September Advocacy Tip

Every month CASA publishes an "Advocacy Tip" to give Advocates the chance to earn 1 Hour of Ongoing Training Credit. Take the quiz at the bottom to earn your credit!

Educational Advocacy


As summer break comes to an end and the focus shifts to returning to school with buying new clothes, getting school supplies, and catching up with school friends, it’s natural for kids to get excited for the start of a new year. While children in foster care might also feel the excitement, there is a high probability that returning to school could be met with anxiety, which is very understandable. Part of an advocate’s role is to assist in this transition and to advocate to ensure the child’s educational needs are met.


The CASA advocate has the right to review a child’s educational data, communicate with school staff, and attend educational meetings. In your advocacy role, be proactive by building a strong positive rapport with the child’s school.   Below are some ways to help foster a positive relationship:

·       Contact the school (school counselor, teacher, principal).

·       Send an introductory email to introduce oneself and to explain CASA’s role in the child’s education.

·       Schedule a time to visit the school and meet with the teacher and with other school staff to meet in person and possibly visit with the child.

·       Provide a copy of the Court Order and a copy of your CASA badge. 

·       Visit the school and meet with teacher and any other staff member that is involved in the child’s education. Restate your role and offer how you can support the child in their education. 

·       Advise that you would like to attend all educational meetings such as 504s and ARD’s.

·       Communicate any behavioral triggers that would help the staff best know how to address the child to provide the best outcome.

·       Maintain ongoing contact with school staff and report any concerns that you might have.

Regular contact with school personnel is important to ensure the child is progressing in their academics and if concerns arise then these can be addressed as needed.


Advocates are very important members of the child’s educational team. Some caregivers may be kinship family members that have not been involved in the school system for years and some foster parents may not have experience in working with the school system. CASA advocates can guide these individuals within the system and help ensure that all the child’s needs are being met while in care.

Advocacy Tip Quiz

By bfines March 21, 2025
 In December 2023, CPS received a Priority One referral regarding a 2-year-old child named Katherine, who had been hospitalized after ingesting narcotics. Her mother, Jessica, admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamines at the time. Katherine later tested positive for amphetamines, prompting the Department to seek removal of both Katherine and her 4-year-old sister, Valerie. Their maternal grandmother expressed willingness to care for them but only if CPS became involved. CASA advocate Alfredo Concha was appointed to the case and immediately took action. He contacted the grandparents and met with the children. During that visit, he learned that while the grandparents were willing to provide temporary care, they could not commit beyond December 2024. They had already adopted the girls' older sibling, which kept them busy, and as elderly caregivers, they felt unable to raise two young children long-term. They made it clear—either Jessica would have to get her life back on track by December, or the girls would need another placement. Understanding the urgency, Alfredo used Collaborative Family Engagement tools to seek additional family members who could offer support. He built a strong working relationship with Jessica, which proved invaluable. Through collaboration with Jessica, the grandparents, CPS, and the children's attorney, Alfredo identified and addressed barriers to reunification. A primary concern was Jessica’s history of substance abuse and the risk of relapse. After completing inpatient drug treatment, Jessica chose to move in with her ex-boyfriend, Robert, and his mother, Marie. Given Robert’s history of substance abuse and their previously volatile relationship, Alfredo recommended that Robert participate in services to strengthen their family dynamic. This included undergoing a substance abuse assessment, engaging in treatment, and completing a domestic violence prevention program. Alfredo also ensured Robert and Marie were included in planning meetings. During one of these meetings, Marie expressed her willingness to take in the children and committed to caring for them regardless of Jessica and Robert’s relationship. With this new support system in place, the girls were able to return to Jessica on December 3, 2024. CPS and Alfredo closely monitored the placement for several weeks to ensure stability. By January 2025, Alfredo recommended case closure, allowing the family to move forward with their lives. During the final hearing, Jessica addressed the court, expressing her gratitude. She stated that without the support of CPS and Alfredo, she would not have been able to succeed.
By bfines March 21, 2025
Larry Rushing
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