Photo detail
Donate Report a Typo Contact

Stories this photo appears in:

Tease photo

A CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer is needed for 4-year-old "Wanda." Child Protective Services (CPS) removed Wanda from her home due to the parents' history of domestic violence and their inability to provide for her, including living in a "drug house" that was filthy. In addition, Wanda's mother has a behavioral health problem that has not been medically stabilized. Wanda has also been mimicking her father's aggressive actions.Among the CASA volunteer's responsibilities: monitoring Wanda's ongoing progress in her foster home; working with her therapist, to keep abreast of issues she may be facing, including her aggressiveness; assisting CPS in working with the parents, to determine whether they would be willing and able to participate in treatment programs, such as anger management, parenting and, in the mother's case, mental health issues, that would permit them to resume responsibility for Wanda; working with CPS to determine whether other relatives might be able to be of support to the parents and/or serve as guardians for the girl; attending monthly meetings with Wanda and other team members involved in the case; and making recommendations to the judge as to the best long-term placement for this girl. CASA volunteers need to provide information to the court at report and review hearings throughout the life of a case.

December 5, 2010