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November is National Adoption Month, and Bastrop County’s child advocacy specialists are honoring families who have embraced children through adoption, with a special focus on adoptions by relatives and close connections.
CASA of Bastrop, Fayette & Lee Counties volunteers aim first to reunite children with their parents whenever safely possible. When reunification isn’t an option, they advocate for placement with relatives, close friends or loving adoptive families.
“As advocates for the best interest of children in foster care, we at CASA have seen family take many forms. All loving families are beautiful,” said Kristi Bauer, local chapter executive director.
Adoption often conjures images of non-relatives stepping in to create a new family. However, many children find stability and love through adoption by grandparents, aunts, uncles or close family friends, Bauer added.
“Often, when a child cannot safely go back home with their parents, other family members step in to care for them. This is known in the system as ‘kinship care,’” Bauer said. “In some cases, children live with family friends, coaches, teachers or mentors — ‘fictive kin.’” Statewide data highlights the importance of kinship care, according to CASA. Of the 4,181 children adopted from foster care last year in Texas, 1,776 were adopted by family members.
CASA volunteers and child welfare professionals prioritize keeping children connected to their loved ones and community whenever possible. These trained, community- based advocates are appointed by judges to champion a child’s best interests in court, working alongside caseworkers, attorneys and other professionals.
“This month, we’re taking the time to show our appreciation for the diverse families in our community who are nurturing and raising children they’ve adopted from foster care,” Bauer said. “Thank you for giving them a safe, permanent and unconditionally loving home where they can heal and grow.”
To learn more about CASA or become a volunteer, visit casabfl.org. The next volunteer training session begins in January, with both morning and evening options available at CASA’s Bastrop office.
