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CASA Volunteers Provide Support to Foster Children in Washoe County

Right now in Washoe County, there are more than 900 children in foster care. When possible, these children are assigned a Court Appointed Special Advocate to provide them with support.

Our reporter Paul Boger spoke with judge Cynthia Lu to learn more about the CASA program and this continued need.

  • Only 1 in about 5 children in the foster care system in Washoe County are assigned a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
  • The CASA volunteers are individuals who provide support by helping a judge make decisions in the best interest of the kids. But most CASA volunteers also provide emotional support -- sometimes creating life-long bonds.
  •  A child with a CASA volunteer is more likely to…

             o   Find a safe and permanent home.
             o   Get more help in the system.

             o   Have a consistent and responsible adult presence.

             o   Spend less time in foster care.

             o   Not be bounced from home to home.

             o   Do better in school.

  • Since its inception, the Washoe County CASA Program has served over 5,000 children.

As a note of disclosure, the Washoe CASA Foundation is an underwriter for this station.

Paul Boger is a former reporter at KUNR Public Radio.
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