Success Stories...

How some of our children found permanency:

Five children were ready for adoption after the parents couldn't complete their case plans.  Three were adopted and two more have been waiting over a year for the right home.  After more than 3 years in foster care and lots of advocacy from their CASA volunteer, these two teen boys are moving into their new adoptive home and starting school on August 2. 

One girl was placed with friends of the family after the CASA volunteer reported to the Judge that the friends’ home was a good one and that they had a loving relationship with the child. DFCS couldn't recommend placement except in a foster home or with family.   This young woman just graduated from high school and will be attending college in fall 2010.

One child went home to his mother even though his older brothers and sisters had been adopted by other families. CASA volunteer believed that the mother could change her habits and make a good and safe environment for the child and encouraged the mother to work her case plan.  Because of this continuing support, the mother got her child back.

One child got new glasses, got a filling and found a better foster situation because of a CASA volunteer advocating for him.

One child went home to her father, even though everyone but the CASA volunteer had written him off; the volunteer searched for the father, found him in another state and visited him to make sure his home would be good for the child. No one had asked him if he wanted his child back.

One child with fetal alcohol syndrome got placed with his relatives who weren’t sure they wanted to keep him. The CASA  volunteer saw how the child flourished in their home and kept talking with them until they decided they wanted to adopt him.

Two children were adopted by a relative despite the relative’s age.  CASA volunteer explored other relatives but found that this relative was the one with whom the children felt the closest bond. Because of the CASA volunteer’s knowledge of the case and her advocacy, the children were adopted by their relative.