Maryland CASA Launches Cultural & Racial Identity Initiative

Maryland CASA, in partnership with the Administrative Office of the Courts, has developed and launched a new initiative to promote the cultural and racial identity of the children CASA serves.CASA volunteers in Maryland – and across the country – generally reflect the diversity of their communities but children in foster care are disproportionately children of color, particularly African American.  While CASA programs do not match volunteers with children based on race but it is an important factor to consider when assigning volunteers based on the needs of the children.  It is, therefore, critical to have a diverse volunteer pool so that staff have volunteers available who are of the same race and/or culture when it is a need.Regardless of whether the CASA volunteer is of the same race and culture as the child, the volunteer must be equipped with the knowledge and skills to build the racial and cultural identity of that child.  The first phase of the initiative involves training CASA program leadership – staff and board members – to develop an understanding of, and appreciation for, the need to build the racial and cultural identity of children.  Program leadership must also have the tools and strategies to recruit and retain a diverse volunteer pool.  Toward that end, Maryland CASA contracted with Chauncey Strong, a child welfare training consultant, who partnered with Brandi Hill, Child Welfare Policy Specialist with the Administrative Office of the Courts, to deliver a full-day training entitled Building a Racially & Culturally Responsive CASA Program. The training has been held in three regions of the state – the Eastern Shore, Western Maryland, and Baltimore region.The next phase of the project will involve providing training for CASA volunteers to give them the tools to build the cultural and racial identity of the children and youth they serve.  Maryland CASA will also be providing technical assistance to affiliated CASA programs to develop and implement plans to recruit and retain a volunteer pool that is more reflective of the children served.Below are some pictures from the training sessions.