Who Advocates for Children in Foster Care?

Advocates not only advocate for the best interest of the child regarding reunification with their parent(s), but also to ensure they are receiving all necessary services they may need.

In addition to specialized nonprofit and policy organizations, children living in and navigating the foster care system have various advocates including individuals appointed to the child, legal representatives, and caregivers or family advocates.

Reporting, the Court Process and a Child's Advocates

Once a report of child abuse or neglect has been reported to the local authorities, the first line of defense is the police department and Department of Social Services; their investigation into the allegations is where the advocacy process begins for the child.

If it has been determined that the child’s safety and well-being are at risk, and that it is in the child’s best interest to be removed from the home, DSS will assign a case worker and contact the Juvenile & Family Court System through the Caroline County Circuit Court to begin placement proceedings while a Permanency Plan is put in place.

At this point in the process, the judge and magistrate overseeing the case then also become advocates for the child as he/she works toward being reunified with their parent(s). During this process, the courts will assign the child their own Child’s Attorney who will advocate for his/her best interest.

Assigning a Court Appointed Special Advocate

If the courts and DSS determine that the child can also benefit from additional advocacy support, they will recommend to the parents that the child be assigned a Court Appointed Special Advocate through CASA of Caroline.

That advocate will advocate not only for the best interest of the child regarding reunification with their parent(s) but also advocate for them to ensure they are receiving all necessary services they may need including educational, counseling, and recreational services.

The CASA order allows the advocate to speak with all parties who have information on the child including teachers and guidance counselors, and medical and counseling personnel.

The Role of Caregivers & Family Advocates

Whether a caregiver or family advocate, these individuals also advocate for children in foster care.

If biological/kinship families are available, viable, and willing, a child may be placed with those family members (grandparents, aunts or uncles, adult cousins, designated friends of the family) who will advocate for reunification or placement within the family of origin.

If kinship relatives are not available, the child will be placed with a Resource/Foster Parent, one who provides daily care as well as stability and emotional support while advocating the child’s educational, medical, and personal needs.

Other Advocates

In addition to the representatives who have direct interaction with the child, there are also other nonprofit, policy, youth-led, and legal aid organizations who advocate for children in the foster care system. These include:

• Children’s Law Center, who can represent children and work to reform child welfare policies.

• National Foster Parent Association, who represents foster families and works to improve foster care systems and practices.

• Child Welfare League of America, a coalition of nationwide agencies who advocate for public policies to protect children and strengthen families.

• Children’s Defense Fund, who work to protect children from abuse, reforming foster and juvenile justice systems.

• Casey Family Programs & Annie E. Casey Foundation, who research, fund, and advocate for child welfare reforms, family preservation, and reducing the number of children in foster care.

• CarePortal, National Angels, and Friends of the Children, who mobilize community resources and mentoring services.

Overall, children in foster care have a team of individuals who work together to advocate for their best interest and permanently reunify them with their families as quickly as is possible if that placement is safe, stable, and loving. This team of advocates also works closely with community resources who further work to serve the best interest of children in foster care.