June 9, 2021
Elizabeth Vingo became a CASA in 2020, and her first case involved a sibling group removed from their mother due to neglect. There were various CPS cases over the course of the past 6 years in multiple states, history of substance abuse, developmental delays in the children with their medical and emotional needs not being met.
The children’s mother did not have a healthy support system. She was raising her children without their fathers and living with her parents who were consumed with their own challenges. She wanted what was best for her children, but didn’t know how to get to a better place.
The foster parents expressed to Elizabeth that once the children were placed in their home, they had intentions to adopt them. However once they saw the interactions between the mother with the children and spoke with her, they wanted to help her get them back.
With the encouragement of Elizabeth and the foster mom, the children’s mother knew she had a team to encourage her and support her as needed. The children’s mother fought hard to become sober, and since July 2020 her drug test have been negative for all substances. She obtained housing on her own and furnishings through Careportal, an online platform where child welfare agencies identify needs that churches and the community fulfill through donations.
Elizabeth helped to get supervised visits arranged over the holidays for the children and their mother. Soon after overnight visits were arranged. The children are currently living with their mother on a return and monitor, with case looking to close in a few weeks.
Elizabeth and the foster mother were a bridge of support for the children’s mother. They gave her space to share her story and determine her needs to begin the path of sobriety and provide a safe home for her children. The mother told Elizabeth she was proud of herself. She said,” I use to be known as the drug addict and now I walk down the street and am proud of what I have become.”
To learn how you can make a difference as a CASA volunteer for Coastal Bend youth in foster care, attend an upcoming 45 minute Virtual CASA Info Session held every Wednesday at 12pm via Zoom: https://bit.ly/2JAld0E
