When an abused or neglected child/youth is removed from their home by the Indiana Department of Child Services it can be a sudden and traumatic event.  Quite often the child/youth will only be able to take the few things that they can carry with them, if anything at all, as they are moved to an emergency foster home for their own protection.

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The CASA Care Program provides backpacks to these abused and neglected child/youth filled with age-appropriate items including toys, books, crayons, toiletries, pajamas, clothing, diapers, baby powder, deodorant, feminine products, etc.  The backpacks are given to the child/youth or the foster placement by the social workers at the time of removal from the home.

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In this tremulous time for the child/youth, having a few necessities and niceties along with the knowledge that someone cares about their well-being can help them deal with the immediate disruption and confusion that they are experiencing.

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Currently, the following items are needed:

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• Toothbrushes/Toothpaste

• Combs/Hair Brushes/Hair Ties

• Shampoo/Body Wash/Deodorant

• Feminine Hygiene Products

• Disposable Diapers (All Sizes) & Wipes

• Diaper Creme

• Nursing Bottles/Pacifiers

• Comforters/Blankets

• Socks/Underwear/Pajamas (Boys & Girls)

• Clothing (All ages and sizes) (Boys & Girls)

• Jackets/Coats/Winter Caps

• Face Masks 

• Books (All age levels)

• Journals/Pens/Markers/Crayons

• Craft Materials/Puzzles/Stuffed Animals 

• Backpacks

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To learn other ways you can make a positive impact on the lives of abused and neglected children in Washington County through the CASA Cares Program, email Amber Colwell at amber.colwell@casawc.org.