| Advocates for Children, Inc. is a non - profit organization which consists of volunteers who advocate for abused or neglected children in our counties. These children are generally placed in foster care by the courts and CASA is assigned to investigate the child's case and report to the court 'what is in the best interest for this child.' It is a very serious and needed work. Judges need to review all the information they can possibly receive to decide the future placement of a child. CASA seeks safe, permanent homes for these children. |
| Last year in the United States, over 500,000 children were in foster care or institutions. Each social worker in Texas carried an average caseload of 50 children. It costs over $16,479 to keep one child in foster care per year. Each child without a CASA spent an average of 24.2 months in multiple placements in the foster care system. A record 227 children died in Texas due to child abuse and neglect last year! This program is currently serving 196 children on 125 cases. CASA volunteers must go through at least 30 hours of intensive training, be certified by a Judge and commit to work at least 10 - 12 hours per month on a child abuse or neglect case for a least one year. A volunteer must be twenty-one years of age, submit to CANRIS and criminal checks, and complete an extensive application which allows the organization to check references. Volunteers should be committed and diligent in their efforts for these at-risk children. Training for volunteers is provided usually quarterly (every 3 months). These classes are taught by many professionals and experts in child abuse and/or neglect, drug and alcohol addiction , the Texas Family Code (law that pertains to families and children), cultural diversity, Child Protective Services (an extension of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services), and CASA standards and methods. Announcements are made about these classes via local newspaper, radio, Internet and television -- keep watch for the next one! There are currently over 30 volunteers in the program; but, we always need more (cases are waiting). The number of volunteers determines the number of children we can serve. There's a child in your county who needs YOU! The CASA office is located a 712 W. Park, in Orange, Texas. Our satellite office in Jasper is at 908 N. Wheeler St., Jasper, Texas. The director is Jane Stevenson. She would welcome a visit from you and wold like to share the mission of the agency with you. The phone number there is 1-409-781-3724. The program is always seeking volunteers. The child abuse hot-line is 1-800-252-5400. Report child abuse or neglect: it's the law. It's up to you and me to protect the FUTURE: our children. Look for our program updates on our website: www.advocates-4-children-inc.org or e-mail us at casaocj@sbcglobal.net . |
Advocates for Children, Inc.
| "A Powerful Voice in Court for Abused Children!" |
About CASA
| "Never doubt that a small group of committed, thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." By Margaret Mead |
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