AAUW Corpus Christi Branch held a meeting on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at 10:30 am on Zoom. After a welcome by President Shirley Selz, Program Vice President Dr. Mary Sherwood introduced our speaker, Seana Towler, who is a Program Director at CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of the Coastal Bend, which is a program that advocates for the best interest of the children in Nueces and Aransas County foster care who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. Seana mentioned that before becoming the Program Director, she served as a volunteer at CASA for 18 years.
The idea for CASA originated as an inspiration from a Seattle juvenile court judge, David W. Soukup, in 1976. Judge Soukup realized that he had insufficient information to make a life-changing decision for a 3-year-old girl who had suffered from child abuse. So, he decided that these children, who had experienced abuse or neglect, needed trained volunteers to speak up in court on behalf of the children’s best interests. The idea took hold, and CASA programs began forming across the nation.
CASA volunteers have 32 hours of training, with 10 hours that are done face-to-face, which has been accomplished by Zoom during the pandemic. Training includes information on substance abuse, domestic violence, and how the court system works. Volunteers must do courtroom observations, get fingerprinted, have a criminal background check done, and be over 21 years old. The most important criterion is for volunteers to have compassion to help these children. Volunteers are assigned to one case at a time, and the judge listens intently to the CASA volunteer, because that person has observed and interacted with the family and has more knowledge of the children and their circumstances than anyone else in the courtroom.
In 2020, CASA of the Coastal Bend served 471 children. However, there were over 900 children in foster care, so they are always looking for more volunteers. Local outcomes show that about half the children are eventually reunified with their parents. About 30% get placed with a relative, many of whom adopt these children as their own.
For children to be returned to parents, the parents are required to complete an extensive list of training and to make life improvements. They must:
- Take parenting classes
- Take anger management classes
- Get a job
- Secure transportation
- Get substance abuse assessments
- Get substance abuse treatment
- Attend group counseling
- Attend family counseling
Parents are expected to complete the training and make life improvements within one year and to practice what they have learned. Families are monitored for six months after placement.
In addition to becoming a CASA volunteer, there are other ways in which you can support the organization. Monetary donations are accepted, and gift cards to restaurants or pre-purchased tickets to local attractions – such as the Aquarium, the Lexington, the museums, and Harbor Playhouse – are especially welcomed so that volunteers can use them when meeting with their court-appointed children. You can also sponsor children for Christmas presents, back-to-school supplies, Easter baskets, books, and other items. These children move frequently from one home to another, and many do not have suitcases, so duffle bags, tote bags, backpacks, and suitcases are especially helpful for them to carry their belongings.
The state of Texas waives college tuition at Texas public institutions for children who have been in the foster care system, which is a wonderful benefit that these children are encouraged to use; however, they may not have funds for housing and other living expenses, so they are encouraged to remain with their foster homes, if possible, while enrolled in college.
After answering several questions from members, President Shirley Selz thanked Seana for her excellent presentation. Dr. Amy Aldridge-Sanford also praised Seana for her compassion and for working with the whole family unit, and Dr. Mary Sherwood thanked Seana for doing such a great job, even while speaking to us as she was on the road!
– Slides courtesy of CASA of the Coastal Bend
– Story by Dr. Vickie Natale