Local CASA Program Finds a Win-Win for Daniela

Daniela was removed from her home three days after her birth and placed in foster care. When the CASA Volunteer, Sasha, was appointed to Daniela’s case, she had already been in her foster home for five years, much longer than the typical stay. She was becoming angry and depressed due to the uncertainty of her living arrangement. She missed her mom terribly.

The case was at a standstill with no end in sight—Daniela’s mother loved her dearly, but had cognitive impairments that made it impossible for her to care for Daniela full time. Sasha was determined to help the case close so that Daniela would not spend her entire childhood in foster care. After considering every possibility, Sasha recommended an unusual option that would allow Daniela to live permanently with her foster mom, and to visit with her biological mother. The court agreed, as did the foster and biological parents. Daniela had spent the first 5 years of her life in foster care, but after only 6 months with a CASA Volunteer, she was living permanently in a loving home where she was able to maintain connections with her biological family.

A win-win for Daniela.