What is Voices For Children, Inc. ?

Voices For Children, Inc. is a nonprofit organization currently serving Brazos and Grimes Counties.  Our organization trains volunteers from the community to be a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for one child or sibling set who has been placed in the state's custody because of abuse or neglect.  Our volunteers follow their child or children through the child welfare court system, often lasting 12-18 months, and advocate for them every step of the way, providing continuity and the time invested to ensure that their child doesn't fall through the cracks. 

What does a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) do?

Once appointed by a county judge, our CASA volunteers begin a process of fact finding with the goal of guiding abused children out of the foster care system, identifying the child’s needs, and ensuring they receive all services entitled services.  CASAs act as a communications link between the child and the court. They gather all the pertinent information about their child’s case and make recommendations to the judge based on that information as to what is in the best interest of the child.

Each month, our CASA volunteers meet with their child or children in their foster home, the biological parents, speak with teachers, therapists, caseworkers, and foster parents, all to get a sense of how the child is progressing.  The CASA volunteer also reviews all records pertaining to the child - school, medical, psychiatric and caseworker reports. An order from the court appointing a CASA gives the volunteer permission to access these records.

Volunteers work closely with a staff person who helps to guide their casework and supports their advocacy efforts. Our staff members have expertise in working on behalf of abused children and are there to coach the volunteer through casework, court, working with the child and families and all other aspects of their volunteer role. The volunteer/staff  team approaches the child’s case jointly, ensuring the best services are delivered to the child.

How much time does it take to be a CASA volunteer?

In the same amount of time you spend each week doing something ordinary, you can do something extraordinary—change the life of an abused child. Our CASA volunteers on average spend about 15 hours each month (average of 3 or 4 hours a week) on their case.   More than 60% of our volunteers work full-time.

What type of person makes a good CASA volunteer?

Volunteers come from all careers, cultures, educational backgrounds, ages, and experiences - that’s what makes this program work. The primary requirements for being a CASA volunteer are that you have a genuine interest in the well being of children, are a proactive communicator, are at least 24 years of age, and complete our training program.  CASA volunteers are objective, self- motivate, responsible, committed, persistent and understand the important role they have in a child’s life.

How does a CASA volunteer differ from a caseworker or an attorney?

Due to the large caseloads of Child Protective Services, workers are frequently unable to conduct a comprehensive investigation of each case. In the same way, attorneys have a number of attorney appointments, often in addition to their own private practice. 

The CASA is a volunteer with more time and handles one case at a time.   CASA can provide crucial background information that assists all parties in moving the case toward permanency.  The CASA volunteer does not replace a social worker and does not provide legal representation in the courtroom:  he or she is an independent appointee of the court.  CASA volunteers are also not bound to represent a child's wishes in court. Rather, they speak to the child's best interests.

How long does a CASA volunteer remain involved with a case?

The volunteer continues with the case until there is some type of resolution. The goal is that the child should have a safe and permanent home.  Typically, this occurs within the 12-month time frame as directed by federal and state laws, with a possibility of one 6-month extension.  There are cases, however, where children are permanently in the state's custody until they are 18 years old.  These children need someone to be with them through the long ride, too. 

How many volunteers are working with Voices For Children, Inc.?

Last year, we had over 50 volunteers donate over 4,800 hours of service to their CASA children.  Safe Harbour close to 25 volunteers throughout the year monitoring visits for families. 

How does Voices For Children, Inc.?

As a private, nonprofit organization, we raise all of our own funds through foundations, federal, state, and local government grants, special events, individual giving, places of worship, associations, and planned giving.  Click here to see a list of our funders.