By Cheryl Pullam, CASA Volunteer, Southeast Georgia CASA 

Being a CASA volunteer is incredibly fulfilling, especially when you see a child begin to recognize their own potential. One of my current cases has reminded me of the importance of persistence, resourcefulness, and never giving up on a child.

For this story, I’ll call the 16-year-old teen Emily. When Emily and her infant daughter entered foster care, they were placed with a relative. During the case investigation, I learned that Emily had not attended formal school since the third grade. Although her parents had provided an online educational program, there had been little follow-up to ensure she was making progress.

When I became involved, Emily was expected to attend a specialized program through her local public high school to help her earn credits and work toward graduation. However, getting her to attend school consistently was a challenge. I reached out to school personnel and met with a school official to better understand Emily’s educational progress. I learned that she had missed numerous days and was frequently late. I included this information in my report to the court, emphasizing the importance of education not only for Emily’s future but also for her ability to build a stable life for herself and her daughter.

Through continued encouragement and conversations with Emily and her caregivers about the opportunities education could provide, we began to see a change. I am happy to share that Emily now attends school regularly and, more importantly, wants to be there.

Emily has since reunited with her parents, and she is happy about the reunification. Another concern I had was her limited opportunities to socialize with peers. I continued sharing resources and ideas to help her connect with other young people. Her mother later shared that Emily had made friends and even started inviting them to their home.

At Emily’s reunification hearing, the court ordered nine months of aftercare. I plan to use this time to continue encouraging Emily and her parents, helping them connect with resources, and supporting Emily as she works toward her goals.

Why Educational Advocacy Matters

Emily’s story is a reminder that educational advocacy involves more than asking whether a child is enrolled in school. It means looking beyond enrollment to understand whether a child is attending, making progress, building relationships, and receiving the support needed to succeed.

Children in foster care may experience disruptions in their education, gaps in learning, and challenges that make it difficult to stay engaged. As CASA volunteers, we have an opportunity to ask questions, gather information, communicate concerns to the court, and help ensure a child’s educational needs remain a priority.

We may not be able to change a child’s circumstances overnight, but we can remain present, keep asking questions, identify resources, and continue advocating when progress takes time.

For me, Emily’s journey reinforces why I serve as a CASA volunteer. Sometimes, advocacy means helping a child see possibilities they may not have imagined for themselves. And sometimes, the most meaningful progress begins with simply showing up, again and again, until a child begins to believe in what is possible.