Each May, National Foster Care Month, we take the time to raise awareness of the children and families involved in the foster care system and the need for more people to step up to support them.

Last year there were 47,913 children in in the Texas foster care system, 344 of whom were right here in CASA in the Heart of Texas’ service area – Brown, Comanche, and Mills counties. These children need support from their communities.

Children go into the foster care system when their family is in crisis. There is a common misconception that once these children are in foster care they’re safe and no further help for them is needed. This could not be further from the truth,” said Michelle Wells, Executive Director of CASA in the Heart of Texas. “Foster care is important for protecting children temporarily. It is not, however, meant to be a permanent solution.”

“We’re grateful to the many wonderful foster families who open their homes to children in our community, and more are needed. What some people don’t understand; however, is that too often, these children have been taken away from everything and everyone they know,” Wells said. “Research shows that kids do better when they can stay connected with their family and community, and kids in foster care are no exception.”

This is where Court Appointed Special Advocates from CASA in the Heart of Texas come into play.

CASA Advocates are specially trained and appointed by judges to advocate for a child or sibling group while they are in the foster care system. They advocate for the child in court, school, and other settings and get to know everyone involved in the child’s life, including their parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors, family members, and others.

CASA in the Heart of Texas advocates first and foremost for these children to be reunified with their parents whenever safe and possible. In fact, a core part of an Advocate’s role is to help create and strengthen a lifetime network of relatives, family friends, and other committed adults who can support the child and their parents during their involvement with foster care and beyond – increasing the likelihood for reunification.

When reunification is not an option, CASA advocates for the child to live with another relative or family friend or in a loving, non-relative adoptive home. In all cases, Advocates provide a steadfast, consistent presence for the children they serve, making sure they are safe and have the resources and connections they need to grow and thrive.

CASA in the Heart of Texas is seeking more community members to become CASA Advocates and support these children and their families.

“Children in foster care need a dedicated advocate,” Wells said. “They need someone on their side who can help them feel safe and connected. We hope you’ll consider joining the CASA movement.”

CASA 101: Information Sessions are routinely held on the first Tuesday in Brownwood and quarterly (or as needed) in Comanche and Mills counties. Information sessions can be requested by churches, groups, and organizations.

For more on information sessions, becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate with CASA in the Heart of Texas and other ways you can get involved, visit CASABrownwood.org, call 325-643-2557, or email [email protected].