There are times when it is evident that parents involved with the child welfare system are struggling with their own trauma, abuse, or have no network of support around them, whether that’s family, healthy friendships, or something else. That’s when a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer can provide vital help as a role model adult, assisting with accessing resources, setting up a safe living situation, and creating a support system for the child and family.
This is the role CASA Andy has taken on for *Sean and his family since 2022. Sean is an 8-year-old boy who has difficulties conversing and is extremely shy. He entered the foster care system after an incident of domestic violence that occurred in the presence of Sean and his younger sister. At the time, Sean’s father was no longer able to care for him and his sister due to his mental health, and Sean’s mother was unable to provide a stable home for them. As a result, Sean and his sister were removed from their care.
After two years in the child welfare system earlier this year, Sean started a 60-day trial visit at his mother’s home. Sean’s mother now had a better support system and took all the steps to ensure she could meet her children’s needs and keep them safe under her care. After some time during the trial visit, CASA Andy received a call from Sean’s mother, who shared that she was facing some complicated challenges and questioned whether she could continue to support her children in the foreseeable future. CASA Andy quickly got everyone involved in the case to help the mother and Sean during this tumultuous time. They were all able to get together for a child and family team meeting and start arranging additional services. Because of the consistent presence of CASA Andy in Sean’s and his mother’s lives, he gained her trust and maintained a close connection with his mother as he collaborated with her to receive all the support she needed to ensure Sean’s well-being.
Shortly after this, CASA Andy scheduled a visit to see how Sean was doing after so much uncertainty. When CASA Andy saw Sean, he could tell he was having a rough day. CASA Andy sat by his bedside, letting him know he was there for him. Slowly but surely, CASA Andy got Sean to focus on something that made him happy, and so they talked about how much he liked his new school and teacher. CASA Andy also checked in with his mother and learned that she was struggling with transportation due to an issue with her car. CASA Andy looked into it and discovered the car could be fixed by replacing a part that only cost five dollars. Knowing this, CASA Andy took the time to pick up the car part, bring it to their home, and take a weight off the mom’s shoulders as she was overwhelmed with the day-to-day tasks that required her to have a working car.
Every CASA, family, and child is unique. There is no one way to be a CASA or make a difference in the life of a child in foster care. For CASA Andy, it has involved providing support for Sean’s mom, letting Sean express himself to CASA Andy on his terms, and taking action to solve problems that create barriers for Sean to thrive. CASA Andy has built a strong relationship with everyone involved in Sean’s life, especially his mother. He is a reliable advocate for Sean and respects everyone he cooperates with. As a CASA, he is the glue that keeps everyone connected and on the same page, giving Sean the best chance of successfully achieving stability.
Name: Andy G.
County: San Diego
Occupation: Real Estate Investor
Became a CASA in: 2022
Favorite thing about being a CASA: “The immediate positive impact my efforts have had on my case child’s life.”
You, too, can make a difference in the lives of youth in foster care. Learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer. *Names and identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.
Riverside County CASA of the Month – March 2024