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CASA program uses volunteers to advocate for kids

Cheryl Splain

January 04, 2021 |

Knox Pages |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mount Vernon, Ohio

In 55 Ohio counties, judges can appoint volunteers from Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs to represent the interests of children when their families' struggles end up in court. CASA volunteers act as a judge's eyes and ears in the lives of children who are suspected of being victims of abuse or neglect, or who at least need a more stable home. They recommend placement options and treatment services. Such programs can save counties money, by replacing paid lawyers serving as guardians, and volunteers can be more attentive to children's needs.

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How one Texas non-profit is helping foster children learn and stay safe during the pandemic

Jennifer Sanders

December 14, 2020 |

KXAN-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Austin, Texas

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way foster care works. The SAFE Alliance, a merger of Austin Children’s Shelter and SafePlace, had to change the way they do things to ensure the safety of children and teens. “In late February we decided we needed to create a COVID-response team, so the executive team got together and created what we call a COVID coordinator.” Apart from implementing safety protocols, they also found ways to avoid staff burnout, and restructured their teen parent and early childhood programs.

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Program in Montrose County Helps Homeless Families Pursue Self-Sufficiency

Laura Palmisano

November 17, 2020 |

Mountain Grown Community Radio (KVNF) |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Olathe, Colorado

Haven House, a faith-based provider of transitional housing for families experiencing homelessness, offers a safe place to live while working to reunite families that face possible loss of child custody over their housing or substance-use status. Required classes in parenting and budgeting, plus job-search services and other classes, have helped more than 370 families over the past decade. Families, who often are referred to the program from the county's Child Protective Services agency, can remain at the house for up to two years if they comply with the rules.

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For families involved in Philly's child welfare system, this program is building a safety net

Steve Volk

November 12, 2020 |

Kensington Voice |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

A pilot program within the child welfare system in Philadelphia is providing wraparound services for parents at risk of losing custody of their children. The multi-disciplinary services include an attorney, social workers, and a peer advocate in addition to services that help stabilize families such as housing, employment, and addiction treatment. Similar programs in New York City and Washington state show significant reductions of time spent by children in foster care and increased rates of reunification - saving money and reducing trauma.

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Florida took thousands of kids from families, then failed to keep them safe.

Pat Beall Daphne Chen Michael Braga Josh Salman

October 16, 2020 |

USA Today |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Florida

Alarmed that child-welfare officials failed too often to prevent abuse within families, Florida responded six years ago with a crackdown that reversed official policy favoring preserving families if possible. But removing far more children from their homes backfired with an overwhelmed foster-care system unable to detect more child abuse in foster homes. Children were sent to homes with foster parents who were known to pose child-abuse risks. The state failed to hire enough caseworkers and failed to address the family problems that led to the abuse in the first place.

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Watery Bangladesh Works to Prevent Child Drowning Deaths

Amy Yee

September 24, 2020 |

Voice of America (VOA) |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Bangladesh, Dhaka

After experiencing a high rate of drownings among children due to the number of rivers and ponds in the country, a non-profit organization in Bangladesh has been offering swim lessons to children in rural areas that are more susceptible to encountering dangerous waters. Since the program started, the rate has decreased nearly 50 percent while the confidence of the participants has increased.

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Trauma-informed practices necessary for police, experts say

Jordyn Haime

July 01, 2020 |

Concord Monitor |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Manchester, New Hampshire

The Adverse Childhood Experience Response Team sends family and crisis services advocates with police officers on home visits to offer families trauma-informed services after police have responded to an earlier emergency at the home. More than 1,200 children have been referred to services, an offer of help most families accept. Although the pandemic shutdown interrupted house calls, the model has spread to other New Hampshire communities. The ultimate effectiveness of the intervention may not be known for years, and only if researchers can follow up to learn if it may have prevented future incidents.

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With Families Staying Home, Boston Hospital Takes Pediatric Care on the Road

Ally Donnelly

June 24, 2020 |

WBTS-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

Under 3 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

In Boston, doctors are making visits to neighborhoods during the coronavirus pandemic in order to provide routine vaccinations to children. Using a donated ambulance as a "mobile pediatrician's office," a nursing team has provided vaccinations as well as food and supplies to approximately 450 families.

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ACERT: Getting help for traumatized kids

Roberta Baker

June 17, 2020 |

The Laconia Daily Sun |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Laconia, New Hampshire

To connect children with the counseling and other services they need to heal from traumatic experiences, the Adverse Childhood Experience Response team trains police and others to spot problems early and make prompt referrals. Laconia's ACERT program has started small, with 14 interventions in its first nine months, but it's patterned on Manchester's program, which in less than four years has helped 1,200 children and families. By refining its approaches to families, the program convinces most to permit interventions. Early help for trauma can spare children long-term, serious health and emotional problems.

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The Doctor Healing Wounds of War in Basilan

Martin San Diego

June 14, 2020 |

Medium |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Philippines, Lamitan City, Basilan

By fostering dialog between the military and rebel soldiers in a region long afflicted with violence, a physician whose clinic exposed her to children’s severe PTSD has helped heal the effects of trauma and the scars of war. Save the Children of War in Basilan has gone beyond its focus on child health and welfare to broker reconciliation talks between rebel groups and the military, in large part by getting both sides to see their opponents’ motives through a new lens. Kidnappings, once rampant, have been nonexistent since 2016.

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