In 1977, a Seattle judge conceived the idea of using trained community volunteers to speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. So successful was this program that soon judges across the country began utilizing citizen advocates. In 1990, the US Congress encouraged the expansion of CASA programs with passage of the Victims of Child Abuse Act.
Today, we have grown to a network of more than 50,000 volunteers that serve 225,000 abused and neglected children through 900+ local program offices nationwide. Our advocates, also known as volunteer guardians ad litem in some jurisdictions, are appointed members of the court. Judges rely on the information these trusted advocates present.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) was created with the passage of House Bill 2292 by 78th Texas Legislature, Regular Session. Previously called the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, DFPS is charged with protecting children, adults who are elderly or have disabilities living at home or in state facilities, and licensing group day-care homes, day-care centers, and registered family homes.
The agency is also charged with managing community-based programs that prevent delinquency, abuse, neglect and exploitation of Texas children, elderly and disabled adults. The agency’s services are provided through its Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Child Care Licensing, and Prevention and Early Intervention divisions. Every day, almost 6,800 DFPS employees in more than 249 offices across the state protect the physical safety and emotional well-being of the most vulnerable citizens of Texas.
Permian Basin Community Centers for MHMR
Permian Basin Community Centers is the local authority for mental health and mental retardation services. PBCC also provides Early Childhood Intervention services as well as chemical dependency services. Service fees are based on a sliding scale. Permian Basin Community Centers is a public entity that is governed by a local Board of Trustees. The center was formed in 1969 by the city of Midland. More counties were added as years went on. Currently, PBCC has about 300 employees and a budget of over 16 million dollars. Private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid are accepted. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) contracts for mental health and chemical dependency services, the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) contracts for mental retardation services, and the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) contracts for Early Childhood Intervention services, allowing the implementation of a sliding fee scale, which lowers the cost to the consumer.
“CASA programs provide the only volunteer opportunity that empowers everyday citizens as appointed officer of the court. In an overburdened social welfare system, abused and neglected children often slip through the cracks as one of hundreds of current cases.
CASA volunteers change that. Trained by CASA and appointed by judges, volunteers typically handle just one case at a time - and commit to staying on that case until the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. While others may come and go, CASA volunteers provide that one constant that children need to thrive.”
Located in Odessa, Texas, Harmony Home Children’s Advocacy Center is one of the 61 centers in Texas, and the more than 320 such facilities in the U.S. Our center has been open as a private nonprofit organization since 1993. We currently employ 6 staff members, all of whom are dedicated to helping children, their families and our community.
Everyday children victimized by abuse find their way to Harmony Home. When they arrive, they find caring professionals and volunteers who devote themselves to helping children through the nightmare of abuse. Families find the support and resources they need and deserve. And, most importantly, children and their families find a place where together their healing can begin.
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