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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION HONORING COURT APPOOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES (CASA) OF COOK COUNTY FOR ITS EXTRAORDINARY ADVOCACY ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Illinois Juvenile Court Act, (705ILCS 405/2-17.1) Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) serve as trained advocates appointed by the court to represent the best interests of children involved in abuse and neglect proceedings; and
WHEREAS, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cook County, founded in 1986, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that children involved in the foster care system have their rights protected, their voices heard, and their best interests advanced through advocacy that promotes safety, permanency, well-being, and successful transitions to adulthood; and
WHEREAS, for more than forty years, CASA of Cook County has provided unwavering advocacy and support to more than 12,000 children and youth affected by abuse, neglect, family instability, trauma, and prolonged involvement in the child welfare system; and
WHEREAS, as one of the nation's largest and most complex urban CASA programs, and the only organization of its kind serving children within the Cook County Juvenile Court system, CASA of Cook County fulfills a unique and indispensable role by providing highly trained volunteer advocates who serve as independent voices for children in court proceedings and throughout their child welfare journeys; and
WHEREAS, children involved in the foster care system often face significant challenges related to physical and mental health, educational attainment, housing stability, and emotional wellbeing, and research has demonstrated that children assigned a CASA volunteer experience improved outcomes and are more likely to achieve permanency and stability; and
WHEREAS, African American children remain disproportionately represented within the foster care system and frequently experience longer stays in care and greater barriers to permanency, underscoring the importance of CASA's advocacy on behalf of children and families impacted by longstanding inequities and systemic challenges; and
WHEREAS, CASA of Cook County has undergone extraordinary growth and transformation in recent years, expanding its reach seventeen-fold since 2018 and achieving the largest service footprint in the organization's history, ensuring that more children than ever before have access to a dedicated advocate; and
WHEREAS, CASA of Cook County has demonstrated leadership and innovation through the development of specialized initiatives, including the Early Childhood Court Team (Safe Babies Court), the Medically At-Risk Kids (M.A.R.K.) Program, and the Creating Independent
Transitions for Youth (C.I.T.Y.) Program, all of which provide targeted support to some of the County's most vulnerable children and youth; and
WHEREAS, in partnership with the Juvenile Court of Cook County, CASA of Cook County has advanced groundbreaking reforms designed to strengthen family preservation, improve permanency outcomes, and ensure greater accountability and support for youth transitioning out of foster care; and
WHEREAS, through the dedication of its staff, volunteers, supporters, and community partners, CASA of Cook County has transformed the lives of thousands of children and youth by promoting safety, stability, educational success, access to healthcare, family connections, and long-term well-being; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Board of Commissioners recognizes the invaluable contributions of CASA volunteers and staff whose compassion, service, and commitment help ensure that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President of the Cook County Board and the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby honor and recognize Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cook County for its extraordinary commitment to advocating for the best interests of children and youth in foster care and for its enduring contributions to the well-being of the residents of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners expresses its sincere gratitude to the staff, volunteers, supporters, and community partners of CASA of Cook County for their dedication to ensuring that every child has a safe, stable, and supportive future; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be presented to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Cook County as a symbol of the respect, appreciation, and admiration of the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
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