What Happens When A Child Enters Foster Care?

When a child in Kent County is removed from their home because of abuse or neglect, they enter an overburdened child welfare system. Most often, they live in a foster home or a residential group shelter. Their family is assigned to a caseworker from a local child welfare agency and to a judge from the 17th Circuit Court Family Division. The child experiences trauma not only from the abuse or neglect they endured, but also because they are removed from everything and everyone familiar to them.

Children in foster Care

160

children entered foster care in 2023

690

total children in foster care in 2023

33

average number of months in foster care

Why Do Children Need a Court Appointed Special Advocate?

Family court judges rarely have the opportunity to see or talk to the children about whom they make life-altering decisions. Because of this, they need help gathering as much information as possible. Although judges hear from caseworkers and attorneys, they often want to hear from one person who is exclusively focused on the children. In these situations, the judge orders a court appointed special advocate, or CASA, to serve on the case. Then the CASA becomes the voice of the child.

During this time, the child’s parents are also provided with attorneys, and they begin working with a foster care caseworker to address the initial problems that resulted in the removal of their children. From the beginning, the goal is to reunite the children with their parents whenever safely possible.

Joey and Aniyah's Story

Joey and Aniyah, ages 6 and 8, saw violence in their household from a very young age. Most recently, they watched their father choke their mother and threaten her life. A neighbor heard screaming and called the police. The children were removed from the home, and their mother is getting the help and support she needs. Joey and Aniyah need a CASA.

Ollie Needs a CASA

Two-year-old Oliver, nicknamed Ollie, was removed from his mother’s home because of her substance abuse. She would often leave him in his crib for long periods of time without feeding or changing him. When Ollie’s mom brought him to a medical office for a physical, the doctor noticed that Ollie was undernourished, had a severe diaper rash, and wasn’t babbling or making eye contact. Out of concern for the family, the doctor called child protective services. Ollie was removed from his mother’s care, and she is receiving services focused on her addiction. Ollie needs a CASA.

Tia Needs a CASA

Tia was in middle school when her grades started slipping and she became more withdrawn. Her teachers grew concerned and started to ask questions, but Tia shrugged her shoulders and said she was fine. Finally, after an awful weekend at home, Tia met with the school counselor and shared that she had been sexually abused for years. The counselor reported the abuse, and Tia went straight from school to an emergency foster care placement. Now she is living with her aunt. Tia needs a CASA.

CHANGE A CHILD’S STORY

Hurting and vulnerable infants, toddlers, children, and teens – either individually or in sibling groups – need support from their community. You can be that person. Donate. Volunteer. Spread the word.

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