Page 10 - Giving Guide_FINAL

10 A TIME FOR GIVING

CASA — Providing help

to children and families.

The Court Appointed Special “It’s a beautiful mix” of preven-
Advocates program is currently tion and intervention in child or
seeking volunteers interested in family welfare. Unfortunately,
helping children transition into lov- sometimes intervention means
ing, permanent homes. children require foster care.
The ultimate goal for the Court That’s where CASA volunteers 30 hours of training through the also seeing higher depravity in new
Appointed Special Advocates pro- come in. CASA program, and will have to cases.
gram is to provide help to children pass a background check. They will “There’s fewer kids coming in,
and families, and to let people ‘We always need provide home visits to check on but the reasons [why] have in-
know it’s OK, and sometimes nec- new guardians, children in foster care or struggling creased [in severity], and that’s just
essary, to ask for help. homes, being “the eyes and ears” harder for our volunteers,” Ander-
The Court Appointed Special volunteers for family to advocate for the child’s needs son said. “It’s one thing to train on
Advocates program is within the strengthening’ and well being. physical abuse, it’s another to see
Family Advocates nonprofit, a Family Strengthening volunteers Ada and Elmore counties have it.”
42-year-old organization focused participate in six hours of training the most need. Part of that could be from the
on helping families which may be provided by the Family Advocates As the effects of COVID-19 con- stress of staying home, or losing a
lacking stability in the home. The program, and must pass a back- tinue, the Court Appointed Spe- job.
intent is to prevent fallout from ground check, “because they are cial Advocates program is down “Some of our families are just
that instability by strengthening working with vulnerable children.” volunteers, as many are retired, getting hit so hard from every
the family, Darci Anderson de- Last year, Family Advocates provid- older residents who are considered direction,” Anderson said. “I think
scribes, sometimes through home ed support through family building at higher risk of contracting the we as a community need to be
visits and connecting families with education to 113 families in Boise, coronavirus. Volunteer training heightened in reporting things or
other resources they may need. Caldwell and Mountain Home. has shifted to online, and many reaching out [to these families].”
The Court Appointed Special “[Family Advocates is] looking for services have also shifted to being CASA has an “intake line” for
Advocates program, commonly everyday citizens who just want to done virtually. concerned residents to call if they
called CASA, was one of the work very hands-on with families “Even during COVID our guard- suspect a child needs help. Calling
first programs Family Advocates and children,” Anderson said. ians were out visiting children,” the intake line means someone, di-
brought on, providing an interven- Guardians are also everyday Anderson said. “They’re still putting rected by the Idaho Department of
tion arm to the prevention arm, citizens who want to help children. eyes on kids. There weren’t any Health and Welfare, goes to check
as Anderson, 4th Judicial District Anyone can apply. They will take huge hurdles.” on the child and the situation.
CASA program director, describes. However, CASA members are Sometimes, neglect or abuse

With your support, we can train and support brave
volunteers, keep kids safe and help strengthen families.

YOUR DONATION OF: $20.00 – Provides diapers $40.00 – Provides diapers, $60.00 – Covers the cost of $80.00 – Provides gas $200.00 – Pays for virtual
for one week to a family wipes, shampoo and lotion a backpack for a foster child to transport resources to volunteer training in one
for two weeks to a family with something they need, multiple families’ doorsteps of our rural counties, which
something they want, and in rural locations twice a results in more children
TO DONATE GO TO: familyadvocates.org something to read month served