Reflections on Mother’s Day, My CASA Work and Having a Choice

We invited guest blogger Leana Katz to share her thoughts with us this month after celebrating Mother’s Day with her two young children. Leana is a volunteer with SCAN’s Alexandria/Arlington CASA Program, and while raising her own children has also given the precious gift of time and a voice to advocate for five others.

I became a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer the same year that I became a mom. In fact, March 2007–the month of my swearing-in ceremony–was also the month I got pregnant with my first child. As I’ve journeyed further into motherhood, I’ve gone from a freshly trained CASA with no experience to having successfully worked four cases through completion in the Arlington County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court system. Now on my fifth case, I’ve advocated for children who have been neglected, abandoned and abused.

I got my first case soon after I became pregnant; it involved an infant who was eventually adopted by her foster mother. As my own daughter grew inside me, I was moved by the foster mother’s dedication and love. And, moreover, her trust in a system that ultimately resulted in – but never guaranteed – adoption. When my daughter was born later that year, I was moved thinking back to the patience that foster mother must have had awaiting her daughter’s adoption. I had come to love the baby growing inside me before her birth and I thought about how as a foster mother, she had cared for and loved that baby even before she knew adoption would be a possibility and that she would become her daughter permanently.

As my daughter turned from a baby into a toddler, I was given a case with a child almost the exact same age as my daughter – not yet two-years-old. That child, too, was eventually adopted and once again I marveled at the foster parents’ ability to care for and love a child not knowing how long he would live with them, whether or not he would be returned to his biological parents, or someday be open for adoption.

I gave birth to my second daughter in September 2011 and last summer I began working on my fifth and current case.  Once again, it involves a child just two months younger than my second daughter.

I was drawn to do CASA work because of some experiences in my own childhood, but I continue doing it because I believe each and every child is valuable and precious. Each and every child deserves to grow up in a loving, safe and predictable environment.  My own childhood was often not ideal, and I have worked hard to provide my two daughters (now five and twenty-months) with that positive environment.

Not all children are so fortunate.

I am dedicated to helping these children because no child can choose whom they are born to, or in what kind of environment they grow up. However, as an adult and as a mother, I’m in a special position to understand just how important these things are for a child. I can choose to help these children and the adults that care for them. I can choose to take steps to help ensure that their future is brighter and their lives happier. I am so grateful for that choice, and for an organization like SCAN where I can put my beliefs into action.

- Leana

Celebrating Foster Care (and being glad there’s less of it)!

SCAN’s CASA Volunteers are one group of adults working to support children in foster care.

“As a Nation, we have no task more important than ensuring our children grow up healthy and safe. It is a promise we owe to the hundreds of thousands of youth in foster care – boys and girls who too often go without the love, protection, and stability of a permanent family. This month, we recommit to giving them that critical support, and we recognize the foster parents and professionals who work every day to lift up the children in their care toward a bright, productive future.Thanks to those efforts, the number of young people in foster care is falling and fewer children are waiting for adoption. But even now, more than 400,000 kids are looking for permanency with caring parents.” – President Barack Obama’s Proclamation for National Foster Care Month

Here in Northern Virginia, we are also celebrating National Foster Care Month. It is a time to recognize all those who help support children in foster care (like SCAN’s CASA volunteers) and to acknowledge the progress we’ve made as a region, state and nation. But there are still far too many children without permanent homes.

Fewer Children in Foster Care

There were just over 5,000 children in foster care in Virginia as of April 2013 – an almost 40 percent reduction from April 2006. The story is similar in many Northern Virginia jurisdictions, with a 57 percent decrease in the number of kids in foster care in the City of Alexandria, a 44 percent decline in Arlington County, and a 32 percent decrease in Fairfax County. The numbers of children in foster care have been more stable in Prince William and Loudon Counties.

Why the Decline?

There are a variety of reasons that fewer children are now in foster care. Much of the change is likely to due to an increased child welfare focus on keeping as many children home as safely possible. Following the 2008 federal Fostering Connections Act and state changes, social workers are trying to keep children in their homes whenever possible, with extra supports for families to help keep children safe. There is also an increased focus on placing children with relatives (also known as kinship care) if their parents cannot care for them, instead of placing children with strangers in foster care. Changing demographics in our area – as the cost of living continues to increase – may also be responsible for the decline.

