What It Really Means To Change a Child’s Story
In the CASA realm, the mantra "Change a child's story" frequently appears. But, what does this powerful phrase truly signify? Throughout this article, we will journey through child welfare history and unravel the compelling truths behind the slogan that guides our work today.
A Unanimous Concern
1909 ushered in a new era for child welfare as the inaugural White House conference on children emerged from a growing societal concern for the well-being of children. In response to the distressing conditions in almshouses and orphanages, conference attendees unanimously agreed that poverty alone should not warrant the removal of children from their families. The conference would produce significant recommendations. Among them, the establishment of a national foster care program, the expansion of adoption agencies, and the introduction of mothers' pensions to support economically challenged families and maintain their unity. This transformation involved meticulous record-keeping, consideration of children's individual needs in placement decisions, and increased federal support for state inspections of family foster homes. The focus expanded beyond mere placement to encompass services for families, aiming to facilitate the child's return home (reunification). Foster parents were now recognized as integral members of a professional team actively collaborating to secure permanency for dependent children. [1]
Throughout the early to mid-1900s, as federal funds were increasingly allocated for child welfare services, overarching goals emerged: to curtail extended stays in foster care, secure permanent family placements within the child's familial resources, and enhance support systems for successful family reunification.
But if we fast forward to today, we confront the stark reality that the child welfare system disproportionately affects Black and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children, leading to disparate outcomes. Inequitable decision-making permeates nearly every stage of the child welfare continuum, with African American families facing a higher likelihood of investigation by child protective services compared to others. Moreover, the overrepresentation of Black, Hispanic, and AI/AN families experiencing poverty amplifies their vulnerability to being reported to child protective services, underscoring the urgent need to continue addressing systemic disparities. [2]
It is safe to say that over the years we have witnessed a system that has undergone a complex historical evolution, moving through a journey marred by a tapestry of injustices. The current landscape of foster care is influenced by a combination of societal, legal, and systemic factors, contributing to a narrative marked by challenges and ever-changing dynamics, particularly concerning issues of equity. Understanding this intricate history is crucial for addressing complexities and working towards a more equitable and compassionate foster care system. Most importantly, we must consider who is affected by the system and how the trauma of separation and state care affects these children.
Among the many transformations within the foster care system, a new kind of advocacy emerged in 1976 when 50 CASA/GAL volunteers started a journey that has grown to become a national movement serving 242,000 youth in need annually. Their work not only stands as a testament to the ongoing transformation within the system but also sparks a reimagining of the diverse forms of advocacy that shape its trajectory.
What Does a Child NEED?
Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships are essential to prevent early adversity, including child abuse and neglect, and to assure that all children reach their full potential [3].
Children inherently depend on the adults in their lives to provide the stability and care that their brains and bodies require to thrive. However, what if a child cannot trust the adults around to advocate for them, love them, listen to them, and meet their basic needs? Removal from the home can occur when there are concerns about safety or the current instability of a child's living conditions, leading to their placement under court protection. Recent reports from 2021 shed light on a staggering reality - that approximately 606,031 children passed through the US foster care system within a single year. Of those 606,031, the median age was 7 years old, and 63% of children were removed from their home due to neglect [4].
These numbers compel us to contemplate the lives of these children during the most formative years of their development, raising questions about the resources that may be denied to them during this time, the hands they cannot hold, and the transformation of what should be a care-free period of exploration and growth into one stifled by worry and despair.
How Does CASA Step In?
Entering a courtroom can be an overwhelming experience for a child, who may experience a sense of being 'in trouble' when their circumstances are not their fault. The solemn tones reverberating throughout the room leave an atmosphere reminiscent of being in the world’s largest principal's office. Clearly, courts are not designed with children in mind.
Yet, in just one year, 606,031 children have had to navigate court systems across the country. That’s about half the population of Hawaii.
Judge David Soukup recognized the inherent challenges of the courtroom for children, as well as the challenges he as a Judge faced in reaching decisions that could serve the needs of vulnerable children in these exceedingly sensitive cases. This led him to the conception of CASA/GAL (Court Appointed Special Advocates/Guardians ad Litem) volunteers. Their official role is to provide an additional perspective or ‘set of eyes’ on the case to ensure the decisions made throughout the life of a child’s case are in the best interest of the child. However, these volunteers do much more.
