June is National Reunification Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of keeping families involved in the child welfare system together and recognizing how the community can better support these families.

When a family becomes involved with the child welfare system, the first priority of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and CASA in the Heart of Texas is to help reunite children with their parents whenever safe and possible – and during this month and beyond, CASA Advocates strive to engage and connect with the families so that they have the support and resources needed to have their children safely come back home.

“Some people believe that once children are removed from home and placed into foster care, no further help for them is needed,” said Michelle Wells, Executive Director of CASA in the Heart of Texas. “The reality, though, is that foster care is not meant to be a permanent situation, and most kids in foster care experience a sense of grief and loss after being removed from their home, regardless of what their situation was like.”

CASA in the Heart of Texas recruits and trains Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA Advocates, to stay by a child’s side throughout their time in foster care, advocating first for reunification with parents or family. These Advocates get to know the children, parents and family as well as others involved in their lives—including foster parents, therapists, teachers and attorneys—collaborating with everyone involved for the best interest of the child or children.

“We know that the vast majority of parents love their children and want what’s best for them, and the parents of the children we serve are no exception,” said Wells. “We want to support parents during this time to see that they have the tools and resources needed so that their children can live with them safely, because going back home is the best possible outcome for these kids.”

CASA Advocates help to make sure the children and parents they serve have a support system of family and other caring adults, who are able to help in whatever ways needed and stay involved long after CASA and DFPS involvement ends.

“If parents and children have a good support system, it’s much more likely that a plan for reunification will be successful and sustainable,” Wells said. “That’s what we want for the children we serve – for them to be able to grow up safe, happy and supported, surrounded by people who love them.”

“Many times, our Advocates are able to develop a rapport and a connection with the parents on their cases, which enables them to truly encourage these parents to engage in their services and in making the changes necessary to have their children returned to them,” stated Joanne McCraw, Recruiter/Trainer for the program.

By becoming a CASA Advocate, you can help more children and families in your community stay safely and happily connected. Learn more at www.CASABrownwood.org, call 325-643-2557, or email [email protected]. The next CASA 101: Information Session in Brownwood is July 6, 2021.