This Year's Project: Continuing to Advocate and Educate for a Brighter Future
About Our Organization
The CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program helps fulfill society's obligation to children through trained citizen volunteers who advocate for a foster childs right to be safe, to be treated with dignity, and to flourish in the care of a loving family. A CASA volunteer is assigned to one child or sibling group at a time and gets to know the child, speaking to everyone involved in the childs life to promote safety, happiness, and permanence. Support CASA - be the voice of a child!
Prairie Plains CASA advocates for approximately 45 children per year in 7 counties in Southwest Nebraska. We currently have 15 volunteers advocating for 22 children and have 7 children who are waiting for a CASA. Research shows that having a CASA advocate means less time in foster care, fewer foster homes, and fewer school transitions for youth.
The Prairie Plains CASA office provides a home-like visitation space for families that have court-ordered visitation but do not have a safe or appropriate home of their own. “At Matthews Place, parents can plan and cook meals, do a load of laundry, put a toddler down for a nap, or watch a DVD and cuddle with their kids on the couch”.
You can read more about Matthew’s Place at http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/2223261
Current Project: Continuing to Advocate and Educate for a Brighter Future
At Prairie Plains CASA, we are committed to serving our community and making a difference in the lives of children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. In the 2024-2025 year, our mission remains strong, as we strive to provide highly trained volunteers who serve as the unwavering voice for these vulnerable children within the court system.
Program Goals:
1. Continued Child Advocacy: Our primary goal remains the same- to ensure that every child in need has a dedicated and compassionate CASA volunteer by their side throughout their court journey. Our volunteers act as the pillars of support, offering guidance, empathy, and a voice in a system that can often be overwhelming for children.
2. Community Engagement: We aim to strengthen our ties with local businesses, health and human services organizations, and schools. This collaboration allows us to create a supportive network that empowers children and their families, working towards a brighter future for all.
3. Real-World Education: Building on the success of our 2nd Annual Reality Check, we are excited to continue this unique program, providing hands-on education to the local 8th-grade students. This initiative bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world application, equipping young minds with vital life skills that prepare them for what lies ahead after high school.
Reality Check Program
Our 2nd annual Reality Check is a significant component of our 2024-2025 project year. In partnership with local schools, we offer 8th graders an interactive and decision-based lesson in financial matters. This program allows students to explore crucial aspects of financial planning, including:
Renting vs. Owning: Teaching them about housing choices, responsibilities, and the costs associated with each.
Budgeting for Technology: Discussing the expenses related to owning a cell phone and having internet access at home
Transportation Decisions: Exploring options for getting to work, be it through owning a car or riding a bike while considering the rural context of Southwest Nebraska
Our Commitment extends beyond children placed in foster care; we strive to empower all youth of Southwest Nebraska. We believe that preparing the next generation for success is essential for our community's growth and prosperity. Through our combined efforts in child advocacy, community engagement, and real-world education, we are dedicated to nurturing our region's youth and ensuring they have the skills, support, and opportunities needed to thrive.
Join us in this mission to create a brighter future for children in need and to help our community prosper. Together, we can make a lasting impact and prepare the young minds of southwest Nebraska for the journey ahead.
2022-2023 Goals
Project Details
Prairie Plains CASA's mission is to provide a voice for neglected and abused children in the court system. To strive for less chaos and uncertainty in their lives while moving through the system until a safe permanent home can be provided for them in which they can grow and thrive.
In the 2022-2023 year Prairie Plains CASA will continue on with its mission by growing our volunteer base in the counties we serve. We advocate for 22 children currently but have 8 children on a waitlist for a CASA. We want a CASA for every child.
We are working with other community stakeholders in the area to host a Home Run derby event geared toward men, but with the goal of increasing volunteerism in our community.
We are also currently working with McCook Jr. High and other community members to put together a financial literacy event called "Reality Check".
If you would like to know more about either event please contact Caitlin Whitehead at director@prairieplainscasa.org or call the office at 308.345.8817
Thank you for your support and look for more information for our upcoming events in later winter or early spring!
Project Details
Continue to recruit and train volunteers to advocate for the abused and neglected children in our communities. Child abuse and neglect are on the rise.
Children too often pay a heavy price when families are under increased financial and emotional stress. This spring and summer children were out of the public eye. They were not at schools, daycares, or in other locations where caring individuals would spot signs of abuse. Now that children are back in school, there has been a surge in the number of child abuse and neglect cases in the courts. CASA programs across Nebraska are working hard to ensure that child abuse and neglect do not go unnoticed. Prairie Plains CASA is working to provide a CASA volunteer for every child that needs one throughout the 7 counties we serve. CASA programs across Nebraska are working hard to ensure that child abuse and neglect do not go unnoticed. Prairie Plains CASA is working to provide a CASA volunteer for every child that needs one throughout the 7 counties we serve. We currently have 15 volunteers serving 25 children.
Continue to maintain Matthew's Place, a visitation space for these children to have a safe homelike setting for supervised visitations with their parents.
A CASA for Every Child
Project Details
Continue to recruit and train volunteers to advocate for the abused and neglected children in our communities. Child abuse and neglect are on the rise.
Children too often pay a heavy price when families are under increased financial and emotional stress. This spring and summer children were out of the public eye. They were not at schools, daycares, or in other locations where caring individuals would spot signs of abuse. Now that children are back in school, there has been a surge in the number of child abuse and neglect cases in the courts. CASA programs across Nebraska are working hard to ensure that child abuse and neglect do not go unnoticed. Prairie Plains CASA is working to provide a CASA volunteer for every child that needs one throughout the 7 counties we serve. We currently have 13 volunteers serving 22 children. We have two children waiting for a volunteer.
The trauma of being removed from parents and their home, and the stress of possibly having to change schools, teachers, and friends. Children often fall behind in school work. Prairie Plains CASA is starting a Homework Help project where children can come to our office and volunteers work with them to catch up on their school work.
Continue to maintain Matthew's Place, a visitation space for these children to have a safe homelike setting for supervised visitations with their parents.
2020 Goals
Project Details
Expand our services to better serve youth who are aging out of the Foster Care system by helping them develop independent living skills.
Continue to recruit and train volunteers to advocate for the abused and neglected children in our communities.
Continue to maintain Matthew's Place, a visitation space for these children to have a safe homelike setting for supervised visitations with their parents.