CHAVES COUNTY CASA ADVOCACY
A CASA is a volunteer appointed by the Children's Court of The Fifth Judicial District to ensure the needs of a child who may have been neglected or abused are being met. In order to do this, the CASA must investigate the facts of the case, recommend a course of action to the court, facilitate the resolution of the presenting problems, and monitor progress toward established goals.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE &
CUSTODY ADVOCACY PROJECT
The Domestic Violence and Custody Advocacy Project addresses the needs of kids caught in bitter custody disputes involving accusations of abuse, neglect or sexual molestation. The appointment of CASA to these domestic cases represents a bold and original extension of the program’s focus to help more kids in need—the kind of innovation for which Chaves County CASA is considered a leader in the state.
ABUSE & NEGLECT PROJECT
The Abuse and Neglect Project pairs volunteer advocates with children in the custody of the Department of Children, Youth and Families as the result of physical abuse or palpable neglect.
Become a Volunteer
JUVENILE COURT ADVOCACY
Juvenile Court Advocacy is available to youth in the Juvenile Justice System who are deemed to be at risk because of abuse or neglect or who are otherwise in need of specialized interventions. Highly trained court advocates investigate a youth’s home conditions, find effective solutions, and make recommendations to the court in the youth’s best interests.
OTHER RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF ABUSE ARE:
Roswell Police Department:
Dial 911 or (575) 624-6770
(575) 623-3255
Roswell Refuge for Battered Adults
To file a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order)
or to find out more information about domestic violence services, contact The Refuge at:
(575) 627-8361roswellrefuge.org
cvrc.state.nm.us
RAP – REFERRAL & ASSESSMENT PROGRAM
Programs where youth and their families facing challenges are assessed and referred to appropriate services within the community. Youth will be reached at the earliest possible signs of difficulty to ensure that they can reach their potential
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
In-home parenting support and coaching for families at risk of foster care is also available.
FORENSIC INTERVIEWING
Forensic interviewing is a first step in most child protective services (CPS) investigations, one in which a professional interviews a child to find out if he or she has been maltreated. In addition to yielding the information needed to make a determination about whether abuse or neglect has occurred, this approach produces evidence that will stand up in court if the investigation leads to criminal prosecution. Properly conducted forensic interviews are legally sound in part because they ensure the interviewer’s objectivity, employ non-leading techniques, and emphasize careful documentation of the interview.
PLEDGE OF FAITH
Chaves County CASA believes that youth are most effectively reached using a holistic approach that integrates mind, body, spirit and family. We insist that all children deserve a safe, loving, and permanent home. Our ultimate goal is to help the kids we serve break the cycles of abuse in their lives so that they may one day provide stable and loving homes for their own children. We know the past need not simply repeat itself when people care enough to stand up for the most defenseless among us who as children remain the promise of our future.
INTENSIVE YOUTH ADVOCACY PROGRAMS
Intensive Youth Advocacy is a groundbreaking project of Chaves County CASA which seeks to thwart the generational progression of poverty and crime by providing kids in the Juvenile Justice System a range of sound and constructive solutions to the problems they face. Because so many of these stem directly from traumatic physical and sexual abuse, CASA employs a number of highly trained advocates and youth mentors who join meaningful court advocacy with creative programs and alternative education support to ensure the best possible outcomes. The importance of these interventions is indicated by a recent finding that fully 85 percent of participating youth attend school, meet court obligations and remain arrest-free during enrollment.
ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM
The IYA’s Alternative Education Program provides life skills counseling, literacy training, job skills development, art and physical education, as well as moral support and character development to middle and high school youth, many of whom have been expelled or suspended long-term from their schools. With its computer lab and assessment software, CASA is able to evaluate the needs of students on a case by case basis and provide them with individualized instruction from between one to three hours a day. The program was designed in collaboration with the Chaves County Courts, Juvenile Probation, Roswell Independent School District, Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, area churches and local artists to fill the need for a safe and structured environment where even the most disenfranchised youth can find educational support and encouragement.
