Used to be a foster care licensing specialist and case worker, love that you're talking about CASA volunteers, they're honestly usually the most helpful advocates for foster kids, in my personal experience. Truly wonderful, selfless people.
I asked during my time on foster care about having a CASA worker only to find out that I had one the whole time. They never contacted me. They never met up with me, introduced themselves, called, or anything when I was in care. If they don't know who I am, how did they personally advocate for me? I was told by my foster parent this was normal for most kids in my county to never meet their CASA. I certainly could of used one. My other foster sister had one met with her and volunteered to be mine but they wouldn't let her because I already 'had' one.
Its crazy that this is a volunteer role and not a job. Our government should ABSOLUTELY be paying people for this kinda role. They care so little for the children of this country. Edit: I just want to clarify, I think this role is insanely important to these children. It just blows my mind that it's a volunteer role and not a government job. We should have more government jobs geared towards the protection of children. I am saying that, in a country that put so much importance on having babies. It cares so little for the actual children that kind and beautiful people have to step up and volunteer to protect them because our government won't!
I’ll am a potential Volunteer and would gladly take financial support from you. Milage, day expenses, etc. Classes are 50 miles away and I have to attend 4 times for the first month.
it's more about exploiting the good will of caring people i think 😢 they know people will do this for passion instead of for money, and take advantage.
When I was a CASA, my kiddo was so used to workers coming in and out of their life that it actually made a huge difference in trust to know that I was volunteering. That it wasn't "just a job" to me and I was really there because I WANTED to be.
@@adviceman66 if I had the money to support you and everyone else that does this amazing work, I would. But I don't. I am broke! You know who does though? The US government. However the government doesn't think the protection of our children is as important. I mean, look at how it treats our teachers? And how, after so many tragic school shootings, laws still haven't changed. I think you're incredible for doing this and volunteering to do this. I am just saying it shouldn't be this way.
I was trying to be a CASA but it is so much work. Hopefully in a year I will be able to situate myself and help out in any way I can. A lot of the people that went to the info session seemed to be elderly retired folk. Seems really hard to manage as someone who is living paycheck to paycheck and has their own kids as the_ suggest the kids not interacting with any other kids in your personal life as it is super important to have a space where the kiddo knows they are important and not sharing the spotlight with anyone. Even after the 40 hour initial training you have continuous education
My niece became a CASA years ago. I think it was a major motivator for her to go back to school to train as a therapist and leave her established career and become a therapist for adolescents
Omg you just unlocked an early memory for me! When my brothers and I were placed with our grandparents, we were assigned a CASA worker. She was so sweet and always brought us books which made me super happy. I loved reading and she always brought the best books 🥰
In my area CASAs are expected to meet with their foster kid weekly, not monthly. The time commitment can vary wildly. For kids who are in stable long term placements It can be about 10 hours a month. In my case there was a sibling group split across three counties with long commutes, 3-4 extremely contentious court hearings a year dealing with reunification and subsequently long term guardianship and adoption, plus case reviews with my CASA supervisor. It was more like 40 hours a month. I loved my experience, but it is not for the faint of heart.
Me and my two friends raise money at one of my friends moms coffee shop on valentines weekend and than donate it to are local CASA last year, we made $300. We also put some of our own money in and then whenever we can all get together, we take it in to CASA usually a day after school and then we go to coffee shop and grab a drink before everyone leaves
@dovie2blue it depends on the attunement and diligence of the person, and that varies across everyone, not just elderly people- being "elderly" in and of itself certainly does not render someone incapable.
Oh my gosh. I would love to do something like that. I worked with all different types of kids in the school system that had different types of needs. I did it for 15 years and I’ll tell you what. It was such an underpaid job but the most rewarding. I loved the kids that I worked with.
I'm so glad you mentioned this! I would like to foster eventually but our home isn't quite there yet. However, I am a certified paralegal and I think this is a great way I could help in the meantime!
My Nana otherwise known as my grandma was somewhere higher up in our small town CASA so she would also go to court. Hearing all the stories that she would tell us (when the case was over and if she was allowed) broke my heart to hear what the kids had been through but glad she was able to make a difference
My friend is writing an extensive book on his experience as a foster parent and adoptive parent. I helped do a lot of his research and have referred him to your channel at times.
@@Joy6168 the children he adopted and fostered are still minors. However, in my parts of research, he focused on all sides - the child, the biological parent, the adoptive/foster parent, and agencies/govt/etc.
