COVID-19 Response
“Since the pandemic began, Georgia CASA has been available every step of the way to support continued CASA volunteer advocacy at the local & state levels. The ability to connect with peers, learn from how different parts of the state were responding, & receiving resources & information at the earliest point possible allowed us to quickly respond, adapt, & meet the immediate & long-term needs of children & families.”
–Charlene Maldonado, Program Director, Dougherty CASA, Albany, GA
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic when our families and communities have been physically distanced, CASA advocacy has continued.
Wrap-up of Georgia CASA’s Work in 2020
Ways to Help
Donate Now – Your donation is impactful and very much needed.
Start a Facebook Fundraiser – Ask your social network to donate.
Volunteer – Children involved in foster care need CASA volunteers to advocate for their best interests. Many CASA programs in Georgia offer virtual or hybrid trainings.
CASA Advocacy During Pandemic
We Are Working
CASA volunteers are connected and accessible to children, caregivers, parents, case managers and the courts:
- Addressing immediate needs and bringing urgency to critical concerns via virtual and physically-distanced visits, phone calls and written communications
- Ensuring children have regular and immediate contact, encouragement and hope
- Providing a consistent, reassuring presence that’s even more critical during uncertain times
Georgia CASA has harnessed resources to support our statewide CASA network of affiliates and continue our role as an influential leader in the child welfare system:
- Hosting regular and frequent calls with affiliate directors, state agency leads, elected officials and child welfare advocates to provide relevant and timely information
- Offering virtual and hybrid staff and volunteer trainings
- Raising awareness for and through advocacy for our most vulnerable children
We Are Prepared
The number of child abuse referrals and entries into foster care may rise with a return to in-person school:
- Child abuse reports often drop when children have limited outside contact
- Normal school, community or other social contacts that help provide a safe haven and safeguards may have been reduced or eliminated
- Abuse and neglect may have gone unnoticed
We understand the critical role our CASA advocates play in prevention and family support is more critical than ever, and we will continue to bring immediate attention to the needs of children and their caregivers moving forward.