Voice, Healing, and Security

Spotlight on National Adoption Month

Each November, we celebrate National Adoption Month by raising awareness of the many children in foster care awaiting loving, permanent homes. This month is also a time to celebrate the professionals who support these young people on their paths to permanency and the families who provide loving, lasting bonds.

Connections are crucial on the path to permanency. They can help youth stay linked to their cultures and traditions, nurture a sense of belonging, and provide guidance as youth mature into adulthood. For many young people, having someone they trust can buffer the effects of trauma. When we think about connection, we should view it through the lens of a kin-first culture and promote young people's relationships with relatives, their communities, and those who share their racial and ethnic identities. These include parents, grandparents, siblings, friends who feel like family, mentors, and peers. Connections should not be limited to legal permanency only; for many young people, relational permanency—lifelong connections with supportive adults—can be just as important.

Written by Commissioner Rebecca Jones Gaston

November 2024 Vol. 25, No. 9

Click here to access full article:

https://cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov/article/2024/november/cultivating-connections-a-message-from-commissioner-rebecca-jones-gaston/2da72d308715d210106fb848cebb3553

Click here to access state-specific charts focused on permanency options for children in kinship care.

Generations United provided the newly updated state-specific comparison charts provide important details about what adoption looks like in all 50 states and the District of Columbia as compared to guardianship.

Retrieved November, 2024 from cbexpress.acf.hhs.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families and the Children's Bureau.

Effective Court Advocacy

As a CASA Volunteer, one of our primary purposes is to provide our judges with information to guide them in making decisions in the best interest of the child. This task begins way before we get into the court room. Please click on the link to receive Tips for Effective Court Advocacy.

Click here to read the full document.

Remember to keep your CASA Volunteer file up-to-date with your current auto insurance card, driver's license, and contact information. And remember to visit your CASA child face-to-face at least once a month.

Click here to learn more about how CACs help ki ds

Recognize, React, REPORT

A community resource for Protecting Children and Preventing Child Abuse.

Child Advocacy Services is proud to offer this resource free of charge. This is a community resource for protecting children and preventing child abuse. It was originally designed because people often witness child abuse and neglect but do not understand their responsibility in reacting to the incident or making a report. Also, children themselves have a difficult time expressing concerns or understanding abuse. The interactive design makes this an excellent resource for adults and children to review together. The newly revised resource has been updated to include information on keeping kids safe in a digital world as well as the "5 Steps to Protecting our Children."

Click the link below to visit our website, where you can download a digital copy of this resource, or contact us to receive your own copies.

Click here to access resource.

Upcoming Trainings, Webinars, and Conferences

*CASA Volunteers are required to receive 12 Continuing Education hours per year. Only 4 can be articles, newsletters, and films.

Ongoing: TBRI Fridays

Ongoing eLearning: Louisiana Child Welfare Training Academy

Ongoing eLearning: Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Trainings

Louisiana Children's Trust Fund

Access past sessions on LCTF website here: https://www.louisianactf.org/speaker-series21.html

Brave children tell their stories. Courageous adults help these children through their trauma and assist them in finding a safe future. Buttons of Bravery represent the journey of one child for a year under the care of Child Advocacy Services.

Thank You for Making "Sundresses & Shrimp Boots" a Success!

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made our event a memorable success. To our generous sponsors, dedicated partners, amazing attendees, and hardworking volunteers -- your support and enthusiasm are invaluable.

Because of you, we were able to bring our community together for a fun and meaningful evening. Stay tuned for more information about how you can continue to support our services for children and make a lasting impact.

Thank you once again for your incredible support!

This Giving Tuesday, you can be the light in a child's life. A child who has experienced abuse or neglect. A child who may be navigating foster care or the court system alone. A child who needs a CASA. Help us bring the care and compassion of a CASA volunteer to more children in need by making a gift on December 3rd!

In 2023, Child Advocacy Services CASA Program served 466 children with 189 volunteers dedicating over 6,767 hours. The CAC Program provided 805 forensic interviews and 639 counseling sessions to children and families.

YOU can help us do more by investing in services for children!

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