July 26, 2022
CASA Volunteer Laura completed training to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate in 2021 and soon after was appointed to her first case This Mission Moment is her experience on that case.
“My CASA child ran away from home at the age of 13 from her grandmother, her primary caregiver. When she was picked up by law enforcement and returned home, her grandmother refused to accept her. From that day in 2020, my CASA child has been in the care of Child Protective Services. CASA was assigned to her case in 2021.
I made a special in-person visit with my CASA child shortly after receiving her case. From the first day I met her, she lovingly spoke of one aunt whom she had a special connection with. I optimistically made note of this special aunt as a possible placement for her. We attempted to contact the aunt but other family members were not forthcoming of information. Unfortunately, upon further review with the caseworker, this aunt had an incident in her past that would not allow for her to be considered as a placement option.
In 2022, my CASA child attended a family member’s funeral. There she engaged and reconnected with family she had not seen since her CPS placement, almost 2-years ago. This is where we learned some family members were not aware she was in CPS care. She affectionately reconnected with her aunt. Her aunt reached out to the caseworker and expressed her strong desire to have my CASA child placed in her home. The caseworker informed me of the aunt’s request. I understood this was not an obvious placement choice and would require special consideration due to the aunt’s personal history.
The CPS caseworker and I visited with the aunt in her home and had a candid conversation about placement. During the visit, the genuine interest and care expressed by the aunt to have her niece live with her was apparent. I had a strong belief that this aunt would love and protect my CASA Child as she always wanted. The challenge was/is, CPS could not recommend placement in this home due to CPS policy.
In court, I advocated for my CASA child to be placed with her aunt. The judge considered this and requested trial visits to take place, between the aunt and my CASA child. In the near future, this case will be reviewed, and the outcome of these visits will be discussed. If they were successful and both the aunt and child want to pursue this placement, it could quite possibly mean a happy new beginning for my CASA child. She will have a forever home with family that loves her and will protect her from her past traumas.”
– Laura, CASA of the Coastal Bend Advocate
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