Dear CASA Volunteers,
Like you, we are paying close attention to the evolving COVID-19 situation locally and nationwide. The safety of the children we serve, our volunteers and our staff is our primary focus. We are determined to take prudent measures to help keep people safe, while attempting to avoid panic and continuing to fulfill our critical mission. We’re adjusting our practices and protocols to prioritize safety while still supporting our essential advocacy for children in need. As the situation is constantly evolving, we will continue to evaluate our practices and response, and send out regular updates.

Postponement of Milwaukee County Children's Court Hearings
Per Children's Court, all Children's Court hearings presently scheduled between 3/16/2020 through 4/03/2020 will be rescheduled. Your supervisor will be reaching out this week to discuss how cases will be rescheduled and how emergencies will be handled.

Other counties are holding virtual hearings or taking testimony by phone. You may hear of other CASA volunteers using different protocols. Each county court system has its own protocols. Children with immediate or high level safety needs have priority.


The Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services (DMCPS), other child welfare agencies and subcontractors, are waiting for the Federal Children's Bureau to set new guidelines on face to face visits regarding safety investigations and foster child in-home visits. We expect that this guidance will be issued very soon. We will keep you updated.
Please stay in touch with your supervisors about court needs and potential virtual meetings.

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families set up a COVID-19 email "hotline." The Department of Children and Families is the agency with oversight of DMCPS. If you have questions directly for the Department of Children and Families related to COVID-19, you may email DCFMBCOVID19@wisconsin.gov . DCF will provide answers to questions as they can and develop additional guidance.

Child Visits
Keeping in Touch with Your CASA Child
  • Effective immediately Kids Matter CASA is suspending all child and family visits while we individually review the COVID-19 risk to each child and volunteer. Your supervisor will contact you to discuss a specific in-person or virtual visitation plan for your child.
  • We strongly recommend video visits during the hiatus of in-person visits to verbal-aged children, and with their caregivers if the children are too young to speak. Ask the caregiver what their technology capacities are--will Skype, Zoom, Google Hangouts, or FaceTime work? If video is not possible, phone calls are fine. Your supervisor will be speaking with you directly by phone. Please share your concerns regarding your child's specific needs or concerns. We are brainstorming ways to build confidence and let our kids know how special they are to us while implementing public health guidelines.
  • Keep in mind that caregiving families are in the midst of a major adjustment for both home and work life as schools are closed overnight. Like most of us, their routines are turned upside down. As we all work together to set up alternate visits, let's stay kind and positive. Caregiving families are likely overwhelmed with foster care licensing agencies, foster care case management agencies, courts and service providers contacting them to schedule and reschedule appointments with conflicting priorities. There may be struggles to figure out school and ongoing health care needs or get clear and consistent communication.
  • Be trauma informed. The fear and anxiety about COVID-19 that many are feeling may be compounded for the children and youth we serve who have also been affected by trauma; it may trigger trauma-associated thoughts/behaviors in/from the child or create additional tension in the child’s home or placement. This is why it is vital to stay connected to our youth.

What to Say to Your CASA Child about the Visitation Change
We want our CASA children to be reassured that their volunteer will continue to be involved with them even when their daily routines have been severely disrupted.  It can be very helpful to focus on what you will do rather than what must change.
  • Emphasize that you can videochat or talk to them more frequently because they are out of school.
  • Do not dwell on the inability to visit personally. We can help you brainstorm ways to make the children feel special. We have also shared and posted resources for children on COVID-19.
  • Place responsibility for the decision on Kids Matter CASA staff and redirect older youth or caregivers to your supervisor with questions or concerns.

Health and safety are of the utmost importance. If you have any questions please reach out to the team to create a protective strategy that works for you and the kids you advocate for. Reply to this email to share your tips and ideas for staying connected and keeping kids engaged.

-- Kids Matter CASA

Previous emails related to COVID-19:
Resources for Vulnerable Families
Free and Reduced Meals for Children: Milwaukee Public Schools is setting up  20 meal pick-up sites  around the city where students can get the breakfast and lunch they normally would be fed at school. The sites will be open between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and they’ll have learning materials available for parents to take home.

Area food banks are adjusting their protocols but many are still open and providing pick-up service. Call 2-1-1 for the most up to date information.

Ideas for Keeping Kids Engaged:

Local Coronavirus Hotline
According to the Journal Sentinel, ProHealth Care has set up a 24-hour coronavirus hotline to answer questions from people who have symptoms need to seek care. The hotline phone number is 262-928-4499. Callers who need to make an appointment will be connected with a scheduler. Those needing care also may be encouraged to use ProHealth Care’s video service.

The health system also noted that people who have symptoms of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, are strongly encouraged to not visit a clinic or emergency department. They first should call the hotline or their physician’s office.