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  • Gather information "Fact Finders"
  • Visit child in placement once per month
  • Observe parent visit once per month
  • Touch base with specific involved parties
  • Attend court hearings 4-6x per year
  • Ultimate goal: Gather information from every viewpoint, provide recommendations to the judge, and help find permanency for the child(ren)

Promise:

Raising a voice against the unspeakable.

Requirements

  • Cannot be a foster parent, employee of CPS or OCOK, engaged in a custody dispute, or be involved in a foster child's life who has an active case (including respite or babysitting foster children)
  • 21+ years old
  • Pass fingerprint and background checks
  • Flexible daytime schedule
  • Fair and open minded
  • Comfortable working with children who have experienced trauma and abuse.
  • Tarrant Co. is 3rd in the state for child abuse and neglect cases in 2019
  • Harris Co: 6,948 with 1,162 removals
  • Dallas Co: 6,860 with 1,505 removals
  • Tarrant Co: 5,536 with 661 removals
  • Bexar Co: 5,373 with 1,702 removals
  • 3rd in the state for child abuse/neglect related fatalities
  • A CASA volunteer has only 1 case, more time and ability to fully understand and advocate for a child/children, and a Child Advocacy Specialist for case support

Importance of CASA

Welcome to CASA of Tarrant County

Information Session

Children with a CASA Volunteer:

  • Are more likely to find a safe, permanent home
  • Have shorter stays in foster care
  • Do better in school
  • Receive more assistance
  • Are less likely to change placements
  • Are more likely to have a consistent, adult presence
  • Score better on protective factors:
  • Neighborhood resources, interested adults, sense of acceptance, controls against deviant behavior, models of conventional behavior, positive attitude towards the future, valuing achievement, ability to work with others and ability to work out conflicts

The Role of a CASA

Speaking Up

Why You Should Become A CASA

  • Overburdened court and child welfare systems; children are at risk of falling through the cracks
  • CASA advocates for best interest
  • CASA is the only unpaid and unbiased party; judges view CASA as a "friend of the court"

Consistency

About CASA

  • Child(ren) removed from their home; life in flux
  • Needs often go unnoticed/unmet
  • A CASA provides consistency and stability in their otherwise unstable world
  • C.A.S.A: Court Appointed Special Advocate
  • Founded in 1977 by Judge David Soukup in Seattle
  • Came to Tarrant Co. in 1983 by Judge Scott Moore
  • Maintains a highly respected reputation
  • Affiliate of Texas CASA and National CASA

I am for the child...

  • Meet minimum qualifications
  • Complete CASA training in 3 months
  • Commit to a year with CASA

CASA of Tarrant County

Training

Vision:

Provide a CASA volunteer to every child who needs one.

Min. Qualifications

  • Total of 33 hours: 26 hours of training, 4 hours of homework, and 3 hours of court observation (CASA 101 class required FIRST)
  • All classes and pre-training requirements must be completed prior to graduation
  • Swear-in takes place after last session
  • 12 hours of continued education annually

Pre-Training

  • Submit application (it will be emailed to you)
  • References to complete survey
  • 1 Relative, 1 Supervisor, and 2 Close Friends/Co-Workers
  • Complete an interview (virtual)
  • Provide a $26 fee (CASA badge and DFPS background check)

Mission:

CASA of Tarrant County and its court-appointed volunteers advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children.

Duties of a CASA

QUESTIONS?

Lauren Pavlasek

817-877-5891

lauren.pavlasek@casatc.org

Upcoming Events

SUPERHERO RUN

Time Commitment

  • Average monthly commitment of 12-15 hours per month (includes travel time, documentation, visits, etc.)
  • Mileage can be used as a tax write-off (CASA tracks this)
  • Court hearings scheduled 2 weeks in advance (60d, 6m, 10m, 12m)

CASA kids on canvas

April 23, 2020

6-8 at Brik

Fort Worth, TX

Help us grow!

speakupforachild.org/casa-kids-on-canvas

March 27, 2020

Alpine Shooting Range

Fort Worth, TX

casaclayshoot.org

6th Annual Superhero Run

October 26, 2019 Levitt Pavilion

www.casatarrantsuperherorun.com

  • Nominate a CASA
  • Donate items or financially
  • Host an Information Session
  • Make your special event benefit CASA
  • Share about us on social media!

Foster Care & CASA

The Need

  • Ongoing list of over 500 children waiting to be served. There were 2,005 children in care in 2019.
  • Male volunteers are crucial and desperately needed; often times, boys in foster care do not have a reliable or positive male role model in their lives. Only 17% of our volunteers are male.
  • Ultimately, the cost of action is far more affordable than the cost of inaction

Child suffers abuse, neglect, or abandonment. DFPS is called.

How it Starts

Local CPS investigates. Typically leads to one of three outcomes: abuse or neglect is ruled out due to lack of evidence; voluntary services are put into place; removal.

Investigation

CPS explores placement options such as a relative or friend to prevent a removal or they submit a referral to Our Community Our Kids to identify a licensed foster home.

Removal

CASA requests a judge approve the appointment of a CASA to the case.

If approved, a CASA volunteer is matched to the case. Once assigned, the CASA begins their journey to advocate for the best interest of the child.

CASA Assigned

Once placed, a case plan, family visitation, therapy, case management services and behavioral support all commence.

Reunification with parents or family | Adoption | Age Out (18+)

Next Steps

Outcome

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