Still Work to Do

While fewer children in foster care is a positive step, there is still work to be done. First, we must ensure that children are receiving the services they need and that every child is in a safe home. We must also ensure that children in foster care return home as quickly and safely possible, after their parents have addressed the issues that brought them into care. Every child deserves a safe, permanent home and we must all work together to get there!

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May is National Foster Care Month, and we’re happy to bring you the first post of a two-part blog series on foster care. Today’s post was written by Lindsay Ferrer, CASA Case Coordinator, and the second post will be written by Adam Robe, CEO of Foster Care Alumni of America. Be sure to subscribe to our blog (enter your email address in the upper left-hand corner of this page and click “Subscribe via email!” button) to receive an email update when new posts are published.

SNEAK PEEK @ SCAN’s Croquet Day

Wondering what our new Croquet Day on May 18th will be all about? We have to keep some of the fun a surprise, but we can share a few photos of the preparations in full swing for this family-friendly event. Enjoy this sneak peek of the FUN, then contact us to VOLUNTEER (info@scanva.org) or REGISTER TODAY (it’s the final day to register!)…Family Teams are only $75 and Spectator Tickets (for other lawn games and treats) are only $15 per person! Otherwise, stop by to see the fun, buy a snack and play a lawn game or two. See you on the 18th!

And now, for the official Sneak Peek:

CASA ASKS: How do home visits help prevent child abuse & neglect?

This is the third post in a series of three from SCAN’s CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program, written by Lindsay Warner Ferrer. Lindsay is a CASA Case Supervisor and was previously a trained volunteer with the program.

One of the best ways to prevent abuse and neglect is through home visiting programs for new parents. There are many different programs, with varying levels of research evidence. These in-home programs pair trained nurses or paraprofessionals with new parents to help them develop parenting skills, access community resources and ensure their children are safe and thriving. Virginia communities offer many different home visiting models.

One of the most effective programs for preventing child abuse and neglect is the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP). NFP pairs low-income, first-time mothers with a trained public health registered nurse beginning in the second trimester of pregnancy and lasting through a child’s second birthday. Several high-quality, randomized control studies show that abuse and neglect can be cut in half among children whose mothers participate in NFP, compared to children whose mothers are left out. Children whose mothers participate are also less likely to later become involved in crime. Participating mothers have better prenatal health and are less likely to have closely spaced births than mothers left out. The first NFP program in Virginia was launched in 2012, thanks to federal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program funding.

Another nationally established program, Healthy Families, can also improve outcomes for young children and their families. Healthy Families Virginia works throughout the state to promote positive parenting, improve child health, promote responsive parent-child interaction, and prevent child abuse and neglect among pregnant women and families of children under age 5. The most recent Virginia data show that over 90 percent of participating families received recommended prenatal care, were delivered at an appropriate birthweight, were connected to medical providers and were immunized. The FY 2011 statewide rate of confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect among program participants was only 0.7 percent, a very low rate for such a high risk population.

SafeCare is an example of a home visiting program that can help families who have already had an incidence of abuse and neglect or are deemed at a very high risk. A high-quality, randomized statewide study in Oklahoma found that adding SafeCare to the state’s existing child welfare in-home service program helped prevent repeat abuse. SafeCare reduced reports for neglect and abuse by about 26 percent compared to the same in-home services without SafeCare for parents of children ages 0-5. Few programs have had success with families with a history of abuse, making these results even more impressive. SafeCare does not yet operate in Virginia.

These are only a few of the many program models that can help Virginia families thrive and keep their children safe from abuse and neglect. Since 2006, the Virginia Home Visiting Consortium has been improving the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of early childhood home visiting services in the state.

• PREVIOUSLY IN THE CASA ASKS SERIES: WHAT DOES CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LOOK LIKE IN VIRGINIA?
• PREVIOUSLY IN THE CASA ASKS SERIES: DO CASA VOLUNTEERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

April: It’s time to get personal

Today’s guest blogger is Kim Fiske, a longtime supporter and current Board Member of SCAN. Kim’s perspective on SCAN’s change and growth over the years is valuable, but it’s her personal connections and networking that we find especially uplifting. She is an individual who has put her heart into her commitment to SCAN on many levels, and we’re so glad she’s sharing a plea to make SCAN “personal” with our readers today:

This is an exciting year for SCAN – we are celebrating 25 years of helping vulnerable children and educating our community. During this year we are taking some time to review our accomplishments and growth (see a timeline of our history here) while looking forward to new ways to engage with the community (see information about our upcoming 1st Croquet Day here).

