Page 30 - September 2021 Issue.indd

alcohol is frequently the root of what
Caroline tears families apart.

CASA Most parents do not intend to neglect
their children. But when the child’s basic
Court Appointed needs aren’t met, the child welfare system
Special Advocate will intervene, investigate the situation,
and remove children from potentially
September is National Recovery Month, dangerous situations to ensure the child’s
the month when courthouses are lit safety and prevent further neglect. Th e
purple, vigils and awareness events are child may be temporarily placed in a
held, and newspapers run articles about foster home or with relatives who are
the opioid epidemic that’s been plaguing willing to step in.
our country and putting a strain on law
At CASA of Caroline, the goal is to
enforcement, government resources and and building healthy relationships.” She
keep families together and support
families. We read and hear so much stresses the importance of all family
reunification efforts for those who’ve
about heroin and the opioid epidemic members taking the time to heal from
been separated for the temporary
that we frequently forget about the traumas, both past and present, saying,
safety and well-being of the children.
dangers of that legal substance known “Our goal at Sun is to make sure they
“Hopefully we can encourage parents
as alcohol. heal as individuals and as families so the
to take necessary steps toward recovery
According to the National Council on so they can be reunited with their kids” end result is that all the pieces of their
Alcoholism and Drug Dependence says Shelly Kulp, Executive Director family are put back together.”
(NCADD), alcohol is the most abused at CASA of Caroline. “Parenting can Many parents who’ve temporarily lost
addictive substance in America. More be challenging for everyone at times. custody are reeling with their own
than 7 million children live with at least It’s important that parents understand pain. Ms. Kulp says, “We want to help
one parent who suffers from alcoholism. we want to see them succeed. We want parents understand that their children’s

It has a significant impact on many families to be together and it’s OK if the removal and placement in foster care
families, and especially the children, parents need outside support.” are temporary supports to help them
because it can interfere with the According to Leah Parrack, Community through a difficult time. And our CASA

parent’s ability to meet their children’s Liaison with Sun Behavioral in volunteers who are assigned to their
basic needs. From being emotionally Georgetown, DE, “Many times, parents children are just another added layer of
and physically unavailable, to having are afraid to seek help because they’re protection for these kids. Sometimes the
violent outbursts or spending the afraid that if they admit they have a CASA volunteer is the only consistent
family’s income on alcohol rather than problem, their children will automatically adult in their lives while their parents
food, clothing, housing and healthcare, be taken away. In reality, parents who work to get back on track. We all want
alcohol use can deprive a child and the seek treatment stand a much greater what’s in the best interest of the children
family of their basic needs. Simply put, so that all kids have the opportunity to
chance of keeping their family together
thrive.”

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