The importance of maintaining sibling connections is well known. The reasons they are not kept together when removed from their home may not be as well understood. One of the most common reasons for separation is the lack of foster homes that can accommodate sibling...
CASA Help Guides
In The Spotlight – “By Their Side” Podcast
VOICES is thrilled to announce the launch of our new podcast series, ‘By Their Side!’ Join us as we engage industry professionals in candid discussions on topics such as trauma, attachment, and effective advocacy strategies. Listeners can tune in monthly to gain...
Podcast: Strengths-Based Strategies for Supporting Children in Crisis with Kevin Powell, Ph.D.
Podcast: Nurturing Birth Parent Connections with Ashley Mitchell
Podcast: Fostering Healing Through Connection with Dafna Lender, LCSW
My CASA Journey (Feb 2024)
As a CASA Volunteer, you never know what unique needs you uncover as you get to know your appointed child. Sometimes it is identifying the gaps such as a bank account for a minor or a kinship placement that is low on diapers. Or unique situations such as the child who...
Strengthening Advocacy Through Education
Many people have heard of the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn phenomenon. This survival instinct was developed over time to protect ourselves and ensure the continuation of the human species. But what happens when this instinct becomes maladaptive? Children who have...
My CASA Journey – Advocating for Older Youth
Advocating for Older Youth: When a CASA is appointed to an older teen, the advocacy timeline intensifies knowing a youth is headed to adulthood. After experiencing trauma, and often multiple placements, they are now at risk of leaving foster care without a permanent...
My CASA Journey – Building Trust
CASA volunteers are often the only consistent adult a youth in foster care sees and each outing helps the CASA child feel heard and seen. It may take a variety of experiences for one to resonate and help the child or teen decide to talk openly. One CASA after visiting...
Strengthening Advocacy Through Education – Supporting Youth in Times of Transition
Many schools are out for Fall break and families in the valley are adjusting their schedules as the holidays are just around the corner. For youth in foster care, this time of the year can be especially challenging. As Bruce Perry stated, “The capacity to successfully...