One accomplishment I am particularly proud of is the Allies in Prevention Luncheon.  Eleven years ago, SCAN launched this event to thank and celebrate those who work every day to protect children and support families in Northern Virginia. Many contribute to make the event special, including hosts like ABC7′s Leon Harris, keynote speakers (learn more about past speakers here) and our long time Campaign Sponsor Verizon, often represented at the luncheon by our friend Doug Brammer.

Each year, we honor five individuals who have gone above and beyond to prevent child abuse and neglect in their communities, but everyone in that room is a hero.  The work they do is emotionally difficult; I often wonder how they can keep on going day after day. This year we asked past award winners what inspires them to continue their work in prevention.  Some shared stories of a single child’s success making it all worth it. Others noted that sincere gratitude from families they serve proved motivational. And several respondents said they were inspired by the work of others – their colleagues and members of their community.

That last response made me think about the many people who have told me they volunteered with or donated to SCAN because of a single person. Because of Dave Cleary, our founder.  Or because of Jason Osser, a board member. Or Sonia Quiñónez, our executive director.  People are inspired by the works and actions of people they know and respect.  Members of my book club, friends, employees and even clients have become involved with SCAN in one way or another because they have heard me talking about my personal involvement with the organization over the years.

Think about that as April – Child Abuse Prevention Month – draws to a close.  Someone might be inspired by YOU and YOUR actions this month.

So I challenge you to get personal with SCAN today. Share a volunteer experience. Tell someone that you made a donation. The impact you have will be very personal for the children and families in our programs. I can promise you that.

- Kim

Kim Fiske, SCAN Board Member

A mid-month update: Smiles, pinwheels & so many more opportunities to make a difference!

We kicked off National Child Abuse Prevention Month in a blur of smiles and blue pinwheels! On April 2nd we distributed thousands of public education materials at our exciting Allies in Prevention Awards (smiles courtesy of ABC7′s Leon Harris and our amazing 2013 honorees!), and we haven’t slowed down since. From visits to dozens of local businesses and faith groups (otherwise known as Pinwheel Partners) to attending the statewide Virginia Child Abuse Prevention Conference to media coverage in the local papers and even on the ABC7 evening news, SCAN staff and volunteers have found a renewed energy and commitment this month to empowering adults right here in our community to prevent child abuse and neglect.

SCAN’s “regular” work continues, too. Our Alexandria/Arlington CASA Program just completed a new round of Volunteer Training and hosted a swearing-in for 14 new volunteer child advocates this month. Our Parent Education Program kicked off a new ABCs Para Padres (ABCs of Parenting) Class for Spanish-speaking families in April, and is hosting a number of fantastic Parent Workshops this spring covering topics like immigration law and family financial planning.

To top it all off we’re thrilled to report that through our participation in Alexandria’s amazing one-day Spring2Action event yesterday, generous donors helped us raise over $4,000 for SCAN’s programs!

So we may be half-way through Child Abuse Prevention Month, but there are still SO MANY opportunities to take action this April:

1. THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 20th, attend a Stewards of Children Training with SCAN at McLean Baptist Church. We’ll be training participants to recognize, respond and react to signs of child sexual abuse. EVERY adult in our community should have this training. Consider your faith group, local youth sports organization or neighborhood. Who else might be interested in this information? Learn more (and register) here.

2. THROUGH APRIL 30th, donate your change at a local Burke & Herbert Bank location and they will match up to $1,000 for SCAN! Simply let your teller know you want to donate your coins to SCAN, and they’ll take care of the rest. For participating locations, see the official flyer here.

3. ALL MONTH LONG, visit our Pinwheel Partners in your community. Tell them you appreciate that they’re making a commitment to your community’s children and families. Buy a pinwheel from them to support SCAN, and then plant that pinwheel in your front yard, at your workplace or with your faith group.

4. ALL YEAR LONG, spread the word that EVERY CHILD & FAMILY MATTERS by sharing SCAN’s The Little Picture campaign. Check out our resources for community members and organizations to share here.

p.s. And don’t forget – we love to hear about everything you’re doing this month for SCAN! Plant a pinwheel? Send us a pic! Visit a Pinwheel Partner? Message us on Facebook!

What is a Pinwheel Partner?

