The advocacy and support CASA volunteers provide is vital to promoting the health and well-being of children and youth in foster care. Navigating healthcare needs and resources can be difficult. Our CASA volunteers advocate for the best possible healthcare for the children they serve. Help us support the medical and mental healthcare needs of those experiencing foster care.

May is National Foster Care Month and also Mental Health Awareness Month. Did you know that children and youth in foster care often have a higher level of specialized medical and mental health needs? Nationally, up to 80 percent of children and adolescents enter the foster care system with significant mental health needs. Nearly 60 percent of children in foster care who are younger than five years old have developmental health issues. Addressing the medical and mental health needs of children and youth experiencing foster care requires an approach that focuses on their well-being within the context of home, family, school, work, and community. Through effective health advocacy, the children served by CASA of Tarrant County can receive the care they need and deserve.

CASA volunteers 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 volunteers advocate first and foremost for these children to be reunified with their parents whenever safe and possible. In fact, a core part of their 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, they advocate for the child to live with another relative or family friend. They can also advocate for the child to be placed in a loving adoptive home. In all cases, CASA volunteers are steadfast, consistent presences for the children they serve, making sure they are safe and have the resources and connections they need to grow and thrive.

This National Foster Care Month, support the work of CASA of Tarrant County! Click here.