Clayton CASA: 770-477-3268
Success Stories
Each year, thousands of childrenare thrust into court through no fault of their own. Some are victims of violence, psychological torment, or sexual abuse. Others have been neglected or abandoned by their own parents. Most are frightened and confused. Often these children also become victims of the overburdened child welfare system - a complex legal network of lawyers, social workers, and judges who are too frequently overworked to give thorough, detailed attention to each child. A National Institute of Justice study indicated being abused or neglected as a child increased the likelihood of arrest as a juvenile by 59 percent.
Abuse and neglect increased the likelihood of adult criminal behavior by 28 percent and violent crime by 30 percent. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as many as two-thirds of people in drug treatment programs reported being abused as children (2000). It is estimated that approximately one-third of abused and neglected children will eventually victimize their own children (Prevent Child Abuse New York, 2001). Here in Georgia, every 15 minutes, a child is the victim of confirmed abuse or neglect. Over 200 incidents of child abuse and neglect are reported daily and 99 children died from abuse and neglect in 2004.
The sooner a child is placed in a safe permanent home, the greater his chances of overcoming the past and becoming a healthy productive member of the community. Finding that safe permanent home is the mission of the CASA volunteer. Children, like these innocent victims who do not understand their rights or the legal system they are mired in, cannot advocate for themselves. Without a CASA volunteer they can quite literally be lost. Read these real stories about children right here in metro Atlanta whose futures are brighter because of the efforts of their CASA volunteers.
Abuse and neglect increased the likelihood of adult criminal behavior by 28 percent and violent crime by 30 percent. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, as many as two-thirds of people in drug treatment programs reported being abused as children (2000). It is estimated that approximately one-third of abused and neglected children will eventually victimize their own children (Prevent Child Abuse New York, 2001). Here in Georgia, every 15 minutes, a child is the victim of confirmed abuse or neglect. Over 200 incidents of child abuse and neglect are reported daily and 99 children died from abuse and neglect in 2004.
The sooner a child is placed in a safe permanent home, the greater his chances of overcoming the past and becoming a healthy productive member of the community. Finding that safe permanent home is the mission of the CASA volunteer. Children, like these innocent victims who do not understand their rights or the legal system they are mired in, cannot advocate for themselves. Without a CASA volunteer they can quite literally be lost. Read these real stories about children right here in metro Atlanta whose futures are brighter because of the efforts of their CASA volunteers.
Robbie, Jan, and Paul – ages 15, 13, and 10,respectively–were removed from their home because their father was abusive and an alcoholic. The family had been living in essentially third world conditions in a middle class, suburban neighborhood - in filth, with no food, and a hole in their roof.
Robbie and Jan were placed together in a foster home, but Paul, who suffered extreme ADHD, was sent to south Georgia because no therapeutic foster homes were available at that time in metro Atlanta. The only family member involved with the children was their grandfather, who in his 70s, was unfortunately too old to care for them. A couple close to the grandfather became foster parents in order to provide a home for Robbie and Jan, who by this time had lived in three different foster homes in one year’s time.
While assisting and facilitating the couple’s certification as foster parents, the children’s CASA volunteer continued searching for an appropriate nearby foster home for Paul. Ultimately, another family in north Georgia close to the grandfather offered to care for Paul. They were already certified as foster parents. In addition to supporting the children, helping to identify and evaluate appropriate foster homes, and expediting their placement, the children’s CASA volunteer developed relationships with their new teachers and guidance counselors to ensure they received the attention and services they needed. He also persuaded DFCS (Department of Family and Children Services) to pay for a reading tutor for Paul, who at 10 was reading at only a first grade level.
Paul now lives in north Georgia, near his brother and sister, and just five minutes away from his grandfather. With just four months of tutoring, Paul’s reading has already improved by three grade levels, and he is in the process of being moved into “mainstream” classes. After less than a year in their new home, Robbie and Jan are excelling in school. Robbie recently enrolled in an international honors program, at the completion of which he will receive a scholarship to a college of his choice.
Read additional success stories here...
Robbie and Jan were placed together in a foster home, but Paul, who suffered extreme ADHD, was sent to south Georgia because no therapeutic foster homes were available at that time in metro Atlanta. The only family member involved with the children was their grandfather, who in his 70s, was unfortunately too old to care for them. A couple close to the grandfather became foster parents in order to provide a home for Robbie and Jan, who by this time had lived in three different foster homes in one year’s time.
While assisting and facilitating the couple’s certification as foster parents, the children’s CASA volunteer continued searching for an appropriate nearby foster home for Paul. Ultimately, another family in north Georgia close to the grandfather offered to care for Paul. They were already certified as foster parents. In addition to supporting the children, helping to identify and evaluate appropriate foster homes, and expediting their placement, the children’s CASA volunteer developed relationships with their new teachers and guidance counselors to ensure they received the attention and services they needed. He also persuaded DFCS (Department of Family and Children Services) to pay for a reading tutor for Paul, who at 10 was reading at only a first grade level.
Paul now lives in north Georgia, near his brother and sister, and just five minutes away from his grandfather. With just four months of tutoring, Paul’s reading has already improved by three grade levels, and he is in the process of being moved into “mainstream” classes. After less than a year in their new home, Robbie and Jan are excelling in school. Robbie recently enrolled in an international honors program, at the completion of which he will receive a scholarship to a college of his choice.
Read additional success stories here...