• Maintains good working relationship with DFPS and courts
• Programs goes above and beyond serving children with the Christmas Project and School supply drive
Current Functioning:
Fannin County Children’s Center operates under the 336th District court and serves one county. Judge Blake has been the presiding judge since 2005. There is a mutual respect between Judge Blake and the program. The judge participates in the volunteer training as well as swearing in the newly trained volunteers. Fannin County Children’s Center is automatically appointed to every child in DFPS custody.
The program is served by one DPFS unit with 2 workers that are supervised by one person; who offices in Fannin County half …show more content…
Within the past year, they have added a Hispanic board member and a bilingual staff person. The program feels that they have utilized what they have learned from the diversity trainings they have attended through Texas CASA and CAC Texas; however, they would welcome any assistance Texas CASA would provide in order to reach their goals. The diversity plan is in the process of being reviewed with special attention being given to the needs of the program to mirror the children served.
Hours spent in advocacy by volunteers can be one measure of quality advocacy. A review of case files indicated that quality advocacy is being performed and documented by volunteers and staff. Since 2010, volunteer hours reported have increased 600%.
A review on-site of four child files revealed a high level of quality advocacy with an overall score of 91%. Consistently well-documented were minimum expectations through monthly contacts, medical advocacy, legal advocacy and educational advocacy. The volunteers showed consistent face contact with the children, contact with the placement and CASA supervisor. The program conducts 3-6 month case planning meetings with the volunteers that allows the supervisor and the volunteer to discuss the case at length and develop a step by step plan for the case. The volunteer and supervisor come away from the meeting with a clear picture of what tasks are at hand. …show more content…
Court reports were also thorough with listed contacts and information that supported