SENATE RESOLUTION 28

(By Senators Rucker, Hamilton, Plymale, and Deeds)

[Introduced February 7, 2023]

Recognizing the essential role Court Appointed Special Advocates play in providing a voice to the abused and neglected children of West Virginia.

Whereas, Court Appointed Special Advocates, (CASA), in West Virginia is home to 10 local CASA programs that provide screened, trained, and qualified community volunteers to advocate in circuit courts for the best interests of the abused and neglected children and youth; and

Whereas, In 2022, 375 CASA statewide volunteers spoke up for over 1,600 children who suffered abuse or neglect in West Virginia. CASA practices best interest advocacy by meeting consistently with the children to know and understand them and their families. Talking with key people such as parents, caregivers, teachers, therapists, kin, and fictive kin; compiling and submitting factual and objective reports to judges; but most importantly, acting as the child’s voice in the courtroom during child protection cases; and

Whereas, CASA programs in West Virginia are driven by the guiding principle that "Children grow and develop best with their family of origin when that can be safely achieved". ; and

Whereas, The following quote is shared by CASA from a CASA served youth; "My CASA may not have even realized their impact on my life. They were someone I could talk to; someone I could trust. And…it’s these simple things that helped me to feel complete as a person".; and

Whereas, In 2022, CASA volunteers helped over 1,056 children and youth reach permanency through reunification, adoption, and legal guardianship; and

Whereas, CASA programs in West Virginia are reliant on the support of their communities, and each program is funded by community donations and by caring community members who donate their time helping children and families reclaim their Home among the Hills; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes the essential role Court Appointed Special Advocates play in providing a voice to the abused and neglected children of West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia CASA Association.