Going the Distance: How CASA Volunteers Bring Joy and Stability to Children Far from Home

This year over 450 young people from NWA will be spending the holidays away from friends, family, and all that is familiar to them. CASA volunteers consistently go the extra mile—both figuratively and literally—to be there for the children they serve. These volunteers bridge the physical and emotional gaps that often arise when kids are removed from home. And during a time of year that can be filled with an extra measure of joy, our CASA kids can also have an extra measure of heartache if they’re spending the holiday season far from home.

Every winter, an incredible network of support – CASA volunteers and staff, DHS personnel, sponsors, and generous individuals from the community – works behind the scenes to make sure that no matter where they are EVERY young person in our program will have some joy come Christmas Day.

Right now, these folks are already hard at work filling out wish lists, checking them twice, and scouring stores and shelves to make those Christmas wishes come true. And our CASA staff, volunteers, and partners at DHS are checking their tires, filling up their gas tanks, and cleaning out their trunks as they prepare to deliver Christmas gifts across the state.

Which begs the question: If all our CASA kids are from NWA, why are they living in places like Little Rock, Jonesboro, and Fordyce?

Why Are Kids Placed Outside of NWA?

We get this question a lot, and it’s a good one: Why are kids from NWA being moved across the state when they’re placed in foster care? The answer lies in how foster care is structured.

When children enter foster care, their case is tied to the county where they lived before being removed from their home. That county’s family court judge oversees the case, and CASA volunteers are typically assigned from that same county. However, where children live during their time in foster care is another story entirely.

Their placement depends on many factors such as:

• Family Availability: Are there relatives who can safely care for the child?
• Foster Home Openings: Are there foster families in the child’s home county willing and able to take them in?
• Specialized Needs: Does the child require a specialized placement tailored to their medical, mental health, or developmental needs?

For many kids, these variables mean they are placed outside their home county, sometimes in far corners of the state.

Staying Connected, No Matter the Distance

Regardless of where children in foster care end up living, their CASA volunteers remain a constant source of advocacy, encouragement, and support. These volunteers are often the only consistent adult presence in a child’s life, ensuring their needs are met and their voices heard, even when physical distance becomes a challenge.

Bringing Holiday Cheer Across the State

This commitment is especially meaningful during the holiday season. Thanks to the dedication of CASA staff and volunteers, partners at DHS, and generous community sponsors during the holiday season we organize and facilitate gift delivery for every young person living outside of NWA.

This year, we expect to make over 100 gift deliveries to at least 45 areas across Arkansas.

Picture Scott, a CASA since 2019, loading the back of his truck with gifts for 10 young people living around Ft Smith. Or Sheri, making the trip to Lexa to surprise her CASA kids with a Christmas visit and bags of holiday surprises. And Suzi, who has been with her CASA youth for just over a year and will be delivering gifts all the way in Fordyce.

Be Part of the Difference

Every mile driven, every visit arranged, every face lit up with joy and surprise, is powered by your support. By donating, you’re not just funding logistics—you’re creating life-changing moments of connection and stability for children who need it most.

This holiday season, consider giving the gift of advocacy, joy, and belonging to kids in foster care. Together, we can ensure no child feels too far away to be loved and supported.

The holiday season brings with it the joy of giving, and we hope you will join us in sharing that joy by sponsoring a young person through CASA’s Christmas for a Child. Children in foster care often face challenging circumstances, so thoughtful holiday gifts can make a huge difference in their lives. There are a few important factors to consider when selecting presents, as their needs and situations might differ from those of children in traditional family settings.

Here’s a guide to help you make the most of your holiday shopping for kids in foster care.

1. Practicality and Usability Matter

Many children in foster care move frequently, and large or bulky items can be difficult to transport. If possible, opt for gifts that are portable, versatile, and useful in different living situations. Items like backpacks, journals, or art supplies can be fun while also serving a practical purpose.

2. Avoid Gifts with Potential Emotional Triggers

Kids in foster care have experienced loss, separation, and trauma. While some gifts may seem harmless to most children, they might carry emotional triggers for a young person in foster care. For example, gifts that emphasize family dynamics, such as dolls representing a “traditional” family, or books about parents, could unintentionally bring up painful memories. Instead, opt for neutral or uplifting gifts that can be universally enjoyed.

