Lone Star CASA: Speak up for kids in foster care from your own home

ROCKWALL COUNTY, TX – Jan. 15, 2021 – Lone Star CASA is calling for community members to step up and advocate for children and families involved in the child welfare system in our local area.

“Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing, many of us have been feeling increased stress, anxiety and isolation. Children involved in the foster care system are no exception,” said Lauren Rowe, Executive Director of Lone Star CASA “While we can’t always physically be by their side right now, we still want the children who are in foster care right here in our community to know they have an advocate on their side. With so much uncertainty in the world, we want to help give these kids peace of mind, stability and connection. We want them to feel safety and comfort.”

Volunteers with Lone Star CASA are known as CASA volunteers, or Court Appointed Special Advocates. These CASA volunteers advocate for a child or sibling group while they are in foster care. CASA volunteers advocate in the courtroom, school and other settings for the best interest of the child they are representing, help them stay connected with their families and communities, and work towards family reunification whenever safe and possible.

“COVID-19 has changed how we conduct our advocacy work, but it has not changed our drive and passion to serve the children and families of this community,” said Rowe. “We are taking precautions with how we conduct our trainings, visits with children and families, volunteer supervision and events to ensure the safety of all involved.”

As a part of their new operating procedures, Lone Star CASA is offering a combination of socially distanced and virtual options for Information Sessions and training. In addition to this, precautions like ensuring volunteers wear masks and maintain distance as well as some virtual visits are set in place to help prevent spread amongst the community.

“We are here to serve the children and families of Rockwall County. We want to do that as safely as possible for the sake of those we serve, our staff, our volunteers and the greater public,” said Rowe. “We never want a child in foster care to go without a CASA volunteer, especially now. That’s why we need our community to stand up and join us in our advocacy.”

If you’ve been looking for a unique way to serve your community, join the CASA movement. What better time than now? If you’d like to find out more about becoming a CASA volunteer or other ways to get involved, visit www.lonestarcasa.org or https://www.facebook.com/LoneStarCASA

Submitted press release, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News.