Ed’s investigation revealed news about his CASA child’s health.
A CASA’s work begins with getting to know a child and his or her situation, as Ed Kach has done for all his CASA kids. When one of them showed signs of poor vision, he did some investigating that revealed an unintended consequence of moving around in foster care: the child’s glasses were lost in a move, and not replaced due to funding restrictions.
Once Ed uncovered who could make that kind of decision for direct services, he didn’t let up until that child was outfitted with the proper eyewear.
In another case, Ed investigated programs that could help his CASA child prepare for and pay for college. Even though it was a few years early, Ed started encouraging the child to take school seriously. “I said, ‘I’ve seen you grow, I’ve heard what teachers say about you, I’ve observed how you behave. You have a lot of potential.’ I wanted to set those expectations and look forward to hearing about that success,” he shared.
Ed then referenced an 80-page packet the foster family had received when they began fostering. “I found the page detailing [college funding] resources, plus a brochure on free college prep, and told the mother, ‘your new child has the potential; if she also has the determination, that child will make it.”
With intentionality, Ed uncovered the gift of believing in the child.