Passaic County CASA Expands to Union County
Submitted by Gretchen Boger-O’Bryan
Passaic County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a leading child advocacy organization focused on protecting the best interests of abused and neglected youth, has announced the expansion of its service footprint to include Union County. With this expansion, critical volunteer advocacy for child victims removed from home and living under the jurisdiction of the family court will be made available to even more of New Jersey’s most vulnerable children. This expansion allows for greater community impact, efficiency in operations, and greater long-term sustainability.
CASA recruits, screens, trains, and supervises community volunteers to advocate for local abused, neglected, and abandoned youth from birth to age 21 involved in the child welfare system through no fault of their own.
Executive Director Erica Fischer-Kaslander, who continues to lead the expanded advocacy organization, said, “There’s no doubt this expansion will reap even greater rewards for Union County’s vulnerable youth. The synergy created from two experienced programs allows far greater community impact and enhances its agility to withstand today’s shifting landscape as a strengthened, multi-county program.” Acknowledging the nearly two-decade impact of the previous Union County CASA organization, Fischer-Kaslander adds, “The dedicated advocates in Union County remain focused on fulfilling CASA’s mission: quality advocacy, continuity of presence, and increased access to services for local vulnerable youth-victims. As a combined force, we will build on that good work. I remain grateful to all professionals involved in these cases for their support – judges, attorneys, caseworkers, and more – and look forward to the collaboration required for us all to do our best for the children depending on us.”
Gretchen Boger-O’Bryan, Content Director for CASA of Passaic and Union Counties, added, “In my 11 years working with CASA in Union County, I have seen the organization pivot to meet unforeseen needs, adapt to changing trends, and persevere through recent challenges faced by all nonprofits, including a global health pandemic. Indeed, passion for and commitment to every child drives us, and this new chapter is simply an opportunity to enjoy greater efficiency, resource allocation, and space for innovation. Ultimately, the expansion of Passaic County CASA to include Union County breeds a strengthened organization that bolsters CASA’s impact throughout the county. For our local youth, that’s what matters.”
Considered extra “eyes and ears” for judges hearing abuse and neglect cases, CASA volunteers are assigned to a youth or sibling set by court order, granting access to all parties in the youth’s life. Advocates use unbiased observations to make fact-based recommendations to judges deciding the future of each youth. Often, CASA volunteers are the only long-term, caring, and informed adult in the corner of a youth awaiting a safe, stable, and permanent placement.
Volunteer advocates need no prior experience in child welfare. All prospective volunteers complete a 36-hour training course, extensive application, and screening process in addition to background checks. Volunteers with the newly expanded CASA of Passaic and Union Counties program are supported by a 26-person professional staff with extensive experience in child welfare. For details on becoming an advocate or other ways to get involved, visit casapassaicunion.org.
