CASA FOR CHILDREN AND THE AMERICAN LEGION BUILDING

CASA FOR CHILDREN AND THE AMERICAN LEGION: BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE

A HIDDEN HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS • Too many months in foster care • Too many moves • Too much medication • Too few connections • Too little education • Too much risk of criminal involvement

BUT THERE IS HOPE… “The American Legion and CASA volunteers are living examples of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. ” -Frank D. West, Grant Co. , Indiana CASA/GAL Volunteer and Legionnaire

CASA for Children is central to fulfilling society’s most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified, compassionate adult will fight for a child’s right to be safe, treated with dignity, and thrive in the security of a loving family.

WHAT IS A CASA VOLUNTEER? • People from all walks of life, all ages, all ethnicities • Specially trained and assigned by a judge to advocate for a child • Investigate what led to the child’s removal and assess the family • Understand the child’s needs and make sure they are met • Request services/assessments that otherwise might not be given • Study options for long-term care—from family members to adoption • Make a formal report/recommendation to a judge • Close the case when each child is in a safe, loving

THE RESULTS ARE UNPRECEDENTED • 77, 000 CASA Volunteers • 1 reliable adult in a child’s life • Rank CASA above lawyers on 9 key advocacy criteria • 7. 5 months off the time a child is in foster care • Score higher on 9 safety and success factors

SO ARE THE OBSTACLES • 65% of the children still need a CASA volunteer • We have an obligation to serve 100% of the children in the system • By 2020 we intend to meet that obligation

WE ARE CLOSE TO SOLVING THIS PROBLEM! CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE In the past decade several public, private and philanthropic organizations have made headway in reducing the number of childre in foster care. Our obligation is to close this gap as soon as possible 430, 00 0 childr en All Children are Served At the same time, CASA for Children has been increasing the number of children we can serve. YEAR

THE AMERICAN LEGION STANDS FOR A STRONG AMERICA

SHARED VALUES • Children are our most precious natural resource • We understand the role of the advocate • We speak up for children’s interests and voice their concerns • We believe every child has the right to be treated with dignity, to be safe, and to thrive in the safe embrace of a loving family

FIGHTING FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR YOUTH National CASA is proud to partner with The American Legion, and are honored to have them join us in our I am for the child™ movement – ensuring a safe, permanent home for ever child. Together, we can build a critical mass of support and change the lives of abused and neglected children.

THANK YOU Iam. For. The. Child. org