4 The Children

Background Statement

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Southwest originated as CASA of the Four Corners, which was founded in 2003 to serve children adjudicated dependent and neglected in Montezuma and Dolores counties, as well as the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe. On July 1, 2015, CASA of the Southwest established its own board of directors with independent financial oversight. In February of 2017, CASA of the Southwest signed an MOU with county commissioners in La Plata and Archuleta Counties as well as their respective County Departments of Human Services and started serving the 6th Judicial District, in addition to the 22nd Judicial District. In March of 2017, full National CASA membership was awarded. In June of 2017, the Board of Directors for CASA of the Southwest voted to create an umbrella organization, 4 The Children (4TC), in order to provide more services for children and families in Southwest Colorado. The umbrella organization was created in order to continue CASA services and expand, creating the Supervised Exchange and Parenting Time (SEPT) Program. In September of 2017, the first families in La Plata County were served by 4TC’s Supervised Exchange and Parenting Time (SEPT) program. As the number of people in need of services grew, it became apparent that the program was needed in Archuleta and San Juan County as well. In February of 2019, the first family in Archuleta was served. In the summer of 2020, 4 The Children was approached by the District Attorney for the 6th Judicial District with the request to open and establish a Child Advocacy Center (CAC). In the fall of 2021, 4TC obtained an affiliate level membership with the National Children’s Alliance, and officially opened in the spring of 2022.