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The child welfare system is comprised of a group of services designed to promote the well-being of children by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families to care for their children. Unfortunately, because some have suffered abuse and/or neglect, these children are already in a serious plight. Babies’ brains grow and develop as they interact… Read more »

Child Protection Day Rally No Foolin’! April 1st is the day to do something about child abuse and neglect. Join us, and thousands of others, in advocating for the protection and happiness of Texas children at 9am on April 1st at the Texas State Capitol. The aim of the Child Protection Day Rally, sponsored by… Read more »

For teenagers who’ve lived in foster care, the transition to adult life outside of care can be an intimidating experience. These young people may face challenges as they search for affordable housing, pursue higher education or training, look for jobs, manage on tight budgets, take care of their health needs, and even shop for groceries… Read more »

Typically, child welfare systems receive and investigate reports of possible child abuse and neglect. When children are not safe in their home, the system further arranges for them to live in foster homes or with relatives. At the end of a child welfare case, reunification with their family, adoption or permanent placement will be decided… Read more »

Do you know how CASA began?  In 1976, King County Superior Court Judge David W. Soukup of Seattle, Washington had an idea that would change the lives of millions of children and revolutionize the child welfare court cases. Judge Soukup did not believe he was receiving all the facts to decide the futures of these… Read more »

The short narrative film ReMoved has been adopted by many CASA organizations because it paints a portrait of a young girl taken from her home, separated from her little brother and placed in foster care. With each brushstroke, the movie poignantly portrays this little girl’s pain, confusion, anger and the glimmer of hope that keeps… Read more »

In any given state, there are hundreds of young people at risk of leaving foster care without permanent connections to a stable family and community. Nationwide, 23,000 teenagers face this dilemma each year. Children aged 10 and above make up approximately 50% of the children waiting for adoption. Is adoption preferable to permanent connections with,… Read more »

Wouldn’t you love to spend it in a meaningful and important way—and enrich your life at the same time? Valentine’s Day is the celebration of love, and love is often a large part of what being a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is all about. Every day in this country, 1,900 children are the victims… Read more »

What is a CASA? When an abused or neglected child is removed from an unsafe environment and placed in foster care, a judge may appoint an Advocate to represent the best interests of that child or youth—in and out of court. This committed volunteer is a Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA.

In 2013, there were 796 children in foster care in Montgomery County. While each child’s story is unique, there are some identifiers that are common to foster children. Many are shuffled from foster home to foster home, during which time lapses in education often occur due to these frequent moves. Abused and neglected children often… Read more »