As a CASA myself in the state of VA I related to this post so much, and have felt very much the same way. Thank you for helping me not feel so alone. I'll keep showing up for these kids, just like so many of my burnt-out social worker and non-profit friends, still wanting to quit every day but knowing it's not something I'll ever do.
I really appreciate this note, Jen. CASA was not super happy I wrote this. LOL. They said, "This isn't what CASA is." But I think there is a case to be made that sometimes this IS what CASA is and we have to discuss it to get through it. Anyway, thank you for helping me feel validated and for hanging strong for the kids.
It's soooo hard. I was a Guardian ad Litem for over 20 years, in Dependency & Neglect cases and Delinquency. I often felt like I was the only person worrying about those adolescents at 3am. These kids are really fortunate to have you on their case, even if it feels like it's taking years off your life.
Thank you for this response. I so appreciate the commiseration and to know I'm not alone here. LOL. I mean I am so tired of hearing "well, the child won't do A, B. and C so there's nothing we can do." Are you fucking kidding me?
It's gotten worse since the Families First legislation. There are almost no placements for teens, at least in Colorado, and the system is Totally Fine with kids being homeless.
There are some positives that have come out of it, I'm sure, but the biggest impact on my teen clients comes from doing away with most of the congregate care. All of our group homes were shut down. That leaves residential treatment (RCCFs) for extremely high needs and foster homes. Most foster providers are apprehensive of teenagers, especially those who have delinquency cases. And many of the teens don't do well in foster homes, as you can imagine. The homes that are really great with those kids are always full.
Yes! Like completely fine. and there is this expectation that these kids should be able to follow all these rules when they have barely had rules and they are estranged from family and traumatized. There is no discussion of how to support the whole family. I can't do this and just monitor and advocate. It's ridiculous.
As a CASA myself in the state of VA I related to this post so much, and have felt very much the same way. Thank you for helping me not feel so alone. I'll keep showing up for these kids, just like so many of my burnt-out social worker and non-profit friends, still wanting to quit every day but knowing it's not something I'll ever do.
I really appreciate this note, Jen. CASA was not super happy I wrote this. LOL. They said, "This isn't what CASA is." But I think there is a case to be made that sometimes this IS what CASA is and we have to discuss it to get through it. Anyway, thank you for helping me feel validated and for hanging strong for the kids.
It's soooo hard. I was a Guardian ad Litem for over 20 years, in Dependency & Neglect cases and Delinquency. I often felt like I was the only person worrying about those adolescents at 3am. These kids are really fortunate to have you on their case, even if it feels like it's taking years off your life.
Thank you for this response. I so appreciate the commiseration and to know I'm not alone here. LOL. I mean I am so tired of hearing "well, the child won't do A, B. and C so there's nothing we can do." Are you fucking kidding me?
It's gotten worse since the Families First legislation. There are almost no placements for teens, at least in Colorado, and the system is Totally Fine with kids being homeless.
Lee, tell me more about how Families First has worked in your cases?
There are some positives that have come out of it, I'm sure, but the biggest impact on my teen clients comes from doing away with most of the congregate care. All of our group homes were shut down. That leaves residential treatment (RCCFs) for extremely high needs and foster homes. Most foster providers are apprehensive of teenagers, especially those who have delinquency cases. And many of the teens don't do well in foster homes, as you can imagine. The homes that are really great with those kids are always full.
Yes! Like completely fine. and there is this expectation that these kids should be able to follow all these rules when they have barely had rules and they are estranged from family and traumatized. There is no discussion of how to support the whole family. I can't do this and just monitor and advocate. It's ridiculous.