Thank you for this I'm a highschooler and looking for things I wanna do with my future this is definitely something I will think about doing even if I won't get paid
Actually, a Guardian Ad Litem is a different role. They are attorneys who advocate for children as a paid job. A Guardian Ad Litem is usually much less involved with the children, but has more legal sway. (From what I understand. I've only barely started researching this. )
@@carynpinkston1939 - I'm a guardian ad litem and in at least my state (Virginia), your description is accurate. A CASA volunteer may have just a family or two they work with, while I have at least a couple dozen. The CASA workers then can give more individual attention, and when the kids need something, they let me know and I can get it done.
I've come to correct myself. In some districts, CASAs and Guardian ad Litems are as I described, but in other places, those terms are used differently. Sorry about that.
@@carynpinkston1939 In my state, a Guardian ad Litem in a private divorce or custody case is paid and usually an attorney. However, in dependency court that helps children removed from their parents/ caregivers due to neglect, abuse, abandonment, etc., there is a Guardian ad Litem volunteer appointed to every child or sibling group (as long as there are GAL's available). Guardians ad Litem are advocating for the child or sibling group not only in court, but at the meetings held by the social services agency that can affect the well being of the child(ren). They also observe parents' supervised visits, communicate with the child(ren)'s teacher or daycare staff, obtain records regarding services being provided to the child(ren) and regarding how the parents are changing the behavior that brought the child(ren) into care. Some Guardians ad Litem stay connected to kids for whom they were appointed long after the court case has closed. Every state has its own criteria for Guardians ad Litem, if that sort of advocate is provided for by statute or rule of procedure.
CASA- someone who makes someone in foster care feel safe. To call a place "home" means safety and familiarity- these people are home for foster kids?! :D
Guardianship is when a foster parent takes care of the foster child, by providing basic needs, yet still allows a relationship with the child’s biological family. Adoption is cutting off all relationships with the biological family, claiming the foster or adoptive family is the child’s family.
In my state, when a child is removed by social services due to neglect, abuse or abandonment, etc., there are basically three outcomes: reunification with parent(s), permanent guardianship, or termination of parental rights that leads to adoption. There can be exceptions, but usually an adoption ends the parents' rights to have contact with the child and the court relinquishes jurisdiction as soon as the adoption is finalized; however, the court retains jurisdiction when a child is placed in a permanent guardianship with a relative/ foster parent/family friend and the parent(s) can petition to re-open the case to be reunified with the child when the parent(s) has/have successfully modified the behavior that caused the child to come into state care.
In some states they are called Guardians ad Litem. Not all are volunteers though because we don’t have enough volunteers for every child in care. I’m on staff and supervise the volunteers, but when I don’t have one for a case (which is about half my caseload-30 kids or so), I’m the only one advocating for them. They also have an attorney on the team.
My momma did this and loved it but sadly volunteer roles don’t pay bills, they should be paying people so those kids have a person to advocate for them besides their new foster parents
I know people are saying about pay but, as this is a volunteer role you know there is the right people, doing it for the KIDS! If it was paid you may have people in it for money and would be damaging for a child, I agree they should get something but its hard
my partners niece was/is in foster care. she's 18 now. but when we had her the CASA quit because his niece was so volitile and disrespectful during a phone call. it's hard when they're so angry and at the point of "im basically an adult i can do whatever i want". 😞 she made us feel like failures. i don't know if we'll ever be able to help another kid out again..
In divorce there’s so,etching called a GAL or a guardian at lidome this very similar to what they do there used so that kids don’t have to be in the court room as much me and my brothers have one right now who is a,asking
Usually it is by county. Search your county’s CASA on Google. Hopefully you can see how to sign up. My mom does it here in NJ and it is definitely a commitment she couldn’t do when she was working full time, but now she can commit the time it takes.
Social workers are usually overloaded with cases and can't/won't give children the attention they need. These CASAs are supposed to be dedicated to a single child or sibling group.
Social workers or caseworkers usually work on behalf of an entire family unit. Their goal, at least initially, is family reunification and parents may need extensive services such as parenting classes and substance abuse treatment. A CASA’s role is to represent and advocate for the best interests of only the child.
You have to be 22 years old and pass a background check then go through training. In Indiana, it is 36 hours initially then 12 hours every year after that
I wish yall realized how many of you are completely and utterly biased. I know youre not awful, as someone who went through the shstem as a child and again with their own children. There are absolutely people working for the State who dont want parents to succeed. Adoption is an industry, it doesn't save most children from anything but their own identity.
