Shar Herrera: Advocates can be a lifeline to a foster child
There’s a common misconception that children in foster care did something wrong, that they were taken from their family because of a misdeed or because they misbehaved. This idea couldn’t be further from the truth. Children in foster care are there for their own protection because they’ve been abused, neglected or abandoned by a parent or caregiver.
When they enter foster care, their world is turned upside down. In addition to the abuse or neglect that they might have experienced, being thrust into a new environment can also be traumatizing.
However, there are people in our community who are improving the lives of foster children. CASA volunteers, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, work one-on-one with a child or sibling group in foster care. They get to know the child, and work with the professionals in the child’s life to develop a plan to help them heal and stay on track academically. In addition, CASA volunteers provide crucial information to judges so the court can make more informed decisions about a child’s case. Each April, our country recognizes National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This year, we encourage you to make a difference in a foster child’s life by becoming a CASA volunteer.
Shar Herrera, Merced
This story was originally published April 18, 2017 at 5:54 PM with the headline "Shar Herrera: Advocates can be a lifeline to a foster child."