The role of CASA volunteers extends far beyond a mere courtroom presence; they bring a touch of humanity to the youth they serve, establishing a connection that goes far beyond volunteering their time.
Imagine a child, facing the daunting prospect of legal proceedings, is assigned their first ever CASA volunteer. With time and patience, the volunteer becomes a trustworthy figure, a presence that shows up to advocate for that child’s best interests. They might provide a perspective that hasn’t been offered up in court, suggest a resource to be considered for that child in school, or engage in activities that reminds the youth of their love for art. Suddenly, they're not just another face in the crowd of adults in a cold courthouse. For many children, this marks the beginning of a relationship that they’ll carry with them for a lifetime. CASA volunteers are not just volunteers; they are oftentimes storytellers of the resilience displayed by their youth and companions in the tumultuous journey of a child and family in need.
“In addition to spending time with your child or youth, some of your work will be centered around your court dates. Usually, the court needs the court report about 10 days before the actual court date. This gives the judge time to review. So, you have to be aware of when you go to court each time. For me, I usually start my investigation process a few weeks before the court report is due. I need to speak to everyone involved in the case. The doctors, teachers, counselors, specialists, dentists, daycare providers--everyone. When I am first assigned a case, I contact all these professionals. I fax/email them the court order and my information and ask them to store this with the child's file since I will be phoning periodically requesting updates about this child's file. I look at it as my opportunity to speak directly to the judge about not only my concerns, but the concerns of the other health care professionals involved with the child. I get to update the court on what is working in this case and give suggestions as to how we can make things work more effectively for the child and family.”
— Shawntel Robins, CASA volunteer of 10+ years
So, what does it really mean to change a child’s story? Here’s what we know [5]:
CASA volunteers are highly effective in getting their recommendations accepted in court.
In four out of five cases, all or almost all CASA volunteer recommendations are accepted - leading children and youth closer to a safe and permanent home.
With a CASA volunteer, children are less likely to reenter the child welfare system, as compared with children not provided with a CASA advocate. The proportion of reentries is consistently reduced by half.
When a CASA volunteer is assigned to a case, a higher number of services are ordered for children and families, improving their daily lives.
Children with a CASA volunteer tend to perform better academically and behaviorally in school.
Children with a CASA volunteer report significantly higher levels of hope.
Cases assigned to a CASA volunteer tend to involve the most serious cases of maltreatment; these children are more at risk and need the support that CASA's provide.
A child with a CASA volunteer has significantly fewer placement changes than a child without one, providing a level of consistency necessary for children and youth.
A snapshot of Maryland
Alongside the national average, neglect is the most commonly adjudicated reason that children served by CASA’s enter foster care, accounting for 52% of cases in Fiscal Year 2022.
At the end of Fiscal Year 2022, 4,020 children were in foster care in Maryland, 20% of them falling between the ages of 6-10. [6]
The number of children served by a CASA volunteer in 2022: 1,400
Since its inception, the insights and advocacy offered by CASA volunteers have played a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of youth in need and has impacted the future trajectory for children navigating the foster care system's complexities. CASA volunteers have demonstrated their invaluable contributions to families in need both within and beyond the courtroom and we commend every volunteer, both past and present, for their dedication to the youth they serve.
If you know or are someone who would be interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, contact us at contact@marylandcasa.org, or fill out our Volunteer Inquiry form directly.
References[1] yarrow, A. L. (2009, April). History of U.S. Children’s Policy, 1900-Present. Public Agenda.[2] Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2021). Child welfare practice to address racial disproportionality and disparity. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau.[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Essentials for Childhood: Steps to Create Safe, Stable, Nurturing Relationships and Environments. [4] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau. (2022). Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) Report #29. [5] National CASA. (2020). Our Impact: Research and Effectiveness. [6] Annie E. Casey Foundation, KIDS COUNT Data Center.