Piedmont CASA

Together, we can change the story for children in foster care

PIEDMONT CASA IS BUILDING TEAM MADISON

Until now, children in foster care in Madison County had to navigate their way through the system without CASA Volunteers. They did not have an advocate to stand by them for the entire time they were in care. They did not have someone to be their dedicated voice in court. Someone to ensure they received all the medical, therapeutic, and educational support they needed. Now they do because Piedmont CASA is training men and women in Madison to become Court Appointed Special Advocates - known as CASA Volunteers.

In their report for 2022, the Virginia Department of Social Services stated that Madison had an average of 20 children in foster care each month. The average time in care was 29 months, which is well above the state average of 20.25 months. Research shows that children with CASA Volunteers spend less time in care, and receive more of the services and support they need to recover and move ahead. No other organization provides this service, and we do not charge fees.

When we build strong children, we build a strong community.

OUR GOAL IN MADISION COUNTY

Based on the number of children in foster care in Madison, we will need to build a team of approximately 20-25 Volunteers who will be active there at any given time. Our goal is to be fully established in Madison County by 2025, thus ensuring that all children in foster care in Madison have the services and support of CASA Volunteers. We are thrilled to announce that the graduates in our Spring Training Class include four men and women from Madison. 

WHO ARE THE CHILDREN WE SERVE?

The children we serve are assigned to us by the Court and are in foster care due to allegations of abuse and neglect. They range in age from newborn to 18+. More than 88% come from households surviving at or below the federal poverty line. They are Caucasian, African-American, Multiracial, Asian, Native American, and Hispanic. But they all have two things in common: they are part of our community and they need our help.

WHY DO CHILDREN NEED CASA VOLUNTEERS?

Children in foster care often experience the complex trauma caused by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), such trauma is one of the most serious health problems confronting our nation. Without proper intervention, the potential outcomes are dire: improper brain development, impaired learning, and anxiety; a higher risk for heart, lung, and liver diseases as well as obesity, cancer, and high blood pressure. This is a personal tragedy for the young victims, and a hardship for the Madison County community on both economic and social fronts. If we do not address the trauma these youngsters have endured, it will carry over first into their adult life, and then into the lives of their children. Piedmont CASA Volunteers provide the kind of intervention these young victims need. 

CASA VOLUNTEERS GIVE CHILDREN HOPE
Research shows that boys and girls with CASA Volunteers are more hopeful. When kids have hope, outcomes improve. They have more academic success, enhanced well-being, increased self-control, positive social relationships, and optimism -- tools they need to change their story. These are key to enabling these youngsters to become stable, productive adults.  

OUR HISTORY

Since 1995, Piedmont CASA has trained more than 800 men and women who have advocated for over 2,400 children. We serve Charlottesville, Albemarle, Greene, Louisa, Fluvanna, and now Madison. In order to ensure the highest level of advocacy for our children, as well as support for their families, Piedmont CASA works closely with other service providers and stakeholders.

Last year, 87 CASA Volunteers invested 8,500 hours in advocacy for their kids. This time investment is valued at over three-quarters of a million dollars by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. (8500 hours x $32.50 per hour = $276,250).

When we build strong children, we build a strong community.