Community Behavioral Health Agency
Introduction
Community behavioral health aims to support and value human diversity by recognizing individual differences present in the community (Bonfine et al., 2020). Community behavioral health agencies aim to develop an organizational environment that counters mental health-related stigma thu,s enhancing the positive integration of all individuals with mental health issues into the community. These agencies value innovations, quality services, client satisfaction, flexibility, and employee satisfaction. In the quest to ensure innovation, customer satisfaction, quality services, and flexibility, community behavioral health utilizes community agencies. This essay will describe a community behavioral health agency. It will convey its mission, vision, and services offered by the selected agency. In addition, it will address social justice issues and the sociopolitical pressures that might influence this agency. The community behavioral agency discussed in this essay is the Courts Appointed Special Advocates Guardians and Litem (CASA/GAL)
CASA/GAL
CASA/GAL has started advocating for children since 1977. The mission of CASA/GAL is to “The National CASA/GAL Association, together with state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.” (CASA/ GAL, 2019). Its vision is “A world where every child who has experienced abuse or neglect is given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.” (CASA/GAL, 2019). The CASA/ GAL agency has several values that guide its operations. They include adaptability, collaboration, respect, quality, integrity, service, and stewardship (CASA/GAL, 2019).
CASA/GAL volunteers are appointed judges to serve as advocates for the best interests of children (CASA/GAL, 2019). These volunteers stay appraised of each until its conclusion, and the children have been placed in safe and permanent homes. This agency serves children from birth to the age defined by legal statutes that children should remain in care. The CASA/GAL volunteers collaborate with child welfare and legal professionals, service providers, and educators to ensure that judges have the accurate information required to make informed decisions concerning the interests of the children (CASA/GAL, 2019). This advocacy is guided by the principle that children can grow and develop well with their primary family if possible. It works with children in foster care and those with their original families. The volunteers report what they have seen to the judges, collaborate with others to ensure the children’s interests are maintained, recommend where the children can be placed, and engage with them during visits.
Social Justices
The main aim of CASA/GAL is to advocate for children who are victims of abuse and neglect at the community and national levels. CASA/GAL helps address the effects of trauma, abuse, and neglect on children (CASA/GAL, 2019). Trauma and abuse can negatively impact children’s mental and physical health and academic achievement, among others. CASA/GAL volunteers help these children to build resilience that will enable them to tackle these impacts. The volunteers also work with the children to help them find a safe and stable home. They listen and talk to the children to determine what they need to heal.
The volunteers also identify barriers that stop families from engaging in these services and find ways of eliminating them. They are culturally competent, creating a supportive environment for families from all backgrounds. They try to connect the child with the extended family, giving them unconditional love and a sense of belonging. CASA/LAG help children to develop throughout their life. They support early development, advocate for placement to appropriate educational services, and help the youth prepare for independent living (CASA/GAL, 2019). The National CASA/GAL uses evidence and data obtained through research to grow its efforts to advocate for children. It conducts independent studies which evaluate the effectiveness of its advocacy programs.
At the local level, CASA/Gal provides educational materials that increase public awareness of the organization’s role. This helps it to get volunteers done. The national association’s fundamental role is to obtain federal funding to build its capacity to meet its mission and goals (CASA GAL, 2019). It also strengthens relationships with like-minded partners. In addition, they develop a standardized curriculum that trains and supports the volunteers and staff to realize positive outcomes for the children (CASA GAL, 2019). Furthermore, they have developed a good working relationship at the state, federal, legislative, and judicial levels, which helps them further their agenda. The national association also develops activities for local organizations.
Social-Political Pressures
The first political pressure this agency may face is policies developed by the state and the federal government (Feely et al., 2020). This agency needs financial aid from the government to operate. Guidelines set by the government determine how programs run within the United States. The government can create policies that serve as a barrier in CASA/GAL advocating for children at the local and national levels. The second political pressure is the judicial system. This agency collaborates with other professionals to advocate for children. The judges may be corrupt or complacent in giving rulings that favor the victim of abuse and neglect. This can significantly harm the ability of this organization to advocate for the children.
The other social influence that can influence this agency is public concern for significant reforms in the welfare system for children. The foster population is significantly growing, and hence, there can be a lack of a continuum of care for children in the welfare system. It is believed to be emotionally unhealthy and unstable to leave a child in foster care, which will not lead to family unification.
Conclusion
This essay discusses CASA/GAL, a behavioral community agency that helps neglected and abused children. The paper discussed the mission, vision, and services offered by this agency. If further discussed, how it helps solve social justice and financial the social and political pressures that may influence its activity.
References
Bonfine, N., Wilson, A. B., & Munetz, M. R. (2020). Meeting the needs of justice-involved people with serious mental illness within community behavioral health systems. Psychiatric services, 71(4), 355-363.
CASA/GAL. (2019). Mission, Vision, and Values. Retrieved July 30, 2021, received from: https://casaforchildren.org/our-work/mission-vision-and-values/
Feely, M., Raissian, K. M., Schneider, W., & Bullinger, L. R. (2020). The social welfare policy landscape and child protective services: Opportunities for and barriers to creating systems synergy. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 692(1), 140-161. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716220973566
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Question 
Community Behavioral Health Agency
Explain the mission, vision, and services provided by the agency.
Explain how the agency helps address the social justice issues in the community on a micro or macro level.
Discuss sociopolitical pressures that may influence this agency.
The paper must include a minimum of two credible sources.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the title before beginning the work to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
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Benchmark Information
This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies:
BS Behavioral Health Science
5.2: Examine internal and external multi-disciplinary teams in behavioral health.
5.3: Analyze local and national behavioral health service entities.