CASA for Douglas County needs more Black & African American individuals to serve Black & African American children impacted by the child welfare system
Black/African American children make up 13% of Douglas County’s child population but account for 41% of children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. Only 5% of Douglas County CASA Advocates are Black/African American.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Douglas County serves children and families of all cultures, abilities, identities, and backgrounds. We are committed to our goal of amplifying the voices of all children impacted by the child welfare system and providing each child with the highest level of advocacy.
To meet this goal, we strive to recruit CASA Volunteer Advocates of diverse backgrounds. It is important for us to not only represent the children we serve but also to ensure the children have someone they can relate to and identify with.
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Children and families of color are disproportionately represented in the child welfare system in Nebraska and nationwide. We work diligently to ensure all of our Volunteer Advocates are trained, prepared, and equipped to work with any child. We recognize the importance of CASAs who look like the child and can speak with them directly about their culture and experiences.
In order for CASA Volunteer Advocates to amplify a child’s voice and speak up for their best interests, they must have a strong, trusting, positive relationship with the child. Black/African American children are more likely to form a deeper relationship with CASAs who have been through similar life experiences and are comfortable having conversations with them about issues unique to their racial and ethnic identity.
Read our blog about the importance of representation within the child welfare system.
Sources: Children, Black/African American | KIDS COUNT Data Center, Kids Count County Data – Voices for Children, Foster Care Review Office (nebraska.gov).
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