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An estimated 879,000 children in the United States were found to be
abused, neglected, or abandoned by their families in 2000, with about
half of those children removed from their homes and placed in foster
care or institutions. Over 1200 children in the United States died
of abuse or neglect in 2000. 85% of them were younger than 6 years
of age. More than 3 children are dying each day, right here in the
United States, at the hands of their parents or guardians.
The US Department of Health and Human Services estimates there are
currently more than 547,000 children in the United States foster care
system, waiting for the courts to determine their fates.
Over 2,000 abuse / neglect petitions were filed in Albany
County Family Court in 2001 alone, resulting in over 800 children
living in foster care. (Across New York State, there are
over 13,000 children in foster care.)
It is up to a Family Court Judge to decide where these children will
spend their future. In the past, judges have often had to base decisions
regarding the future of abused and neglected children on inadequate
information and very little time. Given the number of cases
that move through the Albany and Rensselaer County Family Courts each
year, a judge has an average of less than four minutes to determine
the resolution of each family crisis.
Overburdened child welfare workers and attorneys may not have had
the time or resources to thoroughly monitor court orders, or to find
out first-hand what was in the best interest of each individual child.
As reports of abuse and neglect keep crowding court dockets, more
and more children have become "lost" in the confusing and
overburdened maze of the child welfare system.
The consequences of child abuse and neglect are devastating to the
victim and expensive to society. A 2001 study by “Prevent Child
Abuse America” (link) indicated that children who grow up in
foster care are more likely to suffer serious injuries; suffer chronic
medical problems including substance or alcohol abuse; undergo mental
health treatment; have court action taken on their behalf; suffer
a learning disorder requiring special education; become juvenile delinquents;
experience teen pregnancy; become runaways and/or prostitutes; be
disproportionately affected by unemployment and underemployment as
adults; and become involved in violent crime as adults. Most notably,
these children are more likely to grow up to perpetuate the cycle
of abuse.
CASA makes the difference.
While CASA must work within the system, studies show that a child
with a CASA volunteer is more likely to secure needed services in
a timely manner; is moved from placement to placement less frequently;
is more likely to have his/her case reviewed on a regular basis by
the court; and has a better chance of living in a safe, loving, permanent
home – sooner.
CASA has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice as a model
juvenile delinquency prevention program, which indicated that the
investment in CASA representation for one child will have paid off
40 times over when CASA’s involvement in a child’s case
prevents later juvenile delinquency or placement.
CASA is successful due to the personal motivation of the volunteers
and the ability to devote the time and attention needed to advocate
for one child at a time. CASA volunteers spend considerable time and
effort on their cases and remain involved over extended periods of
time. The volunteer is in the unique position of providing a meaningful
service while gaining a true sense of personal satisfaction
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