What parents?? They don’t have parents. That’s the whole problem. These children are orphans and wards of the court. That’s why they bounced from one foster home to the next. The whole problem is these kids *don’t* have anyone looking out for their interests over the longer term.
Please try to expand your perspective. This is a really tone-deaf comment. I know that sometimes the foster system breaks good families apart, but sometimes some biological parents were abusing their kid. No one, especially kids, deserve to live with someone abusing or neglecting them.
@LunaFlame, Huh? The parents that have been unable to properly care for their children and have their own interests that may conflict with the child's needs is who you believe should be their only advocate?
Used to be a foster care licensing specialist and case worker, love that you're talking about CASA volunteers, they're honestly usually the most helpful advocates for foster kids, in my personal experience. Truly wonderful, selfless people.
I luv being a CASA. I miss my nursing career. Having a psych and hospice nurse background is so helpful.
These are Gods army of angels on Earth. ❤️ 🙏🏻
I asked during my time on foster care about having a CASA worker only to find out that I had one the whole time. They never contacted me. They never met up with me, introduced themselves, called, or anything when I was in care. If they don't know who I am, how did they personally advocate for me? I was told by my foster parent this was normal for most kids in my county to never meet their CASA. I certainly could of used one. My other foster sister had one met with her and volunteered to be mine but they wouldn't let her because I already 'had' one.
That's a real shame. Someone really failed you
That is awful. I’m so sorry that happened to you. There are great CASAs out there, but this was a huge failure for you.
😢
My Mom was a casa and found it so rewarding but also heartbreaking.
Yeah I started the training but decided it wasn't for me. God bless all the people who can do it.
God Bless her and all those who do this great work! 🙏🏻
Its crazy that this is a volunteer role and not a job. Our government should ABSOLUTELY be paying people for this kinda role. They care so little for the children of this country.
Edit: I just want to clarify, I think this role is insanely important to these children. It just blows my mind that it's a volunteer role and not a government job. We should have more government jobs geared towards the protection of children. I am saying that, in a country that put so much importance on having babies. It cares so little for the actual children that kind and beautiful people have to step up and volunteer to protect them because our government won't!
I’ll am a potential Volunteer and would gladly take financial support from you. Milage, day expenses, etc. Classes are 50 miles away and I have to attend 4 times for the first month.
it's more about exploiting the good will of caring people i think 😢 they know people will do this for passion instead of for money, and take advantage.
When I was a CASA, my kiddo was so used to workers coming in and out of their life that it actually made a huge difference in trust to know that I was volunteering. That it wasn't "just a job" to me and I was really there because I WANTED to be.
@@adviceman66 if I had the money to support you and everyone else that does this amazing work, I would. But I don't. I am broke! You know who does though? The US government. However the government doesn't think the protection of our children is as important. I mean, look at how it treats our teachers? And how, after so many tragic school shootings, laws still haven't changed. I think you're incredible for doing this and volunteering to do this. I am just saying it shouldn't be this way.
I was trying to be a CASA but it is so much work. Hopefully in a year I will be able to situate myself and help out in any way I can. A lot of the people that went to the info session seemed to be elderly retired folk. Seems really hard to manage as someone who is living paycheck to paycheck and has their own kids as the_ suggest the kids not interacting with any other kids in your personal life as it is super important to have a space where the kiddo knows they are important and not sharing the spotlight with anyone. Even after the 40 hour initial training you have continuous education
"what is a CASA?"
my first thought: "🏠"
My niece became a CASA years ago. I think it was a major motivator for her to go back to school to train as a therapist and leave her established career and become a therapist for adolescents
Omg you just unlocked an early memory for me! When my brothers and I were placed with our grandparents, we were assigned a CASA worker. She was so sweet and always brought us books which made me super happy. I loved reading and she always brought the best books 🥰
My mom did CASA for a while. She had a really nice group of kids.
In my area CASAs are expected to meet with their foster kid weekly, not monthly. The time commitment can vary wildly. For kids who are in stable long term placements It can be about 10 hours a month. In my case there was a sibling group split across three counties with long commutes, 3-4 extremely contentious court hearings a year dealing with reunification and subsequently long term guardianship and adoption, plus case reviews with my CASA supervisor. It was more like 40 hours a month. I loved my experience, but it is not for the faint of heart.
Wow, so tremendously important
Me and my two friends raise money at one of my friends moms coffee shop on valentines weekend and than donate it to are local CASA last year, we made $300. We also put some of our own money in and then whenever we can all get together, we take it in to CASA usually a day after school and then we go to coffee shop and grab a drink before everyone leaves
This could be something an elderly person could be envolved with.
