Advocates - CASA New Orleans

Effective advocacy for vulnerable children and families can be difficult, but during the Coronavirus/Covid-19 national health crisis, the need for good, vetted information becomes even more critical.

New Orleans, Coronavirus, COVID-19, covid19, dcfs, children, families

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Advocates

Dear Advocates,

Take care of yourself and your own families. Please, check in on your CASA kids and their families. Make sure that they are prepared and have food, soap, diapers, and medications. Ask them to keep in touch with any changes, especially if someone in the home is not feeling well. If your child is not excited to spend time out of school, talk about why they feel better than in their placement. Be sure to use all of the tips for talking to kids that we have put here, and check your email for updates from our CASA staff.

If you have video chat capability (FaceTime, Google Hangouts, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc.) that is preferable since you still are “face-to-face” just not in-person. If that is not something that you or the person you are contacting can do, a phone call is sufficient. Document in your case notes if it was face-to-face (and how) or a call. A copy of the Governor’s emergency declaration as well as the official program statement has been added as documentation in every active case file.

We know that connection builds resilience, but that often you are the only consistent adult for a child who has an already tumultuous life in foster care. Thank you for being that caring, competent adult in your CASA kid’s life, and for the work you do to connect them to others in the community. That work is harder now, but even more necessary. Let us know how we can support you as you advocate for them.

With gratitude,
Joy

Joy M. Bruce
Executive Director
CASA New Orleans