Meet “Anna”
Young Child in Child Focus (CASA)
Six-year-old Anna entered foster care in Union County after her mother was murdered by her father. Anna witnessed the murder and the resulting trauma has been significant. Anna was immediately placed into foster care and the custody of the state. For close to a month after this life-altering experience, Anna lived in a home with strangers adding more confusion and fear.
CASA volunteer Lee was appointed to Anna during the first court hearing. Lee first met Anna in the home of her foster parent and although it was a stable environment, it was not a long-term option for Anna. Fortunately, Anna’s great aunt came forward and offered to care for her grandniece. Although she lived in Essex County, Anna’s great aunt was approved for placement.
Lee was there the day Anna arrived at her new home. Throughout the course of the next year, Lee served as continuity for Anna advocating for her in court, the community, and the classroom. Anna was placed in a home out of the county but Lee did not waver in her commitment and made sure to visit Anna each month without fail.
Thanks to the attention from and advocacy by Lee, Anna was slated to receive much-needed access to grief therapy within the week she entered foster care. Lee's focus on the myriad issues as well as her ability to make consistent phone calls, follow up with providers, and personally assist DCPP with completing needed forms, resulted in counseling services being expedited.
After a full year in foster care, Anna was adopted by her great aunt. Now Anna has the opportunity to work toward a stable foundation for today, and her future.