Not truly elderly because of the skills and diligence required. But in some other capacity, perhaps.
@dovie2blue it depends on the attunement and diligence of the person, and that varies across everyone, not just elderly people- being "elderly" in and of itself certainly does not render someone incapable.
I had a wonderful Casa worker when I was in foster care.❤
Oh my gosh. I would love to do something like that. I worked with all different types of kids in the school system that had different types of needs. I did it for 15 years and I’ll tell you what. It was such an underpaid job but the most rewarding. I loved the kids that I worked with.
This is such an important UA-cam short. I hope it's able to spread widely and find the people who are right for this role!
I'm so glad you mentioned this! I would like to foster eventually but our home isn't quite there yet. However, I am a certified paralegal and I think this is a great way I could help in the meantime!
My Nana otherwise known as my grandma was somewhere higher up in our small town CASA so she would also go to court. Hearing all the stories that she would tell us (when the case was over and if she was allowed) broke my heart to hear what the kids had been through but glad she was able to make a difference
That is great and so important for kids to have an advocate throughout changing from foster care house to house.👍
My friend is writing an extensive book on his experience as a foster parent and adoptive parent. I helped do a lot of his research and have referred him to your channel at times.
That’s good…did he record experiences from the adoptees themselves too, or just from adoptive and foster parents?
@@Joy6168 the children he adopted and fostered are still minors. However, in my parts of research, he focused on all sides - the child, the biological parent, the adoptive/foster parent, and agencies/govt/etc.
@@bmckong that’s very relieving to hear, thanks for letting me know that!
I didn't have a CASA, but I think my sister does. I wonder if it's new? I'm happy she has so many people who will advocate for her.
CASA has been around for a very long time but there is a scarcity of volunteers so not every kid who could use one gets one.
Thank you for this I'm a highschooler and looking for things I wanna do with my future this is definitely something I will think about doing even if I won't get paid
I think you have to be over 21 but glad you're thinking about it!!💜💜💜
Wonderful!
I had a GAL no CASA in my county. She was retired and in soberiety too. I didnt know this until i saw her in a meeting after our case was closed.
Guardian ad Litem and CASA are pretty much the same thing. Some states have one and some have the other.
I wish I had the time to give to this. It’s sooooo important.
An incredible and challenging role.. also called a Guardian ad Litem
Actually, a Guardian Ad Litem is a different role. They are attorneys who advocate for children as a paid job. A Guardian Ad Litem is usually much less involved with the children, but has more legal sway. (From what I understand. I've only barely started researching this. )
@@carynpinkston1939You are exactly correct
@@carynpinkston1939 - I'm a guardian ad litem and in at least my state (Virginia), your description is accurate. A CASA volunteer may have just a family or two they work with, while I have at least a couple dozen. The CASA workers then can give more individual attention, and when the kids need something, they let me know and I can get it done.
I've come to correct myself. In some districts, CASAs and Guardian ad Litems are as I described, but in other places, those terms are used differently. Sorry about that.
@@carynpinkston1939 In my state, a Guardian ad Litem in a private divorce or custody case is paid and usually an attorney. However, in dependency court that helps children removed from their parents/ caregivers due to neglect, abuse, abandonment, etc., there is a Guardian ad Litem volunteer appointed to every child or sibling group (as long as there are GAL's available). Guardians ad Litem are advocating for the child or sibling group not only in court, but at the meetings held by the social services agency that can affect the well being of the child(ren). They also observe parents' supervised visits, communicate with the child(ren)'s teacher or daycare staff, obtain records regarding services being provided to the child(ren) and regarding how the parents are changing the behavior that brought the child(ren) into care. Some Guardians ad Litem stay connected to kids for whom they were appointed long after the court case has closed. Every state has its own criteria for Guardians ad Litem, if that sort of advocate is provided for by statute or rule of procedure.
We had over 65 foster kids but because of the fact that there were so few CASA volunteers we only had the opportunity to work with 3 of them.
Love CASA!! My sorority in college donated to CASA!
CASA- someone who makes someone in foster care feel safe. To call a place "home" means safety and familiarity- these people are home for foster kids?! :D
In southwest Florida they are called Guardian ad Litem”GAL”
i believe that’s actually something different and is a paid position
Can you do one about guardianships vs adoption
Guardianship is when a foster parent takes care of the foster child, by providing basic needs, yet still allows a relationship with the child’s biological family. Adoption is cutting off all relationships with the biological family, claiming the foster or adoptive family is the child’s family.
