Exciting News For Passaic and Union Counties

Dear Friends, 

I am writing to officially share with you some exciting news about the Court Appointed Special Advocacy programs in Passaic and Union counties. Effective immediately, Passaic County CASA has expanded its geographic reach and will now provide Advocacy services to children in Union County under the new program banner of CASA of Passaic and Union Counties. 

After seven months of Passaic County CASA assisting and supporting the former CASA of Union County staff and volunteers, and in collaboration with National CASA, CASA of NJ, and the NJ Administrative Office of the Courts, it has been determined that this expansion is the best long-term structure for the children of Union County. We are privileged to be entrusted with this responsibility and honored to work to increase CASA's positive impact for vulnerable youth in Union County.

Within the last month we have hired four employees, formerly staff of CASA of Union County, to join our team. We are aware of the challenge before us, most urgently the almost 300 children in Union County who need a CASA volunteer as quickly as possible. Together we remain focused on fulfilling CASA’s mission: quality advocacy, continuity of presence, and increased access to services for abused and neglected children in both Union and Passaic counties.  

A physical office will be maintained in Union County as a satellite to the office in Wayne, and we will continue to make strides toward fully unifying services and practices across both counties. We look forward to driving a strengthened, multi-county program that positively impacts the life trajectories of vulnerable children in foster care. We are grateful for your support and patience as we navigate the changes sure to come.  

We will, of course, share developments as they are finalized and the organization continues to evolve. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Thank you in advance for your support, 

Erica Fischer-Kaslander
Executive Director

Meet Anne Bristow, CASA Volunteer in Union County

When Anne first met June, her CASA youth, June was 14 years old. June readily admits she was, “a bratty teenager who was afraid. I backed away, didn’t want to give Miss Anne a chance. I was sure she was just another person going to disappoint me, hurt me, and fail me.”

Spoiler Alert: Next month, June turns 21, her case will close, her time in foster care will end and the court order that’s empowered Anne as her advocate for nearly 7 years, will be null and void. But their relationship? That endures.

“She changed me,” shares June. “Miss Anne is the best thing to happen to me and I love her. She’s always been on my side, and always honest with me. I really was a negative person but she changed that. I’m so positive now. I tell her often, ‘If I didn’t have you, I don’t know where I’d be.’ ”

Advocacy Great and Small

The years leading up to now were hard-fought. For Anne, the toughest part was navigating the complexities of the child welfare system, and the state’s anti-discrimination laws for LGBTQIA+ youth, all to ensure June had safe and appropriate housing.

Today, the pair talk every couple days, text in between and see one another often. Says June, “Anne’s just part of my life now. There were many birthdays I was alone, until I wasn’t – because Miss Anne would be there. She remembers things others don’t and reaches out to celebrate them with me.

Even smaller-scale acts of advocacy are big wins to June. “I had been afraid to do things or say things, and I couldn’t tell anyone. But not with Miss Anne. I can tell her anything and we figure it out. I have learning disabilities and she’s even helped me send emails and make phone calls. There were times I would just shut down, but now I can express what I’m feeling.”

Becoming an Advocate

Anne began looking for volunteering opportunities after seeing her two sons off to college. After learning the role of a CASA volunteer and its value for vulnerable children living in foster care, she knew becoming an advocate was for her. And, she jokes, she’d already been honing her skills and didn’t know it. 

“Being a parent is on the job training and that’s where I learned the importance of advocacy,” says Anne. “For my own kids, it was educational and medical advocacy. I realized that effective advocacy for a CASA youth is what I’d been doing for my own children for many years!”

As an advocate, she says, “I’ve learned the value of being patient and looking at things from my youth’s perspective. I’ve become more aware and understanding of significant hurdles parents face: lack of resources, mental health issues, substance use disorder, and lack of housing.” She adds, “Most parents want the best for their children and need help and access to resources that CASA volunteers can help provide.” 

For those on the fence about becoming a CASA volunteer, unsure they can do it, Anne’s answer is simple: “I tell people I don’t have any legal or medical training but I do have a naturally curious mind, and I am a strong communicator. I am a good listener and I ask questions; those are two essential skills.”

