Child Advocates, Inc. Review

Instrested in becoming an advocate.. To see what they actually do for the children

I have been a volunteer for 4 years and I haven't experienced anyone lying, conniving, self serving, or "happy hour" at court. Child Advocates doesn't have lawyers as one reviewer mentioned, but we don't need lawyers because we are often allowed to speak in a narrative style at court. No one else is allowed to do this. A lawyer must call a witness and ask direct questions so the witness can answer the asked question and nothing else. To speak in narrative style, we advocates get to tell the story of the family, the children, what we recommend, and why. I've been told by a caseworker from another state that advocates in her county simply visit the children. They attend court but they don't speak, only the lawyers speak. They are viewed as someone extra to visit the kids. The kids don't need only a friend, they need an advocate, who hopefully also can function as a friend. Child Advocates doesn't have the power to take anyone's children. Child Advocates is allowed to investigate the case by working with the caseworker, interviewing families, teachers, therapists, etc. They then form an opinion on what is in the best interest of the child, write a report to submit to the court, and attend the court hearing to testify and present what they have found and why. Parents are represented by their own attorneys who often ruthlessly cross examine the advocates in defense of the parents and to better support the case for the parents. I mention this because it is important to know that parents are hardly ever steamrolled by the system. This only happens if parents have a lawyer who doesn't fulfill their duties appropriately. I have seen this happen once, but it isn't the fault of Child Advocates or staff. The judge makes the decisions about placements, and if the parental rights will remain in tact or terminated. This CASA program is very involved and speaks up for children who may not be getting the attention, services, medical care, etc. that is needed. The advocates have often done everything they can to have children moved from unsafe foster homes. I have always been allowed to have my own opinions and defend why, to my Coordinator on staff. Don't let a google review determine if you want to volunteer or donate. Attend an orientation, get involved in the program and see for yourself the positive impact the staff and volunteers have on children. The advocates and staff I have been in contact with, all genuinely want parents to be able to provide a safe, stable, loving home, and will go to great lengths to support parents in their goals and services.

The child advocates here are dishonest people, rude, and if they personally don't like you they will sabotage your case no matter how much of a great parent you are they will lie in court it's so sad that these people are allowed to ruin happy family so if this company is involved in your case please record and docoment everything!

If Barbara still works there, then it's still crooked and conniving. Liars liars liars. But everyone has their day and Ms. Barbara and the rest of CA phonies will meet their maker and will be judged accordingly. On a positive note, she (Barbara) tried to take my children and place them into foster care, but God intervened just as I knew He would.

This organization is a nonprofit and what they are doing is not human. Apparently they are the ones that are separating children from their parents. People donate to these people that don't want the children to be with their parents, and they call their self helping children when in reality that's how they get people to donate to them.They are taking children from their family so they can be in the foster care system and they can so called be the hero.

If there was any way I could give -5 stars I would. Horrible organization that ruins families. No different than the child abductors they call CPS. Condescending people work for them who have no clue what it is to be a parent. My children couldn't stand the woman that was working our case. Glad they are out of our lives.

An incredible culture of dedicated and experienced people who are passionate about creating awareness within our community of child abuse. It can be overwhelming to look at Harris County's statistics of children in foster care and lose sight of how to effectively advocate within this broken system. Fortunately for our community, this organization supports people who don't have experience within the system to truly make a difference in the life of a child.

Very educational. Resources are endless for getting involved with helping children

I love child's advocate and what they are doing for the community.

This is a terribly damaging organization. The two positive reviews on other sites are obviously from CA staff. Mine is the second thoroughly negative review, and Yelp makes you work to find the first negative review. I've been involved with the CASA program throughout the country, which CA claims to be part of. They are not. CASA is an exemplary program that has attorneys in court with volunteer advocates. CA has no attorneys, and the staff are young, self serving and are damaging to children and families. CA enables the social workers for the state (court feels like happy hour, not the somber event that it is) and empowers abusive foster homes. Advocates for children are forbidden to have their own views, and present them in court. That is not how advocacy programs work. CPS cases are complex, and the volunteers who want to help are unwittingly contributing to damaging families. Please stop buying the lies that this organization is snake oil selling.

This is NOT a good organization to lend your time or funds to. There are ample worthwhile organizations that actually help hurting families. I would give negative 1,000 stars if possible, or zero, but 1 is the minimum you have to select in order to post a review.