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM FOR BOYS
Among the programs and services under CASA’s Intensive Youth Advocacy (IYA) is the Leadership Program for Boys, a twelve week intensive training session which helps participants confront the role of violence in their lives with a view to breaking patterns of abuse. Working with community organizations like the Roswell Police Department, Juvenile Probation, Assurance Home, Wings for Life, and a number of faith communities, the Leadership Program uses on-site group mentoring to teach self-respect, leadership skills, and effective ways of dealing with anger and grief. It addresses peer pressure and gang involvement, as well as the importance of teamwork and planning for the future. Individual treatment plans and case management are provided to each boy and his family on an as-needed basis.
COURT ADVOCACY
Juveniles who are thought to be at risk owing to abuse or neglect and are referred to CASA’s IYA programs by the courts are eligible for representation by highly trained court advocates. These men and women make it their aim to research each case thoroughly, furnish the courts an accurate picture of a child’s home life and make objective recommendations in her best interest.
GIRL'S CIRCLE
Working in a complementary way with girls is the Girls Circle, a nationally recognized program that promotes good judgment, positive self-image, and critical thinking skills among twelve to eighteen year olds. Mentors guide youth in addressing a wide variety of issues that include goal setting, coping skills and relationships with adults and peers. Group discussion focuses on such critical topics as drug use, pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, past abuse, racial and sexual stereotypes, incarcerated parents and gangs. The program aims to both prevent delinquency and intervene in the lives of girls who have been referred by the courts because of criminal involvement. During twelve week intensive sessions mentors make use of journaling, group therapy, role playing, guest speakers, and collage as well as community volunteerism and college field trips to help girls learn to make wise choices and set constructive goals for their lives.
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: onecirclefoundation.orgVISITATION
For More Information About Visitation Services Call (575) 625-0112 or E-mail Us
Another indispensable service administered through Chaves County CASA is the Supervised Access and Visitation Program which provides a safe, neutral and comfortable place for children and non-custodial parents to visit and maintain family ties, whatever else may be happening in their lives. Because children have a need to love their parents and to feel loved in return, the program is dedicated to preserving parent-child relationships, focusing primarily on resolving conflicts related to child custody and visitation. Chaves County CASA maintains strict neutrality, playing an unbiased role in the facilitation of meetings and taking no position between parents. Our Supervised Visitation Center furnishes a relaxed and home-like environment for these encounters, with the safety of clients assured by expert staff and a comprehensive security system. The program also facilitates in-home and other off-site visitations including some with incarcerated parents as provided for by the courts.
COURTHOUSE FACILITY DOG
The job of these dogs is to help give strength to the child victims and make their journey through the judicial process a little easier. Because of their specialized training, they can accompany child victims to the courtroom.
For more information, click on the links below:
courthousedogs.org
assistancedogsofthewest.org
PLAY THERAPY
Free Play therapy provides a way for people to express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process. As children’s experiences and knowledge are often communicated through play, it becomes an important vehicle for them to know and accept themselves and others.
CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER
HOPE & HEALING FOR FAMILIES IN CRISIS
The goal of the CACs is to provide critical services to children who are survivors or witnesses of physical and sexual abuse.Services include:
SUPPLEMENTAL SERVICES
NURTURING PARENTING
Helping families develop positive parenting skills including:
• Positive Self Worth, Empathy, Empowerment and Strong Will, Structure and Non-Violent Discipline, Laughter, Humor and Play
• Parents and children work together in this innovative and effective program
• Taught by certified, experienced professionals.
• Both court ordered and self-referred families are welcome.
CASA KIDS & CHRISTMAS STORE
Children are often removed from abusive homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. To meet the emergency needs of these kids Chaves County CASA accepts donations of new and unused clothes, toiletries, towels, bedding, baby products and toys. Once a year CASA opens the doors of its Christmas Store where foster parents and our neediest families can shop for free from hundreds of gifts provided by supporters in the local community.
KINSHIP CARE
CASA's Kinship Care offers an assortment of services, programs and support for people who step up to care for other's children under the age of 18, including: Information and resource referrals, case management services, assistance with Medicaid, legal resource information and supervised visitation services. CASA's Caregivers Assistance Program is an outreach program designed to assure the safety and well being of these high risk children.
MEDIATION
Mediation is a process used to help people reach agreements. A neutral, trained mediator helps families discuss conflicts, explore possible options for settlement, and identify solutions that best meet the needs of each person involved. Mediation is available on a sliding fee scale basis.