Says Jill Rebeor, Anne's supervisor, “Anne has gone above and beyond in advocating for her CASA youth. In addition to remaining connected, her case notes are always up to date, she submits court reports in a timely manner, and even stays in contact with her supervisor when away. In the last six months alone, Anne's spent 115 hours on her case and I'm sure she’s not accounting for all her time! Her dedication is very much appreciated.”  

The Road Ahead

June reflects, “I was a kid when I met Miss Anne. It’s cool to have someone watch me grow as a person. Do I wish my parents had? Sure, but sometimes you don’t get everything in life. I’m proud of Miss Anne for putting up with me and sticking it out. I feel like she’s been the only person. She’s my emergency contact. She’s the person who will be there to answer my call.” 

There’s a saying about all endings also being new beginnings. We can’t wait to see what this next chapter brings for June as she ventures out and forges onward. Admitting she doesn’t know just what her future holds, of this she is certain: “I know Miss Anne will be there to see me keep growing.”

Shay Connolly, CASA Volunteer of the Month, September 2023!

Shay has been a CASA for a year, and is our CASA Volunteer of the Month for September 2023! Congratulations Shay! 

“When I first started as a CASA”, says Shay, “I met with my Advocacy Supervisor, and she made me feel very comfortable. We got on well. She was very clear, concise, and I could tell she got it. She didn’t over-explain. I appreciated that.”

“When I met the child, I could see how much damage had been done to him. His biological parents were not equipped to be parents, they had not nurtured him, he was neglected, and in many ways they had scapegoated him for problems in their lives and had grounded him in fantasy. He had never had a reliable adult in his life.”

So Shay began to work the role of a CASA, visiting the child every month, making sure to be a constant person in his life that would be reliable, that would be there, and would speak up for his best interest. "Shay was an incredibly supportive CASA,” says Gina Cetta, Shay’s Advocacy Case Supervisor, “She attended every meeting and event for her CASA child, including his middle school graduation and his Benchmark Hearing. She really was his biggest advocate."

“I did everything that I said I would do,” says Shay, “If I said to him that I would be there at a particular time, I was there. If I told him I would do something, I made sure I did.” Shay would visit the child, and she would listen to him, listen to what he needed and what was missing in his life. “There were so many people telling him things, telling him what to do, and he wasn’t able to process it all. So I listened – and he opened up.”

Shay learned that the child could not read. “He said, ‘I’m in grade 8, how can I not read?’ – so we made sure he got a tutor, and a reading specialist.”

“For Christmas and birthdays, he just wanted Roblox cards.” says Shay. “I didn’t know what that was, but I know now! CASA got him what he wanted and he had such absolute joy opening his gifts!”

The child began to thrive in his resource home, and in little more than a year, the case closed – the child achieved permanency via Kinship Legal Guardianship. Shay says, “As a CASA, you can get attached, so for me the case was over too quick! But not for him, he wanted to have a permanent home, he’s in the best place now, and I know he’s going to be OK.” 

Thank you Shay for being a CASA!

Embracing the Power of Community: A View from the Board of Passaic County CASA

THE SPARK 

It started as a cold call to the CASA office. It was 2014, and I was completing my Master’s degree. The assignment was to partner with an organization and craft a strategic communications plan. 

After meeting with Executive Director, Erica Fischer-Kaslander, I knew I wanted to contribute to the mission. Her dedication and leadership was — and still is palpable. Then, her team was smaller, but relentless in their support of children in foster care. 

I designed the plan. Presented it. Then, stepped away for just enough time to realize I needed to do more.  Once you know the impact of CASA - you can’t look away. You have to find a way to help. 

For me, it was a slow build. I started volunteering to help with events and then eventually, I joined the Board. 

It was the pandemic lockdown in 2020 when the Board changed leadership, and I took over as President. CASA’s staff and volunteers never wavered. They leaned in and reimagined how to support the children who desperately needed CASA support. 

BUILDING MOMENTUM 

Today, I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude as I reflect on my journey on the Board. Joining this incredible organization has been nothing short of life-changing, and I am humbled by the immense impact we have made on the lives of vulnerable children in our community.

From the moment I stepped into this role, I knew that I had embarked on a path that would not only challenge me, but also ignite a fire within my soul. I had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the transformative power of CASA volunteers, who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to ensuring that every child has a safe and loving home.

