CASA: ‘CHINO’ IS LOOKING FOR HIS FOREVER HOME

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The Child Advocates of Navarro County is present in all facets of the work for children in Navarro County.

Jenny Bratton, the Executive Director of the NAV CAC and CASA programs, is blessed to do the excellent work she does daily. She stated, “I am blessed in my profession. I get to work with amazing men and women who give their time, talents, and efforts to serve as CASA volunteers for children in the foster care system.”

She boasts, “One of those amazing people is Kay Smith. She is our longest serving CASA volunteer and has been assigned to work with more children than anyone else.”

Chino, her latest child in need, is a 13-year-old Hispanic boy. He belongs to a big sibling group, and while caring families are adopting his siblings, Chino still has not found his Forever Home.

One way to do this is to enter his picture and story into a Heart Gallery or The Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE) website posting, which helps to get a child’s story in front of potential adoptive families.

The need to get a good picture of Chino was the first step.

Reaching out to NavCo Chronicle Publisher, Kris Smith, Bratton asked for her help with taking an official photo of Chino.

Bratton stated, “I am lucky enough to call Kris Smith, a friend. Being Kris, she immediately agreed to do this for our kiddo. She arranged for her fantastic photographer, Danielle Dominguez, to take some pictures for us.”

Danielle, one of the talented photographers on staff at NavCo, met with Jenny one sunny afternoon at the CASA headquarters in Corsicana.

It was then that Jenny had a fantastic idea – since we would be sharing Chino’s story in a Heart Gallery/TARE, why not in the newspaper too?

It has not been done, but why not?

After chatting with Chino’s Empower (a privatized version of CPS) caseworker, Dana Roberson, about the potential story, she ran it up through her chain of command and they agreed. Jenny then asked Chino how he felt about the idea. He quickly responded, “Let’s go for it!”

ABOUT CHINO –

Chino was never an only child. He and his siblings were separated into foster care. They were separated when they came into foster care. Sadly, this happens all too often with big sibling groups. His sisters went to one home, and his little brothers to another. Both families are amazing, and his siblings are all very happy and are in the process of being adopted.

As part of a CPS case, keeping sibling visits happening is a regular part of the case. His case workers, his CASA volunteer, the Judge, and the families with the siblings all worked hard to keep the connection.

Bratton says, “It has worked; the kids are all very connected and love each other. Each of the adoptive families wants to keep the connections. Now we just need to find a family for Chino so that he too can have a forever home. He needs a very special family – one that wants to adopt him and that is open to keeping the relationships with his biological siblings intact.”

Chino is a terrific big brother, plays football, the clarinet and would love to learn to play the piano or other instruments.

He loves to cook and if professional football isn’t in his future, he might become a chef.

He has an upbeat personality and the confidence needed for an athlete or a celebrity chef!

He is bilingual and would love a home where he could keep that a part of his life.

He is ready to love a family and to be a part of it.