3. Give Personalized Gifts

Children in foster care, like all kids, love to feel special and recognized. Personalized gifts can show them that you put thought into their present. Items like custom backpacks, blankets, or art supplies with their first name on them can go a long way in making them feel valued. Personalized gifts offer a sense of ownership, which can be particularly meaningful for children who may have moved homes frequently.

4. Be Sensitive to Their Current Living Situation

Not all foster children are placed in permanent homes. Some may be living in group settings, shelters, or transitional homes. When shopping, keep in mind that certain gifts may be better suited to their current situation. For instance, instead of gifting large electronics, consider giving something that can be easily packed, such as books, board games, or small tech gadgets like earbuds.

5. Include Gifts That Foster Connection

Young people in foster care often benefit from gifts that encourage connection and bonding. Group games or activities that they can do with foster siblings, caregivers, or friends can help foster a sense of community. Simple, classic games like Uno, Jenga, or card games can bring people together and create moments of joy.

6. Support Emotional Well-being

Children in foster care can benefit greatly from gifts that support their emotional well-being. Books that teach self-esteem, resilience, and mindfulness are great choices. Similarly, items like stress-relief toys, fidget tools, or sensory-friendly gifts can provide comfort and help them manage emotions, especially during times of transition.

7. Gift Cards: A Practical and Empowering Option

When in doubt, gift cards are always a thoughtful option. They allow children to pick out something they truly want or need, giving them a sense of empowerment and choice. A gift card to a popular store or online retailer is practical, versatile, and can provide joy long after the holidays are over.

If you would like to learn more about getting involved in celebrating our CASA kids during the holidays, visit https://www.nwacasa.org/donate/casa-christmas-for-a-child-2024/

“Reunifying children back with a parent is one of the best possible outcomes in dependency neglect cases because when that happens it means the parent has remedied the underlying issues and has shown that the child will be safe with that parent. CASA’s work creates an understanding of the child’s perspective and insight into what’s in the child’s best interest.  CASA volunteers work closely not only with the child, but also the parents, ad litems, DHS staff, counselors and others. This provides a unique and comprehensive look at these cases which is vital to the process of reunification.  CASA volunteers are invaluable to reunification!” – Honorable Judge Stacey Zimmerman

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Each June, we recognize National Reunification Month, and take some time to celebrate the individuals and organizations that are putting in the work to support, strengthen, and preserve families.

The case goal for nearly every family involved in a foster care case is to be reunified as soon as safely possible. Aligning with the 2020 National CASA/GAL Standards, we recognize that:

• It is in a child’s best interest to remain with their family of origin whenever possible
• Children experience trauma when separated from their family of origin
• If a child is removed from their family of origin, it is in the child’s best interest to be reunified with their family as soon as safely possible

Removing children from their families is, in its very nature, traumatizing. Removal causes trauma to children and to their parents, and this damage can impact a family system for generations. By being passionate advocates for safe and supported reunifications, we can help empower families to heal and reconnect.

CASA volunteers play an important role in supporting families to reunification by:

• Helping foster families and biological families connect and communicate to build trusting and positive partnerships.
• Assisting biological families as they access supportive services and increase family stability
• Advocating for opportunities for quality family time to maintain and build healthy connections between biological family members and their children.
• Exploring options for family placements and family contact. Family or kinship placements can minimize the trauma associated with removal from home, ease anxieties often associated with traditional foster placements, and maintain cultural ties for children.

CASA of Northwest Arkansas is proud to partner with families in the work of reunification. Every day, CASA volunteers find ways to support the biological family members on their cases. Whether by providing information about community resources, pushing for consistent and meaningful family time, or just being a listening ear to a parent in need, these volunteers believe deeply in the power of reconnection.

The work of reunification is hard. It requires a lot on the part of the family and those who are working to support the family. But when this hard work pans out, when children can be reunited with their families in a secure and loving environment, that makes all the effort worth it.

You can learn more about the impact of our volunteers here. 

Every year in April, you can find pinwheels throughout Northwest Arkansas (and across the nation!) spinning brightly in spring winds. These pinwheels, which often bring childhood innocence and playfulness to mind, are a national symbol for Child Abuse Prevention Month. During April, communities across the United States plant pinwheels as a reminder that child abuse and neglect are 100% preventable.

