Latest news with #fostercare
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
First-ever CASA Effect memorialized with butterfly release
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)— Cities around Texas are now hosting hundreds of new butterflies, thanks to the first-ever 'CASA Effect' butterfly release. Casa Red River was one of many CASA locations participating in the release. At their location in downtown Wichita Falls, families of all ages played a part in the event, releasing over 300 butterflies. The release was meant to symbolize the butterfly effect, meaning any small act can positively impact the lives of any child currently involved with CASA. After a successful first release, volunteer coordinator Casey Washington is hoping it can grow from this first year. 'This is just something that we wanted to give to the community,' Washington said. 'It's also a way for us to raise donations and raise funds so we can go visit our kids and give our foster kids what they need. But as far as the community, this is something we wanted to do and promote our organization and raise awareness and provide something fun for the community to do.' The butterfly release wasn't the only reason to come out for the afternoon either. There were hotdogs, bubble wands and plenty of chalk to draw with for any family. If you didn't make the butterfly release, but you're feeling inspired to help out with CASA's mission, they are always taking volunteers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
a day ago
- General
- CBS News
West Virginia governor implements policy changes in embattled foster care system
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey vowed Wednesday that his administration will improve transparency and policies within the state's embattled foster care system. Morrisey, a Republican, announced the changes after eight listening sessions statewide to identify areas of improvement and a review of critical cases. Morrisey said he heard attendees at one such session in Martinsburg discuss "a broken system." "It was difficult to hear many of the issues could have been avoided had the state communicated differently, had the state eliminated some red tape or had the right tools to better equip" Child Protective Services workers, Morrisey said at a news conference at the state Capitol. "You all know that these issues have been going on for a very, very long time. And unfortunately, it's the kids that suffer. And we can't tolerate that. "West Virginia cannot keep kicking the can down the road as was done in the past. That's not the model of this administration." Largely overwhelmed by the opioid epidemic in a state with the most overdose deaths per capita, West Virginia has the highest rate of children in foster care, currently more than 6,000 in a state of about 1.8 million. Morrisey, who took office in January after serving three terms as the state's attorney general, put some of the blame on the administration of his predecessor, two-term Republican Gov. Jim Justice, for often withholding foster care information from the public, including stonewalling Freedom of Information Act requests. After an internal review of six fatalities or near fatalities between 2021 and 2024, Morrisey said the Department of Human Services will implement a new policy mandating that certain information, including the results of investigations, be disclosed in serious child welfare cases. "You're not going to have to chase people down the hall" in obtaining case information, Morrisey said. Among the changes, Morrisey said child welfare supervisors will now be required to conduct monthly reviews of their cases, and a new intake process will be implemented for the foster care system, allowing caseworkers to contact individuals involved rather than simply relying on a case referral. He also said improvements have been made to a child welfare dashboard to allow for easier access to data. "What I can promise you today is we want to be honest, we want to be transparent and we will be accountable for what happens," Morrisey said. Serious child welfare issues have dogged West Virginia for decades. In 2014, a private boarding school for troubled youths closed in Salem after abuse allegations surfaced. Lawsuits against the former Miracle Meadows school's co-founder and its operating entities that alleged widespread sexual, physical and mental abuse were settled for tens of millions of dollars. The discovery of the emaciated body of a 14-year-old girl in her home in 2023 prompted a state investigation into whether law enforcement and child protective services could have intervened to prevent her death. The girl's mother and two grandparents were indicted on murder charges last September. In March, a couple received the maximum sentences of decades in prison for abusing their adopted children, which included heavy labor, locking them in bedrooms, forcing some to sleep on concrete floors and making them stand for hours with their hands on their heads. And a judge in February ordered that a monitor be put in place to oversee state child protective services placements in hotels and camps on Friday after a 12-year-old boy in state care attempted suicide in a hotel room. The action came the same day that a federal judge dismissed a years-long sweeping class action lawsuit against West Virginia's welfare system on behalf of foster children.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Family wanted: Sisters seek a home where they can be together and feel loved
