CASA volunteer helps siblings reunite with their mom

CASA/GAL volunteers provide best interest advocacy on behalf of children and youth who experience abuse or neglect. As they get to know the families and others engaged in the child’s life, CASA and GAL volunteers are able to identify and advocate for services or community resources that can support the whole family—in many cases helping parents get one step closer to reuniting with their children who have been removed from the home.

Aileen*, a volunteer with CASA of New Hampshire, was assigned to a case involving five siblings ages 5-17, whose mother was struggling with substance abuse. The children had been removed from their home, and as the CASA volunteer Aileen visited with the siblings in their new placement, she also got to know their mother. As the pandemic unfolded in 2020, Aileen continued her visits virtually, and gradually transitioned to socially distanced in-person visits with the siblings and their mother.

With ongoing support from Aileen, the social services professionals and constant encouragement of the New Hampshire Division of Children, Youth and Families, the mother was able to work on her recovery and demonstrate that she was completely committed to her sobriety. Thanks to Aileen’s dedicated advocacy and support for this family, the children were reunified with their mother. After the children were returned to their mother’s care, their CASA volunteer remained involved with many home visits and supported the family as the girls returned to school in the fall of 2020.

More CASA/GAL volunteers like Aileen are needed to advocate for children and families who are involved in the child welfare system. Learn how to become a CASA/GAL volunteer in your community.

*Names have been changed to protect privacy. Image is not of actual subjects.