Strong and supported families are better equipped to care appropriately for children. Communities that are invested in ensuring that all families can thrive help stop child abuse and neglect before it even starts!

The Child Welfare Information Gateway has identified six protective factors that help families thrive:

1. Attachment and nurturing in relationships
2. Education about child/youth development and positive parenting practices
3. Parental resilience
4. Social connections
5. Concrete support for families
6. Positive social/emotional skills in children

CASA volunteers can play a vital role in helping the families that they serve thrive. CASA volunteers support not only the children on their cases but also the parents, grandparents, and

extended family members. CASA volunteers help connect children and families to community resources, find creative solutions to problems, and offer themselves as listening ears when needed.

As advocates for children who have already experienced abuse and neglect, CASA volunteers are committed to ensuring a consistent voice, safe home, and promising future for their CASA kids. Often, this is accomplished by supporting and working to equip families for successful reunification with their children. Setting families up for success is key to preventing future abuse and neglect.

This April, we invite you to get involved in National Child Abuse and Prevention Month by supporting our mission and work at CASA of NWA!

How can I get involved?

1. Register for a CASA 101 information session and learn more about becoming an advocate
2. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
3. Donate to CASA of Northwest Arkansas
4. Visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway to learn more about their approach to prevention

It’s February and love is in the air!

From boxes of chocolates and bouquets of roses to heart-shaped cards and handwritten notes, Valentine’s Day is here and it’s time to show our loved ones what they mean to us.

But as with many holidays, Valentine’s Day can be a tough one for children and young people in foster care. Holiday class parties can be a reminder that you aren’t living with your parents. Valentine’s exchanges can feel isolating if you’ve just moved to a new school and haven’t made any friends yet. Living in your own apartment for the first time can feel lonely if no one sends a note reminding you that you are cared for and loved.

During this day of love, we are so thankful for our thoughtful, committed, and kind volunteers. They not only advocate for the children on their cases in the courtroom but also take the time to show love to their CASA kids, on Valentine’s Day and every other day. 

• When Susan’s CASA youth moved into their first independent living apartment, Susan made sure to bring a Valentine’s gift to her regular monthly visit.
• When Jessi’s CASA youth was living in a shelter setting, Jessi scheduled a Valentine’s Day visit and brought a stuffed animal, candy, and a treat specific to her youth’s home country.
• Deborah visited with her CASA child and helped her decorate a box for her class’s Valentine’s Day party.
• Jan wrote and mailed Valentine’s cards to all three children on her case.

The role of a CASA can be a very personal one. Through monthly visits with children, and regular contact with family members, a CASA volunteer gets to know the people and facts involved in a way that may not be feasible for a caseworker or attorney who has a much higher caseload. Assigning a CASA to only one or two cases allows the CASA to invest more time and attention to the case and creates opportunities for them to support children and families in ways that are personal and meaningful – like remembering to celebrate them on Valentine’s Day.

This Valentine’s Day, if you are feeling the love for our CASA volunteers and the young people they serve we invite you to support them by:

1. Following us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
2. Visiting our website to learn more about the impact our volunteers have
3. Donating to CASA of NWA to help further our advocacy efforts
4. Attending a virtual CASA 101 to learn how YOU can become a CASA volunteer

Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.  – Steve Jobs 

We have the privilege to come alongside our volunteers in the life-changing, and world-changing, work they do with the children and families on their cases. This month, in honor of International Volunteers Day on December 5, we wanted to share some of the ways our volunteers are changing the world and some of the things our Advocate Supervisors are thankful for about their volunteers. 

Amanda Q. I love how our Carroll County advocates are supporting one another! Several advocates had such a fun time hanging out at the State CASA Conference that they started planning monthly dinners together. Each month they select a different restaurant to go to. They’ve said that they enjoy learning from one another, and being able to chat with others that understand what it’s like to work a case. There is a wealth of information among this group of advocates and it’s great that they get to share with one another!   

Kayla T. Robin S. went to visit her CASA kiddo in her placement and shopped for her before traveling. I thought it was creative and sweet that Robin coordinated with her CASA child’s therapist and the child to video chat while Robin walked through the store so her CASA child could have some input on the items she was receiving. 

