CASA OF JOHNSON & WYANDOTTE COUNTIES INC

THE CHILD ADVOCACY PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN INVOLVED IN THE COURT SYSTEM DUE TO EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL ABUSE, OR NEGLECT. A TRAINED CASA VOLUNTEER IS ASSIGNED TO WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE CHILD AND TO GATHER OBJECTIVE INFORMATION FROM ALL PARTIES SUCH AS PARENTS, SOCIAL WORKERS, TEACHERS, DOCTORS, THERAPISTS AND FOSTER PARENTS. PRIOR TO COURT HEARINGS, THE CASA VOLUNTEER MEETS WITH THE NUMEROUS PROFESSIONALS AND CAREGIVERS INVOLVED AND MAKES A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE COURT REGARDING ACTIONS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD. THE CASA VOLUNTEER REMAINS ASSIGNED UNTIL A PERMANENT RESOLUTION AND PLACEMENT OF THE CHILD IS ACHIEVED. DURING 2023, CASA SERVED 355 CHILDREN IN COURT PROCEEDINGS AND 210 FAMILIES WERE PROVIDED ADVOCACY SUPPORT. CASA MOBILIZED 211 VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE 17,205 HOURS OF SUPPORT SERVICES. OLDER YOUTH ARE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS LIKELY TO FIND A PERMANENT HOME THROUGH ADOPTION OR LEGAL GUARDIANSHIP. AS A RESULT, YOUTHS OFTEN "AGE OUT" OF FOSTER CARE WITHOUT TOOLS, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TO BE SELF-SUFFICIENT. THE TEEN ADVOCACY PROGRAM PAIRS TEENS WITH SPECIALLY-TRAINED CASA VOLUNTEERS TO HELP GUIDE AND SUPPORT THEM DURING THEIR CRITICAL TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE. CASA VOLUNTEERS WITHIN THE PROGRAM HAVE COMPLETED FOSTERING FUTURES, A CURRICULUM DESIGNED TO ENGAGE OLDER YOUTH IN ACTIVELY PLANNING THEIR TRANSITION TO INDEPENDENCE. ABOVE THE ADVOCATE ROLE, THE PRESENCE OF THESE SPECIALLY-TRAINED CASAS TO GUIDE TEENS IN EXAMINING THEIR FUTURES CAN HAVE PROFOUND IMPACTS ON THEIR EDUCATIONAL, EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL OUTCOMES. THE DIVORCE/CUSTODY PROGRAM SERVES CHILDREN WHOSE FAMILIES ARE INVOLVED IN COURT DUE TO DISPUTES OVER CHILD CUSTODY AND VISITATION. A TRAINED CASA VOLUNTEER IS ASSIGNED TO WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE CHILD AND TO GATHER OBJECTIVE INFORMATION FROM ALL PARTIES. THE CASA VOLUNTEER ALSO HELPS CREATE A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THE FAMILY BY MAKING THEM AWARE OF EXISTING COMMUNITY RESOURCES. THE VOLUNTEER HELPS FOCUS ATTENTION ON THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD, MONITORS COURT ORDERS, AND REPORTS FINDINGS AND CONCERNS IN A WRITTEN REPORT TO THE COURT.