CASA of Lea County

Family Time Visitation Program (FTVP) is a community provider of supervised visitation and safe custody exchange services to any family who is referred via the State of New Mexico's Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD), court order, or self-referral. Via a contract with the New Mexico Administrative Offices of the Courts, FTVP provides services to families affected by domestic violence and high-conflict domestic matters on a sliding fee scale. CYFD-referred children are victims of abuse and/or neglect. FTVP provides safe contact between offending parents, who are working on their treatment plan, and their children.

CASA of Lea County's Canine Companion Program was established in December 2010. Canine, Phillip, provides emotional support and unconditional love to children in the legal system due to abuse and neglect, to child victims or witnesses of violent crimes, and to juvenile offenders. The CASA Canine Companion has many duties to fulfill in the course of a workday. In Children's Court, Phillip lends emotional support to victims of child abuse and neglect. In the same setting, he intuitively gives comfort and support to nervous CASA advocates as they prepare to stand up and speak to the Judge about what is in the best interest of the child. At CASA's Family Time Visitation Center, Phillip is a calming presence as children visit with their families, some of whom are affected by domestic violence and custody issues. Additionally, Phillip works in the Lea County Juvenile Detention Center where he brings calm and focus to child inmates as they anxiously await sentencing or transport to other detention facilities or treatment centers. During a time in their lives filled with confusion and uncertainty about their future, Phillip is a caring and welcome friend who allows them to let down their emotional guard and express their feelings.

The Court Appointed Special Advocate program (CASA) recruits and trains community volunteers to provide unbiased advocacy for foster children from birth to 18 years of age. Each of the children served are victims of abuse and/or neglect to the degree that the State of New Mexico is compelled to protect them by placing them in foster care. Since 2005 CASA volunteers and staff have stood up and provided a powerful voice for children in need of safe, permanent, nurturing homes. Children are assigned to trained volunteer advocates. For any child in the legal system waiting for their own CASA volunteer, CASA program staff provides courtroom advocacy in their best interest. The Children's Court Judge listens to and carefully considers CASA-driven recommendations and observations at each hearing called for every child in the foster care system in Lea County.