Casa for Lancaster County

CASA for Lancaster County is participating in Give to Lincoln Day through a different site no May 18, 2017. Please go to www.givetolincoln.com and search for CASA to participate this year.  Thanks!

CASA for Lancaster County recruits, trains and supports community volunteers who advocate on behalf of abused, neglected, truant and ungovernable children in juvenile court. CASA volunteer advocates do their own investigation, get to know the children and write reports that go directly to the judge about what they see and what they recommend in the children's best interests. Children caught up in abuse and neglect need to have a stable adult in their life. CASA volunteers get to know the child and the family's situation so that they can recommend additional services or resources that can address the problems that brought the family into the system. The goal of a CASA volunteer is to get the child into a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible. 

Devyn White came into the foster care/juvenile justice system, for the second time, when he was 6 years old. His mother was found to be highly intoxicated and unable to care for her son. Devyn had done a good job of taking care of himself, fixing himself meals and getting himself to school for several days. However, when there was no more food, he went to a neighbor’s house for help. The neighbor then came to the White’s apartment and found Devyn’s mother passed out; law enforcement was called. 

Child Protective Services had prior contact with this family and Devyn had been removed from his mother’s care two years earlier due to his mother’s extreme intoxication and suicidal thoughts. Devyn’s mother, Susan, began Intensive Out Patient Treatment for her alcohol addiction but failed to attend treatment and continued to use alcohol. Susan also was very inconsistent with visiting Devyn which was upsetting to him.

A CASA volunteer was assigned to Devyn. The CASA volunteer visited with Devyn at school and at his foster home. He also observed visitation between Devyn and Susan. When Susan failed to show for a visit on Mother’s Day, Devyn requested not to see his mother again because it hurt too much when she didn’t show up. The CASA volunteer recommended that visits be suspended pending Susan completing treatment for her alcoholism. Susan enrolled in an Inpatient Treatment program and was able to complete the program. However, once she was discharged, she failed to check in with Fresh Start Home. Five days later, she contacted the case worker and was once again intoxicated. Susan’s refusal to follow treatment led to Devyn’s permanency plan being changed to adoption. Luckily, Devyn had been placed in an excellent foster home of a single mother who was interested in providing a permanent, loving home for Devyn.

The CASA volunteer continued to visit Devyn and to get to know the foster mother. He concurred with the recommendation of adoption and Susan relinquished her parental rights. Susan continued to pursue treatment but at the close of the case was still not sober. Devyn was adopted by his foster mother the next year and is still thriving in a stable, safe home. The CASA volunteer was able to provide an independent assessment of the family’s situation while developing a relationship with Devyn. The CASA volunteer was a stable adult presence in Devyn’s life when Devyn’s mother was unable to provide any stability. CASA volunteers make a difference in children’s lives.

CASA for Lancaster County provided advocacy services to 210 abused and neglected children in Lancaster County in 2015.  Won't you please help us serve more children? Donate today.