Advocating for youth in foster care; how you can make a difference
Danyelle Burke North
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – Court Appointed Special Advocates, or “CASA,” advocates for abused and neglected children in the foster care system.
“As an advocate, you get to know the child. You meet them a minimum of once a month. You attend events with them that they’re involved in, extracurricular activities,” said Yuma CASA coordinator Veronica Davis. “Then you report to the judge every 3 to 6 months on what’s in the child’s best interest and what they need to thrive while they’re in the foster care system.”
Davis says every county in Arizona has an active CASA program.
There was nationwide reaction after the Trump administration cut funding for CASA services. However, Davis says they are not impacted here locally and are still able to serve youth.
“Government cuts have not impacted the local programs here in Arizona. So, CASA of Yuma County is part of CASA of Arizona, and we are all under the national CASA G.A.L umbrella. However, our funding does not come from the National CASA program. On the national level, they have experienced some cuts, but fortunately those cuts have not trickled down to affect our programs. We still have maintained the funding that’s being provided to us,” shared Davis.
With the growing number of children in the foster system, there is a growing demand for more CASA volunteers. They say you can apply online to become a volunteer and help make a difference in the community.”
“You know, you get joy from it,” said CASA volunteer Bernadette Presloid. “You see the children have joy, so it’s a good thing, so please volunteer.”