We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response from dozens of local businesses and faith groups who have joined us as Pinwheel Partners this year during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. From salons and toy stores to coffee shops and churches, there are so many places where you might see the official Pinwheel Partner decal this April! But what does being a Pinwheel Partner really mean? For many local businesses, it means they’ll be selling pinwheels for $2 to raise money for SCAN, distributing materials from our The Little Picture: Every Child & Family Matters campaign or hosting special events to support our programs. It’s an exciting program because every Pinwheel Partner provides a way for us to reach new neighborhoods and families we might not otherwise touch.

In addition to our important organizational partners, we consider every individual who buys a pinwheel or supports these partners during April a Pinwheel Partner. Because—when it comes down to it—being a Pinwheel Partner is really about simply saying, “I’m planting this pinwheel because I support the prevention of child abuse and neglect.” We invite businesses, faith groups and individual community members to get involved this April:

• Purchase a pinwheel from one of our Pinwheel Partners (see the full list here) or make your own here! Plant it at home, your office, school or faith group. Spread the word that you believe every child and family matters.
• Register for our April 20th Stewards of Children Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training held at McLean Baptist Church. Learn more here.
• Use our bulletin inserts, fact sheets and newsletter articles at your place of worship or local school.
• Tweet about the campaign! @scanofnova #TheLittlePicture #PinwheelsforPrevention
• Donate your change to SCAN at one of the 10 Burke & Herbert Bank locations with a Change Machine. Find locations here. Burke & Herbert Bank will match up to $1,000 in donations to SCAN!

We believe every child and family matters. Every Pinwheel Partner does, too. So the important question isn’t ‘What is a Pinwheel Partner?’—it’s ‘Are you ready to be one?’

CYP Kicks off April! Book and Toy Drive for Children in CASA Program

Today’s guest blog post comes from SCAN’s Council of Young Professionals, an energetic group of 20- and 30-something-year-old volunteers getting ready to make a big impact in April for National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Thanks to Meghan Tuttle and Angela Walter for contributing to this special post!

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and, it goes without saying, is also a special time of year here at SCAN! The Council of Young Professionals put their creative juices to work last week decorating boxes for our new Book and Stuffed Animal Drive. SCAN’s CYP is hosting this drive throughout the month of April to provide books and stuffed animals for the children served by SCAN’s Alexandria/Arlington CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program.

The Alexandria/Arlington CASA Program provides trained volunteers appointed by the court to serve as a direct voice for children in the juvenile court system. Our hope is that the stuffed animals may provide some comfort to children who are involved in court proceedings as well as other difficult times throughout the process. Many times children served by the CASA Program have to wait for long periods of time in court for their individual proceedings to begin. The books will provide them with a good, constructive way to pass the time.

The most important thing about this drive is being able to provide a little comfort and entertainment to children in need. We all have old childhood books on our shelves that we can donate to this cause.  Nemo, giant zebras, and cuddly teddy bears can bring a smile to a child’s face when they need it most. Let’s celebrate this special month of awareness by bringing a little joy into the hearts of CASA children.

It’s just one way CYP is giving back during the month of April, and you can be a part of this effort too! Drop off a new book or stuffed animal at local businesses like Whole Foods in Alexandria and Los Toltecos restaurants in the area. More details regarding additional drop-box locations will be announced soon (be sure to follow SCAN on Facebook for updates!) – in the meantime, feel free to bring your donations to SCAN.

Thank you for your support! We’ll build hope for children one book and one stuffed animal at a time.

- Meghan and Angela, CYP Members

CASA ASKS: Do CASA volunteers make a difference?

This is the second post in a series of three from SCAN’s CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program, written by Lindsay Warner Ferrer. Lindsay is a CASA Case Supervisor and was previously a trained volunteer with the program.

The Alexandria/Arlington Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program provides trained volunteers appointed by the Court to serve as a direct voice for children in the juvenile court system. Volunteers conduct interviews with the children, families, and professionals involved in the case, monitor compliance with the Court orders, and attend Court hearings where they advocate for the best interest of the child.

While it’s difficult to evaluate a CASA volunteer’s impact, many local and national studies have tried to capture some of the important ways CASA volunteers help court-involved children. One large study using CASA program data and a national data set found that:

• Children with a CASA volunteer received significantly more services than children without a CASA volunteer, particularly mental health services and medical services.
• Parents of children with a CASA volunteer received significantly more services than parents of children without a CASA volunteer.
• In over 80 percent of cases, all or almost all of CASA volunteers’ recommendations to the Judge were accepted.

