Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) has served children in Louisiana for over 25 years. State funding for CASA is a part of the Judicial Budget through the Louisiana Supreme Court.
The judicial budget was cut and the Louisiana Supreme Court has announced it will no longer be able to provide assistance and will remove CASA funding.
CASA of St. Landry-Evangeline is one out of 17 programs that are impacted.
“We are currently not meeting all our needs at CASA. We have about 50 percent of kids that are being serviced in St. Landry Parish. So there’s a need for more volunteers,” said Madelyn Rosette the Executive Director of CASA St. Landry-Evangeline.
In Evangeline Parish, only 25% of foster kids are being serviced.
“We have about 80 kids that are in foster care. In St. Landry Parish, it’s over 100,” she added.
With an increase in foster care, more advocates in court are needed.
“We are the bridge between the court system and that child getting the needs they need met,” said Shelby Santiago, the recruiter and trainer of CASA St. Landry-Evangeline.
Budget cuts can potentially slice staff in half, which advocates consider as the worst-case scenario for impoverished areas.
“You would see an increase in child fatalities. Well over 55 percent of the children that we serve in our local programs are between the ages 0-5,” said Santiago.
At that age, advocates said the trauma is hard to erase. They asking legislators to supplement the budget so CASA can expand its resources and continue to help save lives.
More than 4,000 children count on their CASA volunteers; 3,000 more children in foster care are waiting for a CASA.
CASA volunteers have changed, more often saved, the lives of vulnerable children, reduced the time spent in foster care, reducing the cost to the state, and ensuring productive futures for Louisiana’s children.
Judges rely on CASA volunteers in making life-changing decisions for children.
“Just so unfortunate when kids are in St. Landry Parish or of the Parish have to be placed in Orleans parishes of Shreveport area. So we’re just hoping for an increase of awareness through CASA,” Rosette added.
As the special session wraps up, Advocates are making their presence known at the capitol in hopes of a promising future for CASA.
To help inform the community of there services, CASA of St. Landry-Evangeline is holding its 9th annual Kids Benefit Banquet.
It is scheduled for Thursday, June 14 at the Opelousas Civic Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
