“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story,” said Josh Ship, Youth Advocate and Speaker, who learned this from his own personal journey. A 2015 report by Harvard University’s Center on the Developing Child confirms that truth. Sometimes, for some children, a CASA is that one caring adult.
A CASA’s role runs the gamut from investigator and reporter to defender and head cheerleader, depending on whether the child needs protection or an extra boost to accomplish a goal, make a decision or try something new.
National CASA research suggests that children with CASA support are more likely to pass their academic courses and less likely to have poor conduct in school or be expelled. All of this points them toward success in life, which can be championed by the caring advocacy and watchful eye of a volunteer CASA.
According to the Harvard study referenced above, every child who winds up doing well has had at least one stable and committed rela¬tionship with a supportive adult. That’s powerful. That’s CASA.
Whether the child needs academic or social support to address learning disabilities, specialized health care for a medical or mental health condition or intervention to ensure safe living and learning environments, the CASA is there to help inform the Judge and caseworkers of those needs and ensure the child gets the right services for success.
CASAs can also help identify enrichment opportunities—athletics, clubs, performing arts—that can help the child with experiential learning and exploring new things that may lead to success in life.
Most of all, CASAs help their kiddos succeed by simply showing up—consistently, intentionally, voluntarily—every month, every year, every opportunity until the case is closed. And often beyond.
For Ed Kach, being intentional and deliberate about encouraging the success of his CASA children is a priority—whether their case is active or closed. “These kids still mean a lot to me, and I want them to always know I care and continue to believe in them,” he affirmed.