Amid surge in kids entering Fairfax. Co child welfare system, nonprofit seeks volunteers – WTOP News
Amid surge in kids entering Fairfax. Co child welfare system ... WTOP
sdgtalks
A Dramatic Increase in Child Welfare Cases in Fairfax County
A dramatic increase in kids entering the child welfare system in Fairfax County, Virginia, has led a nonprofit organization to ask for volunteers — especially those who identify as Black, Hispanic and Spanish speaking.
Increasing Need for Services
More than 230 kids entered the county’s child welfare system between July 2022 and June 2023 — a 138% increase from the group’s last fiscal year, according to a Friday news release from Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates.
The nonprofit expects this need for services to keep growing. Darcy Hubbard, the group’s executive director, said other local agencies and the county’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court agree “all of our systems are overwhelmed and that families in our community are in crisis.”
Challenges Faced by Families
“I think it is fair to say that we are all a bit different coming out of the COVID lockdown, than when we went in,” Hubbard said. “The families we work with were hit the hardest and continue to struggle with a myriad of issues including financial challenges, mental health challenges and substance abuse issues.”
Role of Volunteers
The organization’s volunteers are each assigned to work with a child in the system. Responsibilities include visiting the child at least twice a month, attending all of the child’s hearings and meetings and writing reports for the court.
Children who have a volunteer advocate by their side have better outcomes in finding permanent homes, see a reduced risk of reentry into the system due to re-abuse or delinquency and receive more services to meet their individual needs, according to the nonprofit.
Having an advocate gives children “a sense of security and predictability” in an otherwise uncertain time, said Alexis Shield, the organization’s manager of volunteer recruitment.
Importance of Diversity in Volunteers
The nonprofit said that the program especially needs Black, Latino and Spanish-speaking volunteers. Hubbard said in the news release that, while the existing CASAs are “exceptional,” the group needs “a volunteer pool that is reflective of the children and families we serve.”
“Our children are thrust into a complicated and scary system, and they deserve an advocate who walks into the room on day one, who looks like them, understands their culture and background, and who speaks their language,” Hubbard said. “That is the least we can do for our kids.”
Currently, 41% of kids working with the nonprofit are Hispanic/Latino, and 38% are Black.
Seventy-five percent of the more than 60 kids on the waitlist for a CASA are children of color, according to the organization.
“Research has shown that when children have a CASA who looks like them, and who they can culturally connect with, or who can speak their language, they’re better served, they’re better supported and overall, they receive better advocacy,” said Shield in the news release.
Become an Advocate
Anybody interested in learning more about becoming an advocate can email Shield at ashield@casafairfax.org. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old.
Conclusion
The increase in child welfare cases in Fairfax County highlights the urgent need for volunteers to support vulnerable children. By becoming advocates, volunteers can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting quality education (Goal 4), reducing inequalities (Goal 10), and fostering partnerships for the goals (Goal 17). It is crucial to have a diverse pool of volunteers that reflects the children and families being served, ensuring cultural understanding and effective advocacy. Together, we can provide a sense of security and stability for these children during these challenging times.
References:
Contact Information:
- Alexis Shield, Manager of Volunteer Recruitment
- Email: ashield@casafairfax.org
Newsletter Signup:
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
Disclaimer:
This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
-
SDG 1: No Poverty
- Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
- Indicator: Increase in the number of children entering the child welfare system in Fairfax County, Virginia.
-
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- Indicator: Increase in mental health challenges and substance abuse issues among families in the community.
-
SDG 4: Quality Education
- Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
- Indicator: Increase in the number of children in need of services in the child welfare system.
-
SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
- Indicator: Need for Black, Latino, and Spanish-speaking volunteers to better serve children and families in the child welfare system.
-
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
- Indicator: Disproportionate representation of children of color in the child welfare system and on the waitlist for a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable. | Increase in the number of children entering the child welfare system in Fairfax County, Virginia. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | Increase in mental health challenges and substance abuse issues among families in the community. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. | Increase in the number of children in need of services in the child welfare system. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life. | Need for Black, Latino, and Spanish-speaking volunteers to better serve children and families in the child welfare system. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | Disproportionate representation of children of color in the child welfare system and on the waitlist for a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: wtop.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
