FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2016
Contact: Gabriel Ballesteros
Phone: (806) 763-2272
E-mail:
CASA in critical need of new volunteers.
Public asked to “Team Up for CASA”
Lubbock, Texas –According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 413 children have entered into the foster care system on the South Plains as of June 7, 2016. While CASA volunteers have been able to serve 318 children, 95 are still in need of an Advocate. A CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate is a volunteer that helps foster children navigate the child welfare system and ensure their needs are being met while working to help find safe, permanent homes. Volunteers can serve on a case alone or they may choose to “Team Up for CASA” by partnering with a spouse, friend, family member, or co-worker. Teams can maximize their time commitment by sharing advocacy responsibilities such as attendance at case meetings, visits to the children, and preparation of court reports while providing multiple role models to the children they serve. Fifteen new teams, or a total of 30 new volunteers, are needed for the September training class. These new volunteers will help make sure that at least thirty additional foster children have someone who can speak up for their well-being while they are in foster care. Community members are encouraged to accept the challenge, “Team Up for CASA,” and become volunteer Advocates.
Prospective volunteers are urged to attend the upcoming CASA 101 informational session
hosted by CASA of the South Plains on Thursday, September 1st from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the CASA office at #24 Briercroft Office Park. This is a great, no-obligation introduction to CASA and its mission. CASA staff and current Advocates will be on hand to discuss the increasing need for volunteers, what it means to be a CASA, and how community members can help make a difference in the lives of area foster children.
“Teaming up for CASA is a great way to reduce your nervousness about jumping in to something completely out of your comfort zone. Having a partner to share the burdens, celebrate the joys, and brainstorm solutions has made CASA even more enjoyable for me. The case benefits because there are an additional set of eyes, brains, and hearts involved,” said Sarah Rothwell, volunteer Advocate.
“We have been able to split up the tasks and talk the case over before making decisions. We bring different strengths to the case. We have polar opposite personalities and that's really opened up our options as far as interacting with our kiddos,” said Heather Rothwell, volunteer Advocate.
To attend, please register at www.casaofthesouthplains.org or contact Amanda Norfleet, Recruitment Director, by Wednesday, August 31st at (806) 763-2272 or via email at . Lunch will be provided to attendees.
About CASA of the South Plains
CASA of the South Plains empowers community members to serve as volunteer Advocates
that speak for the well-being of abused and neglected children in the foster care system.
Court appointed special advocates are community members just like you who ensure each foster child’s needs remain a priority in an over-burdened child welfare system while working to find safe, permanent homes for these most vulnerable children.
CASA’s Impact
1. Children with a CASA Advocate spend 5 months less in foster care and are half as likely to re-enter foster care.
2. In 2015, CASA of the South Plains provided advocacy services to 485 foster youth.
3. CASA Advocates donated 8,591 hours in 2015, saving county taxpayers more than $343,640 in county paid attorney fees.
How You Can Help
1. Become a CASA Advocate - more than 700 children are without the assistance of an Advocate in the South Plains.
2. Become a CASA donor - it costs CASA $1,500 to recruit and train each Advocate.
3. Host a CASA 101 - CASA will come to your business and educate your staff about its mission and goals.
To learn how to become an Advocate or to donate, please visit www.casaofthesouthplains.org or call (806) 763-2272.
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