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Strength in Numbers
National CASA's 2010 Annual Report features accomplishments of the year, including the new Fostering Futures program that is training volunteers to help older youth in care succeed.
Read the report
Overmedication of Foster Children Is a National Health CrisisA new report issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that children in foster care are 4.5 times more likely to receive psychotropic drugs, and often multiple drugs, than children who remain with their families. These drugs may be prescribed by practitioners who do not specialize in the care of children, depression or anxiety—and the children may have no one with the time and knowledge to watch for adverse side effects. CASA Volunteers Protect Children’s Rights
“I’m not bipolar. I’m just naughty.” ~ Ke'onteNational CASA has worked to combat overmedication of foster youth on both the national and local levels. When the GAO report brought national attention to this epidemic, National CASA CEO Michael Piraino advocated for higher standards and more aggressive supervision regarding the medication of children in foster care in interviews on ABC’s 20/20 and CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360, and recently discussed the topic with Dr. Phil. Watch video clips of media interviews at our YouTube channel. CASA programs are often in the best position to sound an alarm when a child’s medical care is in question, as was the case with Ke’onte Cook. When he came to the attention of a Texas CASA program, Ke’onte was receiving 12 psychotropic medications, four times the number recommended by medical professionals. Read about Ke’onte in a recent blog post by National CASA CEO Michael Piraino. Learn More
Get InvolvedEvery child in the foster care and child welfare system should have a CASA volunteer. You can help us in this quest by becoming a CASA volunteer or providing critical financial support to National CASA.
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