1. CASA FOR CHILDREN AND THE AMERICAN LEGION: BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE

2. Too many months in foster care Too many moves Too much medication Too few connections Too little education Too much risk of criminal involvement A HIDDEN HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS

3. BUT THERE IS HOPE… “ The American Legion and CASA volunteers are living examples of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. ” -Frank D. West, Grant Co., Indiana CASA/GAL Volunteer and Legionnaire

4. CASA for Children is central to fulfilling society’s most fundamental obligation by making sure a qualified, compassionate adult will fight for a child’s right to be safe, treated with dignity, and thrive in the security of a loving family.

5. People from all walks of life, all ages, all ethnicities Specially trained and assigned by a judge to advocate for a child Investigate what led to the child’s removal and assess the family Understand the child’s needs and make sure they are met Request services/assessments that otherwise might not be given Study options for long-term care—from family members to adoption Make a formal report/recommendation to a judge Close the case when each child is in a safe, loving permanent home WHAT IS A CASA VOLUNTEER?

6. 77,000 CASA Volunteers 1 reliable adult in a child’s life Rank CASA above lawyers on 9 key advocacy criteria 7.5 months off the time a child is in foster care Score higher on 9 safety and success factors THE RESULTS ARE UNPRECEDENTED

7. 65% of the children still need a CASA volunteer We have an obligation to serve 100% of the children in the system By 2020 we intend to meet that obligation SO ARE THE OBSTACLES

8. WE ARE CLOSE TO SOLVING THIS PROBLEM! In the past decade several public, private and philanthropic organizations have made headway in reducing the number of children in foster care. At the same time, CASA for Children has been increasing the number of children we can serve. YEAR CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE All Children are Served Our obligation is to close this gap as soon as possible 430,000 children

9. THE AMERICAN LEGION STANDS FOR A STRONG AMERICA

11. Children are our most precious natural resource We understand the role of the advocate We speak up for children’s interests and voice their concerns We believe every child has the right to be treated with dignity, to be safe, and to thrive in the safe embrace of a loving family SHARED VALUES

12. FIGHTING FOR A BETTER FUTURE FOR OUR YOUTH National CASA is proud to partner with The American Legion, and are honored to have them join us in our I am for the child™ movement – ensuring a safe, permanent home for ever child. Together, we can build a critical mass of support and change the lives of abused and neglected children.

13. THANK YOU IamForTheChild.org