Victoria B. An advocate I really appreciate right now is Shannon B. She continues to do such a great job on a complicated case involving language differences, challenges related to older youth, and cultural differences. Shannon has done a great job making sure the youth and family feel supported culturally and religiously, especially during the holiday season. Shannon has been a great voice for the teen on her case as well. She (the teen) can always count on her advocate, Shannon.   

Rachel R. I am very thankful for my advocates who step up to help our kids in need by taking on multiple cases. I know it can be a lot to juggle for them but ensuring that we are serving and supporting all our kids is our most important mission. I am very thankful that our CASA team and advocates ensure that our kids receive the consistency that every child deserves, and the opportunity to make beautiful, happy memories during a difficult transitional time in their lives.  

Genia M. Some of my cases have been really challenging so what has been motivating me and my advocates is that we are here for a reason and can only do what we can, but overall our goal is to ensure that the children’s well-being is being cared for and they have permanency.  

Ryan B. Heather W. and Sam S.A.  jumped right in with the family on their first case. They’re very engaged and I can tell they’re paying attention to the details. I watched them engage with both Mom and Dad at court this week, and they were kind and professional and gave great explanations of their roles.  

Statler K. My new volunteer, Cristen B., is assigned to a young man who is placed in a residential treatment facility and whose siblings are no longer a part of the case. Cristen visits him at least twice a week in his placement. I really think having someone to visit, bring him lunch, and ask him about his day is giving him something to look forward to.  

From CASA of NWA to every one of our volunteers: Thank you for your ongoing efforts to change the world through the work you do with children and families in our community!  

If you would like to learn more about how to create change in the life of a child through advocacy, click here!

October is here! It’s finally (and hopefully) time for cooler weather, corn mazes, pumpkin carving, warm drinks, and sleeping with the windows open. Additionally, the month of October offers several opportunities to celebrate diversity and bring awareness to issues of inclusion and equity in our community, with Indigenous People’s Day on October 9, National Coming Out Day on October 11, and the conclusion of Hispanic Heritage Month on October 15.

At CASA of Northwest Arkansas, we strive to have an advocate volunteer base that is not only reflective of the community we serve, but also conscious and compassionate of the difficulties different communities may face. We actively recruit volunteers who are representative of the children in our program, and are consistently seeking opportunities to train and educate ourselves and advocates in matters related to topics of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. We’d like to take a moment to recognize several of our staff and board members who presented an excellent training centered on these very topics.

Strategic Conversations: Communicating while Black, created and presented by CASA staff Eugenia Marks, Evan Jackson, and Kayla Tave, and CASA Board Member, Jerrilyn Dailey was delivered more as casual conversation than a formal training. Eugenia, Evan, and Kayla did an extraordinary job delving into a difficult topic and making attendees comfortable. This trio explored a variety of topics and tactics advocates can employ to build rapport with parents, children, and relatives on their case(s). In addition, they presented an enlightening perspective on how a family of different ethnic backgrounds may perceive the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the foster care system as opposed to their white counterparts.

The team discussed effective communication with Black families and prompted attendees to seek greater understanding regarding the history of race, power, privilege, and oppression while being mindful and self-reflective about personal biases. Effective communication is vital in building trust and understanding between advocates and the families they support, and this becomes even more crucial when dealing with families of different ethnic backgrounds.

The conversation delved into the importance of cultural humility, empathy, and active listening as essential elements of effective advocacy. By actively seeking to understand and validate the experiences of Black families, advocates can better serve their needs and help dismantle the barriers they encounter within the child welfare system. Eugenia, Evan, and Kayla also discussed proper ways of referring to African American families – ensuring that it is okay to say Black people. They explained how breaking down social constructs and labels can be powerful in understanding Black culture and family dynamics.

Beyond just understanding the challenges, the conversation also aimed to provide actionable steps that advocates can take to become better allies and advocates for Black families. By nurturing an environment of open dialogue, fostering cultural sensitivity, and ensuring representation, advocates can play a pivotal role in promoting positive change.

As advocates implement the insights gained from this conversation, our hope is that the child welfare system becomes more equitable, understanding, and responsive to the needs of all families, regardless of their background.

— Eugenia Marks, Kayla Tave

*CASA of Northwest Arkansas does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, selection of volunteers and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all volunteers and clients, children, parents or other family members and foster parents.