CASA of Lexington recognized as “innovative” partner on LGBTQ+ inclusion by All Children All Families
Organization is one of seven local CASA programs nationwide to earn the highest tier of recognition
CASA of Lexington is one of seven local CASA programs in the nation recognized for innovative LGBTQ+ inclusiveness through the All Children All Families program.
The 2023 All Children All Families report from the Human Rights Campaign was released Dec. 14. It recognizes 172 partner agencies for working to improve LGBTQ+ inclusivity for foster children and families.
Fifty of those partner agencies, including CASA of Lexington, were recognized at the highest, “Innovative Inclusion” tier. Of those 50, seven are local CASA programs and one is a state CASA organization (Texas CASA).
“The work we have done at CASA of Lexington to ensure inclusiveness will help save lives. It may have already saved lives,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “LGBTQ+ children in the family court system face enormous challenges that threaten their well-being. CASA volunteers can come alongside these children, tell them they matter, and advocate for their needs. Research has shown if even one person affirms an LGBTQ+ youth like this, it can make all the difference.”
According to the 2023 ACAF report, approximately one in three children in foster care identifies as LGBTQ+. And 44% of LGBTQ+ youth in state custody ran away from home or were thrown out for reasons directly related to their identity. LGBTQ+ youth in care report higher rates of mistreatment, more frequent placement disruptions and a higher chance of being placed in residential facilities.
LGBTQ+ youth, whether in foster care or not, are also at higher risk of contemplating or attempting suicide. Research from The Trevor Project has shown that acceptance from adults is associated with lower rates of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth.
CASA volunteers visit with their assigned children regularly, talk to adults in the children’s lives and advocate for the children’s best interests in court. They help provide children with hope for the future and get children more services. They also help children return to safe, permanent homes that are far less likely to disrupt.
“This is what CASA is about: ensuring all children — no matter who they are or how they identify — can have safe homes and grow up to be happy, healthy adults,” Jamison said. “We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish, and we are already working to further improve our inclusive culture moving forward.”
This is the second year CASA of Lexington has been recognized as an innovative partner through All Children All Families. As an ACAF partner, the organization has reviewed and updated all internal policies to be inclusive, added required training for staff on LGBTQ+ inclusion, increased training options on LGBTQ+ issues for volunteers, added inclusive family benefits for employees, and more.
Across all 172 partnering agencies, more than 9,500 policies and practices were evaluated in 2023 to ensure they meet best practices criteria. An estimated 1.4 million children, youth and families across 43 states have benefited from these agencies’ work on inclusivity.
“Providing children and families with the most inclusive environment in which to grow should always be the number-one priority,” said Phii Regis, Director of the All Children All Families program. “We are grateful for CASA of Lexington’s work as part of this partnership. Together, we can win the fight for equality and build safe and loving communities at the same time.”
You can see the 2023 ACAF report at https://hrc.im/ACAFReport. You can learn more about CASA of Lexington and apply to be a CASA volunteer at www.casaoflexington.org.
The next training class for new CASA volunteers begins in Lexington on Jan. 9, with classes on evenings and weekends in January and February.