Passaic County CASA has become a beacon of hope for the children who have endured unimaginable adversity, providing them with a voice when they need it most. The dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to navigate the intricate web of the child welfare system, advocating for the best interests of each child they serve. Through their unwavering commitment, they forge deep connections, lending a supportive hand and listening ear to children who have experienced trauma.

As a Board Member and most recently as Board President, I have witnessed the profound effect our organization has had on both the children and the volunteers. Children, who may have felt invisible and unheard, are now empowered to believe in their own worth and potential. Volunteers, who came to us seeking purpose and meaning, have found a deeper sense of fulfilment through their service.

But our work is not done. There are still children in our community who yearn for stability, love, and a chance at a brighter future. It is our responsibility to continue spreading awareness, to advocate for policy changes, and to recruit more volunteers who are willing to become the voice for those who have been silenced. 

BECOMING TRUSTED ADVISORS 

Being on the Board of Trustees for Passaic County CASA is an incredible opportunity to support the mission and make a lasting impact in the lives of vulnerable children. As a member of this esteemed board, we serve as trusted advisors. We help raise awareness and funding, and we provide strategic guidance as the organization grows. We also connect with other community leaders, as well as our networks to ensure the sustainability of CASA’s life-changing programs.

Imagine the profound difference you can make by ensuring that every child in our community has a safe and loving environment to grow up in. By lending your expertise, insights, and networks, you can help create a strong foundation for their future success and the success of the organization. 

But perhaps the most rewarding aspect of being on the Board of Trustees for Passaic County CASA is the joy and fulfilment that comes from witnessing the transformation in the lives of the children. Your actions, your dedication, and your commitment can give them a chance at a brighter future, a future filled with love, stability, and endless possibilities.

HEARTS OF GRATITUDE 

To all those who have supported Passaic County CASA along this incredible journey, I extend my deepest gratitude. Your belief in our mission has fuelled our determination to create lasting change. Whether it is through financial contributions, volunteerism, or simply spreading the word about our cause, your support has made an immeasurable difference in the lives of these children.

To those considering joining our ranks as volunteers or supporters, I encourage you to take the leap of faith. Embracing the opportunity to become a part of Passaic County CASA will not only change the lives of those we serve, it will undoubtedly transform your own life as well. Together, we can help create a community where every child is afforded the chance to thrive and reach their full potential. 

To learn more about joining the board email Erica@passaiccountycasa.org

Click here to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer attend an upcoming Volunteer Information Session

Special Education Services Refresher

School days are approaching and we at Passaic County CASA want to make sure that all of the children we serve—including children ages 3-5—receive the special education services for which they may be eligible. Here is a quick refresher!

Ages 0-3:

All infants and toddlers in the NJ foster care system are entitled to be evaluated for Early Intervention services (EIS). Infants may have developmental delays in swallowing, eye tracking, rolling over, or making sounds. Older infants and toddlers may show delays in walking, running, speech/language development, and in social/adaptive living skills.

DCP&P typically makes a request for the Early Intervention evaluation, with the biological parent’s consent. If the child is deemed eligible, Early Intervention services take place in the home or at the child’s day care center.

Even if an infant or toddler is evaluated before age 12 months and was found ineligible for services at that time, a request for another evaluation by EIS can be made at any time.

Ages 3-5:

As a child approaches age 3, you as a CASA might suspect developmental delays in that child, whether or not the child had received Early Intervention services.

The child may now be eligible for special education and related services (e.g., speech/language therapy). The evaluation and eligibility determination would be completed by the Child Study Team (CST) through the child’s home school district. If eligible, the 3 to 5 year-old would likely participate in a program several hours a week, either at a public school or at an approved day care center.

How can you as a CASA assist in initiating a Child Study Team evaluation?

• Begin with the steps below, ideally as the child reaches age 2 ½.

• Speak with your Advocacy Supervisor who can guide you on how to approach DCP&P, the resource parent, and the biological parents.

• Connect with the DCP&P caseworker, resource parent, biological parent, and law guardian to share perspectives on the child’s development.

• Describe to the biological parents what the evaluation procedure is. Emphasize that it takes place at a school and that it is an educational evaluation, not a medical evaluation. The DCP&P caseworker can then coordinate with the parents to make a request for a Child Study Team evaluation.