get to know your child and build a relationship.
Rick, a current CASA from Shasta County says, “Every child deserves to have someone in their corner who will look out for their interests. I am grateful for the opportu- nity to be a CASA for children placed in the foster system.”
There are currently more than 1,200 children in the foster care system in Butte, Glenn, Shasta and Tehama Counties. NVCSS CASA is currently serving 124 of those children, which is less than 10%. Ultimately, we would want every child in the foster care system to have a CASA to stand up for them and be their advocate.
Maureen, from Tehama County says, “Volunteerism is a passion to me and an essential part of my life. Being a CASA and assisting children whose lives have been
unimaginably disrupted by the actions of the adults in their lives seems worthwhile and necessary. As a life-long learner, the opportunity to become more informed about the child welfare system is also a plus”.
An opportunity to help change a child’s story
Becoming a CASA volunteer is an opportunity to help change a child’s story. It is a way to make an impact on a foster child and to give back to your community. Fos- ter children have been removed from their home, family, friends, and the only community that they have known.
Being a CASA means being the voice for a foster child who often feels helpless in a situation that wasn’t their fault. It is an opportunity to be a role model for a foster child who may not have always had a positive adult in their life. For many children, their CASA is that one per- son that chooses to be there for them, the person that believes every child should be given the opportunity to strive in a safe and loving home.
For more information on how you can change the sto- ry of a foster child in your community please contact NVCSS CASA at (844) 254-CASA (2272). or email casainfo@nvcss.org.
108 North State Parent Family Resource Guide Fall/Winter 2021/2022 • www.northstateparent.com