CareSource Partners with Georgia CASA to Improve the Lives of Children in Foster Care
Tuesday, December 19th, 2023
CareSource, a mission-driven Medicaid plan serving more than 450,000 Georgians, today announced a donation of $10,000 to support Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc. (Georgia CASA) and its mission to strengthen and support court-sanctioned, affiliate CASA programs in the state that empower community volunteers who advocate for abused or neglected children and contribute to advancements within the child welfare system.
“The CASA network ensures children and youth in foster care have a support system to advocate for their best interests and improve their lives while in foster care,” said Bobby Cagle, CareSource executive director of child welfare. “We are proud to support the work of CASA volunteers who serve each day to amplify a child’s voice and help them find safe and stable homes where they can thrive.”
CASA volunteers support children and families experiencing crisis. They advocate for safe and stable family reunification or an alternate, permanent home when family reunification is not possible. Children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to experience fewer foster placements, succeed in school, and receive physical and mental health services and educational support.
“We are grateful to Bobby and the CareSource team for their donation,” said Jennifer King, Georgia CASA executive director. “It takes a village to support our children and youth in foster care, and CareSource’s partnership will help us provide training and resources needed to improve the lives of children in Georgia.”
Currently, almost 7,200 Georgia children are waiting for a CASA volunteer to help amplify their voice and be a constant in their lives. Melissa, a former foster youth said, “Being in foster care is living in a constant state of flux. Everything is always changing, often without warning. The only constant was my CASA volunteer. Without her, I would have been lost in the system.”
During the past year, nearly 16,000 children came through foster care in Georgia, and 2,500 specially trained CASA volunteers helped advocate on their behalf. This past summer, a CASA affiliate program began in Henry County, bringing CASA services to all 159 counties in the state.