Another study, a large survey of judges in areas with CASA programs, found that:

• 97 percent of judges agree that children and families are better served because of CASA volunteer involvement.
• 97 percent agree than the personal knowledge that CASA volunteers have about children is beneficial to the judges’ decision-making.
• Judges particularly value volunteers’ ability to consider the best interests of children and monitor the case.

More rigorous studies, such as those that randomly assign children to a CASA volunteer or a control condition, would be invaluable to help better isolate and quantify the impact of CASA volunteers.

While CASA volunteers love their role and want to help children, we all wish that the CASA role wasn’t necessary. Stay tuned for an upcoming post on a great way to prevent abuse and neglect from happening in the first place – home visiting programs for new parents.

- Lindsay

CASA volunteers advocate for the best interests of many of these children in court. In Alexandria and Arlington, 77 volunteers served 177 children in 2012. Stay tuned for an upcoming post on how CASA volunteers can make a difference in the lives of abuse and neglected children.

• NEXT IN THE CASA ASKS SERIES: HOW CAN HOME VISITING PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT? Subscribe here to receive an email when posts are published.
• PREVIOUSLY IN THE CASA ASKS SERIES: WHAT DOES CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LOOK LIKE IN VIRGINIA?

Legislative Update: A letter (and video!) to SCAN from Senator Barbara Favola

This week we welcome Senator Barbara Favola to the blog! A longtime supporter of our issues and a SCAN Honorary Board Member, we’re thrilled that she’s giving us an important update following the end of Virginia’s legislation session last month.

Dear Friends,

The 2013 General Assembly legislative session ended last week and it was a whirlwind.  Senate Democrats held together and got a commitment from Governor McDonnell to participate in the Medicaid Expansion Program after certain reforms are in place.

Expanding Medicaid would enable up to 400,000 working Virginians gain access to health care coverage and this expansion would also create some 30,000 jobs.

The Governor’s commitment in this area helped me and 16 other Democrats vote for a comprehensive Transportation Funding Plan that wasn’t perfect but it was good.

Two of my foster care bills are on their way to the Governor’s desk.  One of these bills enables foster youth between the ages of 18 and 21 who are released from the Department of Juvenile Justice to access Independent Living Services.  The other is a joint resolution that directs the Department of Social Services to conduct a study on foster care and adoption assistance payments for individuals up to 21 years of age.  Federal dollars are available to fund extended subsidies but Virginia is not accessing these dollars.

Thank you for the advocacy that many of you demonstrated in support of my legislative efforts to protect children and families.  I look forward to providing you with periodic updates on Virginia’s participation in the Medicaid Expansion program.

Sincerely,

Barbara Favola
Senate of Virginia
31^st District
About Senator Favola:                       

Senator Barbara A. Favola represents Virginia’s 31st district, which includes parts of Arlington and Fairfax counties, and a portion of Loudoun County.

She served on the Arlington County Board for fourteen years (1997-2011) and chaired that body three times.  During her service with the County, Senator Favola was the Board’s leading advocate for children, youth and families, and her contributions to the community include establishing mental health services in the public schools.

Throughout her public life she has been a vigorous supporter of universal human rights.

In the Virginia Senate, Barbara is focusing her legislative efforts on public safety, women’s reproductive rights, health care expansion, K-12 education funding, social services, foster children and domestic violence issues.  She is also dedicated to environmental stewardship and maintaining the ban on uranium mining.  Senator Favola serves on Virginia’s Senate Local Government Committee, Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee, and Transportation Committee. She is now the Chair of the Women’s Reproductive Health Caucus. 

In 2012, Senator Favola was given a 100% rating from the Virginia League of Conservation Voters and NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia for her efforts during the legislative session to support the environment and women’s rights, respectively.  She also received the Virginia Peters Nonprofit Friend of the Year Award from the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND).  Senator Favola was appointed to the Executive Board of the Women’s Legislative Network of NCSL (National Conference of State Legislators) as the Democratic Representative for the Southern Region.

Senator Favola and her husband Douglas Weik have been residents of Arlington and the 31st district since 1982. Their son, Donald P. Weik, is a senior at George Mason University.

http://www.barbarafavola.org/