Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for our Email Newsletter
For Email Marketing you can trust
Newsletter Archives
Lift up a child's voice. A child's Life.

Cathy's Corner

Visiting a Child (May 21, 2011)

Advocates must lay eyes on their CASA child once a month when placed in the area and every 6-8 weeks when placed out of the area.  We strive to assure that each child is seen in that allotted time.  The following are ways to think outside of the box get this done!


In the area: 

  • Schedule to observe a supervised visitation.  This way you will see the children and parent interaction and have the opportunity to get updates from the social worker.
  • Schedule an announced visit to the foster home.  When visiting at the foster home it opens the door for non-traditional times; evenings and/or weekends to get your visit in.
  • Contact the foster parents and get the child's schedule for the month, such as when they have therapist or doctor's appointments.  If it is more convenient for you, you may be able to stop in and see them prior to or after their appointments.
  • Does your CASA child play sports? If you are running out of time, stop by and watch a couple minutes of the game and catch up with the foster parent.  Children love to see their CASA Volunteer cheering them on! 

Out of the area: 

  • Foster care case workers need to visit with the child(ren) monthly (You need only to go every 6-8 weeks).  Co-ordinate a date/time to ride along with the foster care worker.  This saves gas and will allow you time to discuss the case with the social worker.
  • Contact and arrange a time to visit the child with their GAL.  Again, this will save gas and allow you time to catch the GAL up on the case and find out what you can do to better assist him/her on the case.
  • Verify the visitation schedule.  If the parents are local, there may be a time when the child(ren) are transported to the area for visitation.  If the visits are done out of the area and the foster care caseworker is transporting the parent, you could tag along with them.
  • Verify the child(ren)'s schedule with the foster parents.  Sometimes the child(ren) are transported back into the area to attend doctor's appointments, FPM, or FAPT meetings.   

There are many opportunities to visit your CASA child(ren) each month.  However, we understand that life is busy, if you cannot fit it into your schedule for the month, please reach out and call the child (if age appropriate) and let them know that you will not be able to see them.  Let them know that your supervisor will be stopping in to check on them for you!  Give me a call and we will work it out, there is no reason for any child not to be seen each month.