For many children and youth involved in the child welfare system, a Dallas CASA volunteer becomes one of the most consistent adults in their lives. But when a court case ends, those relationships don’t always end.
“The case has closed, but the connection between the young person and their volunteer has not closed,” said Kathleen LaValle, president and CEO of Dallas CASA.
That simple fact was the inspiration for Dallas CASA’s Exit UP program, which helps support ongoing connections between volunteers and the children, teens and young adults they have advocated for long after a court case is over.
The idea grew from a real relationship. A Dallas CASA board member had served as a volunteer advocate for a young person who reunified with his mother when he was 12 years old. Years later, as a teenager, the young man continued reaching out to his former Dallas CASA volunteer for advice and support.
Dallas CASA staff and board members recognized something important: while a court order may end a case, the need for guidance, encouragement and connection often continues. They also realized volunteers and young people could benefit from additional structure and resources to help sustain those relationships.
Today, Exit UP serves as a hub supporting the continuing relationship between a volunteer and the young person whose child welfare case has closed. Whether a case ends through reunification, adoption, permanent custody arrangements or emancipation, the program helps young people access resources and opportunities that support their growth and independence in developmentally appropriate ways.
Support looks different for every young person. Sometimes it’s funding from Dallas CASA to help with a one-time expense such as an apartment deposit. Sometimes it’s connecting a young person with resources, mentors or professional contacts who can help them achieve a goal.
One Exit UP participant pursuing an advanced degree in botany was selected for a study program in Costa Rica but couldn’t afford the travel costs. Exit UP helped make the experience possible. Another young person studying graphic arts at the University of North Texas needed a second set of art supplies so she wouldn’t have to carry large amounts of equipment back and forth between her apartment and studio each day. Exit UP helped remove that barrier so she could focus on her education.
Unlike traditional CASA advocacy, Exit UP has no court appointment and receives no government funding. The program is supported entirely through funding from a private foundation.
Dallas CASA knows that many young people who have experienced foster care continue to face challenges long after a case closes. Through Exit UP, Dallas CASA strives to ensure they still have someone to call, someone to encourage them and someone willing to help navigate life’s next steps.
The end of a court case doesn’t always mean the end of the journey.
