Introducing 

Prezi AI.

Your new presentation assistant.

Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.

Loading…
Transcript

CASA OF

TARRANT COUNTY

INFORMATION SESSION

MISSION

OVER 400 VOLUNTEERS

IN TARRANT COUNTY

WHAT IS CASA?

CASA of Tarrant County and it's court appointed volunteers advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children.

TARRANT COUNTY CASA

97,900 CASA

volunteers

nationally

Court

Appointed

Special

Advocate

Vision

73 DIFFERENT PROGRAMS

IN TEXAS ALONE.

To provide a CASA volunteer to every child who needs one.

IMPORTANCE

OF A CASA

WHY WE NEED CASA VOLUNTEERS...

In 2022, Tarrant County ranked 3rd in the state for child abuse & neglect victims.

Dallas Co. - 5,818 victims of abuse; 738 children removed

Harris Co. - 5,622 victims of abuse; 566 children removed

Tarrant Co. - 5,506 victims of abuse; 555 children removed.

Bexar Co. - 4,972 victims of abuse; 1,074 children removed.

By reducing time in foster care, CASA saves Tarrant County taxpayers

$1.6 million annually!

There were 1,943 children in foster care in Tarrant County last year.

443 were African American.

40.5%

The cost of action is far more affordable than the cost of inaction.

Foster children (without a CASA) are at greater risk for social challenges:

- 50% are in jail by 23

- 25% homeless

How CASA makes a difference...

A CASA Volunteer:

  • Helps reestablish healthy family connections & advocate for reunification with family.
  • Not CPS.
  • Advocates by speaking up for the best interest of the children they serve inside and outside of the court room.
  • Has only one case and more time to fully devote to a child(ren) in foster care.
  • Provides a consistent presence in a child's life during their time in foster care.
  • Is the only unpaid & unbiased party in the case.
  • Has a Child Advocacy Specialist on staff at CASA for case support.
  • Advocate for the future of the child.

Children with a CASA volunteer...

Has more educational supports in place.

Are more likely to have a consistent adult presence in their lives.

Have shorter stays in foster care & are less likely to change placements.

95% of children with a CASA find a permanent home.

(v. only 85% without)

79% of children with a CASA are reunited with their family.

(v. only 57% without)

WHAT WE NEED...

Black / African American / POC volunteers are needed. In 2022, 38% of children in foster care in Tarrant County identified as Black/African American. Only 14% of our current volunteers reflect the ethnicity of the children we serve.

Dedicated & committed volunteers with a flexible daytime schedule who are willing and able to commit to being a CASA volunteer for the duration of a case (one year or more).

Male volunteers are especially crucial. Only 13% of our volunteers are male. Boys & girls in foster care usually lack a positive male role model in their lives.

Bilingual volunteers are needed. In order to connect with children culturally and be able to advocate for them regardless of a language barrier. In 2022, 30% of the children in foster care in Tarrant County were Hispanic. Only 10% of our current volunteers are Hispanic.

LGBTQ+ volunteers are needed for youth who identify as LGBTQ+. They need an affirming ally who is willing to work to remove barriers and advocate for their well-being.

DUTIES OF A CASA

ULTIMATE GOAL:

Gather information from every viewpoint to provide an unbiased recommendation for the child's physical and emotional well being to the judge.

MONTHLY DUTIES

(on average 12-15 hours)

  • Visit child(ren):
  • face to face at least once per month.

  • Contact:
  • Parent (with attorney permission), OCOK Permanency Caseworker, Child Caregiver (i.e. fictive kin, foster parent, etc.), and CASA Child Advocacy Specialist

  • Establish and maintain communication:
  • With family members and fictive kin to create a network for the child (CFE).

  • Documentation

TIME COMMITMENT

QUARTERLY DUTIES

  • Attend court hearings 4-5x per year (weekday/daytime)
  • Scheduled 2 weeks in advance
  • Timeline: 60 day, 6 month, 10 month, 12 month

  • Connect with other involved parties (lawyers, teachers, therapists, doctors, etc.)

HOW TO

BECOME ONE

& NEXT STEPS

"Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

We want to provide a

CASA to every child who

needs one.

IF YOU ARE READY TO APPLY...

4. Zoom interview with CASA Staff!

(submit $27 app fee)

2. Sign up for an Interview

(Admissions Specialist will reach out via email)

3. Submit Interview Paperwork & documents

5. Reference Check & Training Paperwork completed.

1. Fill out application

(will be emailed to you)

Five references needed:

  • 1 professional (supervisor if applicable)
  • 1 relative/household member
  • 3 personal (friends, neighbors, colleagues, etc.)

Emails should be personal email addresses.

6. Complete CASA Training

7. Swear in by a judge at the courthouse!

  • We follow Texas CASA curriculum
  • Training is 30 hours:

Includes 8 classes that are 3 hours each. Pre-work required before each class

  • One in person court observation required.
  • Training is set up to be completed within one month.

Other Ways to Get Involved

  • Nominate a CASA
  • Donate items or financially
  • Host an Information Session
  • Become a Helping Heart
  • Follow us on social media!
  • Check our website for upcoming events!

Other Ways to Get Involved

  • Nominate a CASA
  • Donate items or financially
  • Host an Information Session
  • Become a Helping Heart
  • Follow us on social media!
  • Check our website for upcoming events!

Angel Theodore

Angel.theodore@casatc.org

Learn more about creating dynamic, engaging presentations with Prezi