About Us
Every child needs and deserves a safe, permanent home with a nurturing and loving family!!
In Garland County, this is a dream NOT a reality. Garland County ranks among the worst in the state in per-capita rates of child abuse and neglect. Statistics show that in 2007, there were 319 victims of child maltreatment in Garland County.
Our vision is to provide a volunteer advocate for every child placed in foster care due to abuse and neglect.
When faced with the enormity of the need, most of us want to know: "What would it take to provide every abused or neglected child with a volunteer advocate?"
We will need to increase the number of CASA volunteer advocates to accomplish this vision. Garland County CASA recruits, trains, and supports volunteers who advocate for abused and neglected children. In FY 09, 60 volunteers advocated for approximately 300 children. Despite these numbers, we are able to provide advocacy for only about 60% of the children who are in need.
Advocacy by CASA volunteers is an investment that yields huge savings to society. If the median length of stay in foster care (18 months) were shortened by just one month, it would realize a savings of approximately $2.75 billion nationwide. In Garland County, it costs CASA $800.00/year/child to provide an advocate. This is far less than the annual cost to maintain a child in the foster care system. Current data, as of December, 2009, indicates that it costs $28,294/year to keep a child in foster care in Arkansas.
What the numbers do not tell you is how we are funded. Of our annual budget, 58 % comes from grants and 8.5 % from charitable foundations; all of which need to be applied for on an annual basis. The remainder of our income, 33.5%, is derived from donations (individual, faith based and civic organizations) and fund raising events such as “ MOCASA Ornamental Silent Auction,” the “Chef’s tour” and a mid-winter sporting event.
What Can You Do To Help?
Make a multi-year pledge. It costs approximately $800 per year or $2.00 per day to give one child a volunteer advocate for one year.
Become a volunteer advocate and share your gift of time with a child in need.
If fundraising and event planning is something you enjoy, join our Friends of CASA.
Visit with a CASA staff person, volunteer advocate or board member to share other ideas you might have. Please call Donna Meeks, Office Coordinator, at 501-321-9269 or send an email to gccasa@garlandcountycasa.org
You can make a difference! Learn more about Volunteering or Donating.