In my state, when a child is removed by social services due to neglect, abuse or abandonment, etc., there are basically three outcomes: reunification with parent(s), permanent guardianship, or termination of parental rights that leads to adoption. There can be exceptions, but usually an adoption ends the parents' rights to have contact with the child and the court relinquishes jurisdiction as soon as the adoption is finalized; however, the court retains jurisdiction when a child is placed in a permanent guardianship with a relative/ foster parent/family friend and the parent(s) can petition to re-open the case to be reunified with the child when the parent(s) has/have successfully modified the behavior that caused the child to come into state care.
My best friend was my Casa worker ive known her for 13 years now
Fun Fact: CASA means "home"/"house" in Portuguese, quite fitting I believe.
My parents do this!!!
i would love to do this... i will look into it.
Wonderful! I checked here and it’s not a thing in my part of canada
I wanted to become a CASA until we can foster but they aren’t a thing here unfortunately (SK Canada)
In some states they are called Guardians ad Litem. Not all are volunteers though because we don’t have enough volunteers for every child in care. I’m on staff and supervise the volunteers, but when I don’t have one for a case (which is about half my caseload-30 kids or so), I’m the only one advocating for them. They also have an attorney on the team.
In Florida they are called Guardian ad Litem. They have both paid GALs and volunteer.
My momma did this and loved it but sadly volunteer roles don’t pay bills, they should be paying people so those kids have a person to advocate for them besides their new foster parents
There are also paid positions.
I know people are saying about pay but, as this is a volunteer role you know there is the right people, doing it for the KIDS! If it was paid you may have people in it for money and would be damaging for a child, I agree they should get something but its hard
Its great cause CASA means house in romanian
This is the only reason why I want to get my license! It means I'd be able to be more helpful
It is a job in some places because that is what my mom does
In my state this is a GIL (Gardian Ad Litem) they do the same thing but I didn't get a very good one
Tambien, casa significa: "House" en ingles
my partners niece was/is in foster care. she's 18 now. but when we had her the CASA quit because his niece was so volitile and disrespectful during a phone call. it's hard when they're so angry and at the point of "im basically an adult i can do whatever i want". 😞 she made us feel like failures. i don't know if we'll ever be able to help another kid out again..
Thank you
In divorce there’s so,etching called a GAL or a guardian at lidome this very similar to what they do there used so that kids don’t have to be in the court room as much me and my brothers have one right now who is a,asking
This is very interesting
What is the best way to get in contact with the casa worker for your child?
It has nothing to do with it and I don't know if it's on purpose but the acronym "CASA" is literally house or home in Spanish.
How does one go about being one?
How do I sign up???
Usually it is by county. Search your county’s CASA on Google. Hopefully you can see how to sign up. My mom does it here in NJ and it is definitely a commitment she couldn’t do when she was working full time, but now she can commit the time it takes.
Do jurisdictions with guardians ad litem do this, too? Or is it one or the other?
Why is it separate from social worker
Social workers are usually overloaded with cases and can't/won't give children the attention they need. These CASAs are supposed to be dedicated to a single child or sibling group.
Social workers or caseworkers usually work on behalf of an entire family unit. Their goal, at least initially, is family reunification and parents may need extensive services such as parenting classes and substance abuse treatment. A CASA’s role is to represent and advocate for the best interests of only the child.
Are there any minimum qualifications for filling this role?
You have to be 22 years old and pass a background check then go through training. In Indiana, it is 36 hours initially then 12 hours every year after that
Is this the same as a Guardian ad litem?
I wish yall realized how many of you are completely and utterly biased. I know youre not awful, as someone who went through the shstem as a child and again with their own children. There are absolutely people working for the State who dont want parents to succeed. Adoption is an industry, it doesn't save most children from anything but their own identity.
Exactly, thank you for telling the truth.
The childs parents should be advocating no one else
What parents?? They don’t have parents. That’s the whole problem. These children are orphans and wards of the court. That’s why they bounced from one foster home to the next. The whole problem is these kids *don’t* have anyone looking out for their interests over the longer term.
Please try to expand your perspective. This is a really tone-deaf comment. I know that sometimes the foster system breaks good families apart, but sometimes some biological parents were abusing their kid. No one, especially kids, deserve to live with someone abusing or neglecting them.
@LunaFlame, Huh? The parents that have been unable to properly care for their children and have their own interests that may conflict with the child's needs is who you believe should be their only advocate?