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CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN

Our children are our future. Join our campaign to invest in our children and our future.

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CASA serves the entire community through service to these children. CASA is a voice in the Court that ensures representation of the child’s best interest. Through advocacy for the children, we also advocate for families. CASA monitors cases for compliance of court ordered services and through this process it is our hope to see an outcome of fully functioning families in the community.

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Each year nearly 800,000 children are confirmed victims of abuse

or neglect in the U.S. The threat grows during times of economic downturn.

THE CRISIS

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At any one time, more than 500,000 kids are in foster care because they cannot live safely with their families.

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In an overburdened social welfare system, abused

and neglected children often slip through the cracks. On average,

a foster kid will remain in the system for 3 years.The Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care

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On average, a child is moved at least 3 times while in foster care—often more. National Children’s Law Network

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Foster kids typically attend 9 different schools by age 18.National Children’s Law Network

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homelessincarcerated

A recent study found children who suffer abuse are 50 percent more likely to engage in many types of crime. Does Child Abuse Cause Crime?, Janet Currie & Erdal Tekin, National Bureau of Economic Research, 2007

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unemployeddropout

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A CASA volunteer and a safe, permanent home for every child in foster care.

successful

career safe homeproductive

member of

society

high school

graduate

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It can be different…

THE CASA SOLUTION

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CASA volunteers do what no one else doesThey donate their time to act as the independent eyes and ears of the court, investigate in the field, and speak solely in the interest of the child.

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CASA volunteers are more than mentors• They are sworn officers of the court• They work with the most severe cases of abuse and neglect• They complete independent investigations• They act as facilitators between the family , the court and service

providers• They monitor kids’ health and education• They submit recommendations and are effective in identifying the

needs of children and parents

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95 percent of kids with a CASA volunteer stay out of long-term foster care. 90 percent of kids with a CASA volunteer do not re-enter the child welfare system. Kids with CASA volunteers are more likely to be adopted.

When a CASA volunteer was involved, both children and their parents were ordered by the courts to receive more services. It is indicated that “CASA is effective in identifying the needs of children and parents.”

Cases involving a CASA volunteer are more likely to be permanently closed than cases where a CASA volunteer is not involved. Only 1.4% of children with a CASA volunteer reenter the CWS (CASA Data Request). This is in contrast to 16% for children not served by a volunteer.

CASA VOLUNTEERS = A PROVEN SOLUTIONCASA VOLUNTEERS = A PROVEN SOLUTION

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CASA Volunteers Provide Exponential Return on Investment

MEASURABLE BENEFIT TO ONE CHILD SAVINGS TO SOCIETY

ONE MONTH SHORTER STAY IN FOSTER CARE $3,500 per child

FEWER FOSTER PLACEMENTS = NOT FALLING BEHIND A GRADE IN SCHOOL $7,000 per child

PREVENTING RECCURRENCE OF ABUSE $30,000-$125,000 per child

PREVENTING JUVENILE DELINQUENCY $50,000 OR MORE per child

ANNUAL NATIONAL COST OF CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT = $104 BILLION

The National Center on Child Abuse Prevention Research, 2007; Victims Costs and Consequences, National Institute of Justice, 1996

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CASA Volunteers Provide Exponential Return on Investment

ANNUAL NATIONAL COST OF CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT $104 BILLION

The National Center on Child Abuse Prevention Research, 2007; Victims Costs and Consequences, National Institute of Justice, 1996

On average, a CASA can shorten a child’s length of time in temporary care by 3 MONTHS

If CASA shortened the length for every child by just one month, it would realize a savings of $8.6 BILLION

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CASA Volunteers = Cost-Effective SolutionNATIONAL CASA 2009 PROGRAM SURVEY

$1,000 investment

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To give a child a CASA is to give them a voice.To give them a voice is to give them hope.To give them hope is to give them the world.

Current Site local program SURVEY

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In 2009, Kentucky led the nation in the number of child abuse related fatalities.It is reported that every minute in Kentucky, two children are victims of abuse and/or neglect.Kentucky is one of the few states that do not allow funding for CASA in the state budget.

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The Challenge: Critical Shortage of CASA/GAL Volunteers

More than half of the 500,000 kids in foster care do not have a CASA volunteer whose sole purpose is to advocate for their best interest.

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Every child has the basic human right of a safe and permanent home- free from abuse and

violence

Provide children and families with access to more resources, creating opportunities for development

of character and alternative possibilities in life

Promote healthy family relationships and break the generational cycle of abuse and poverty

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While CASA of Northeast Kentucky, Inc. is a volunteer organization, it is mandated by national and state regulations. CASA MUST have one employee to supervise every 30 volunteers- and that employee must have NO OTHER DUTIES.

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CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDRENThank you for your consideration. For additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact:Carol Adams606.739.2177caroladams@casaofnortheastky.org