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 »

Infants and toddlers who are removed from their home and placed in foster care need special consideration and guidance through the grieving process, in their relationships, and through transitions from one caregiver to another. Because they may be non-verbal or lack the developmental ability and maturity to understand what is happening to them, let alone… Read more »

For many parents whose children have been removed from the home, Child Protective Services (CPS) may seem like the “villain” who stole their children, rather than as a resource to help stabilize and preserve their family and to protect children from abuse and neglect. For case workers, attorneys, and judges, it’s often hard to see… Read more »