Bill Text: WV SR20 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Recognizing essential role of CASA for abused and neglected children
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-01 - Completed legislative action [SR20 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2024-SR20-Introduced.html
SENATE RESOLUTION 20
(By Senator Rucker)
[Introduced January 31, 2024]
Recognizing Court Appointed Special Advocates and the essential role they play in representing the best interests of children involved in child abuse and/or neglect proceedings.
Whereas, Court Appointed Special Advocates, (CASA), in West Virginia house 10 local CASA programs that provide screened, trained, and qualified community volunteers to advocate in circuit courts for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. These advocates are committed to improving the lives of children; and
Whereas, In 2023, 422 CASA volunteers statewide contributed over 17,000 volunteer hours for over 7,227 children who suffered abuse or neglect in West Virginia. CASA practices best interest advocacy by meeting consistently with the children to know and understand them, their family, and their current circumstances; by connecting with key people in the family’s life such as their parents, caregivers, teachers, therapists, kin, and fictive kin; collaborating with Child Protective Services (CPS) and Guardians ad Litem (GALs), compiling and submitting factual and objective reports to judges; but most importantly, acting as the child’s voice in the courtroom during child protection cases; and
Whereas, CASA programs in West Virginia are driven by the guiding principle that “Children grow and develop best with their family of origin when that can be safely achieved.”; and
Whereas, The following quote is shared by a now young adult who was positively impacted by their CASA as a youth growing up in West Virginia’s foster care system; " My CASA may not have even realized their impact on my life. They were someone I could talk to; someone I could trust.” And “…it’s these simple things that helped me to feel complete as a person.”; and
Whereas, In FY23, CASA volunteers were instrumental in identifying permanent solutions for over 1,057 children and youth who exited the state’s foster care system. Permanency was achieved for these children through reunification (56 percent), adoption (27 percent), and legal guardianship (15 percent); and
Whereas, CASA programs in West Virginia are reliant on the support of their communities, and each program is funded by community donations and by caring community members who donate their time helping children and families reclaim their “Home among the Hills”; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby recognizes Court Appointed Special Advocates and the essential role they play in representing the best interests of children involved in child abuse and/or neglect proceedings; and be it
Further Resolved, That the Senate hereby recognizes the essential role Court Appointed Special Advocates play in providing a voice to the abused and neglected children of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia CASA Association.
