Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Child Welfare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Local CASA program expands visitation space and launches 'Eternally Home' prevention program
Summary
CASA of Monongalia, Preston and Tucker counties told the council it advocated for 87 children in 2024, will open a second monitored visitation room in March and plans a prevention program called Eternally Home to reduce foster-care entries.
Caleb Hatch, volunteer supervisor for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), briefed the Committee of the Whole on Feb. 25 about service levels, outreach and new initiatives across Monongalia, Preston and Tucker counties.
Hatch said CASA had 22 active volunteers in 2024 and that volunteers directly advocated for 87 children and monitored roughly 100 additional children. He said 700 children entered foster care in the three-county area in 2024 and that CASA’s staff and volunteer capacity left many children unserved.
Hatch described CASA volunteers as assigned to a single child or sibling group and said volunteers attend meetings, monitor progress and make recommendations to the court. He gave an example of a volunteer helping secure an autism assessment and accommodations for a child in foster care.
Hatch announced two service expansions: a second indoor monitored visitation room, funded in part by a Monongalia County Commission grant, with a ribbon-cutting scheduled for March 12 at noon; and a new prevention-focused program called “Eternally Home,” modeled on a Mineral County pilot and supported by the public defender’s office, which aims to provide case management and supports to at-risk families to prevent foster-care placements.
Hatch also promoted CASA’s third annual fundraising gala (James Bond theme) and requested community support for sponsorships, auction items and attendance.