Madison, Ra'Niah and Li'Niaha wish to be adopted together into a family that will give each of them individual attention and provide them with a safe, loving environment. The oldest, Madison, 9, likes to color and do crafts and enjoys playing outside. Madison is always up to dance and play with her sisters. She especially loves to tell them jokes and be silly together. Madison takes pride in her school projects. In fact, she is always eager to come home and share her progress from the school day. Madison hopes to be part of a family that supports her interests and hobbies. Ra'Niah, 8, loves to dance, be outside and play pretend with her friends. An overall happy child who loves to be silly, she is always eager to turn on some music for a little dance time together. In fact, Ra'Niah loves dancing so much she hopes to be a professional dancer when she grows up. The middle sister is also artistic and is very proud to share her art projects with others. Li'Niaha, 5, is known to be active and adventurous, which means she's often eager to try new activities. She loves to play with her older sisters and help them any way she can. A fan of animals, she would likely enjoy a home with a pet. Much like her sisters, Li'Niaha looks forward to playing outside. With her spunky, outgoing nature, Li'Niaha loves making new friends at daycare to play with. The three sisters would benefit from a trauma-informed family that displays patience and dedication. These sweet siblings deserve a family that can love them unconditionally in a structured home environment. At this time, only families residing within the state of Kansas are being considered. If you are interested in becoming an adoptive parent, visit the Adopt Kansas Kids website at You can also send an email to customercare@ or call 855-AdoptKS (855-236-7857). The sisters' case number is S-0026.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
North Texas family helps to raise 62 foster children in 10 years
The Brief Sandy and Win Heinrich, along with their three biological children, helped to raise 62 babies in foster care. They have a wall of photos featuring all of their foster children, along with baby books that document each child's time with the family. The couple encourages other families to get involved with fostering, which they say they got so much more out of than they gave. FORT WORTH, Texas - A Fort Worth family that has opened its home to 62 foster children over the years is being recognized during National Foster Care Awareness Month. The backstory Sandy and Win Heinrich have been parents to 62 foster children. The couple has three biological children of their own. But in 1987, they took in their first newborn, who they still keep in touch with. "We had seen a baptism at our church and there was a couple that was just beaming. And we met them afterwards when we were congratulating the family. And they were foster parents," Sandy said. That moment gave birth to a decade of fostering. "We decided God was touching our hearts to do something with our children and not wait," she said. "You can look at it easier after the fact, but we knew we wanted to do ministry, as she said, and this was a ministry we did for ten years and loved it," Win added. The Heinrich's fostered newborns from about 36 hours old to keeping some as long as six months before they were adopted. Sandy created a book for each child she mothered about their beginnings. "And it started from the moment I brought the baby home from the hospital to placement day," she said. "There's a daily log that she wrote out. What's something special that happened that day. It may have been one of our kids holding the baby, cherishing it to going to Easter Sunday or whatever it may be that was special," Win said. The couple and their three children made it their mission to give each newborn a loving start in life. "It was important for us because this was a major part of our life with our family. It was a family ministry and our children were so involved. They've grown from doing this," Sandy said. What you can do The Heinrich's now call the Stevenson Oaks Senior Living Center their home. While the sounds of crying babies are gone, the love they felt is still part of their home in a wall of family portraits. For National Foster Care Awareness Month, they're encouraging others to become foster parents so that they may experience the same joy they did. "We never knew how it would touch our lives either, because we got back so much more than we gave," Sandy said. The Source FOX 4's Shaun Rabb gathered information for this story by interviewing Sandy and Win Heinrich.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Community invited to share positive messages at future CASA office site
The community is invited to take part in a special event this weekend to support CASA for Hunt County, an organization dedicated to advocating for children in foster care. The public is encouraged to visit the future site of the organization's permanent home to write blessings, hopes or kind thoughts on the building's wooden framework before the walls go up. The event will take place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon and again on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. at 2701 Washington St. in Greenville. Attendees can bring a favorite pen or marker to leave a message, though supplies will also be available on site. Messages can include prayers, quotes or any words of encouragement for CASA staff, board members, volunteer advocates and the children they serve. CASA volunteers work to ensure children in foster care find safe, permanent homes. The new office space will help the nonprofit continue and expand its mission in Hunt County. For more information, email casa@
