Dr. Phil and Robin Named Spokespersons for National CASA’s Forgotten Children Campaign

SEATTLE, WA (May 27, 2008) – Psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw, the host of the very successful syndicated daytime talk show DR. PHIL, and his wife Robin McGraw, bestselling author and frequent contributor to DR. PHIL, have been named official spokespersons for the Forgotten Children campaign, it was announced today by National CASA chief executive officer Michael Piraino.

For too many Americans, children in foster care are all but forgotten. National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association intends to change that with the May launch of the national campaign Forgotten Children, created to raise awareness of foster children and to aid in the recruitment of much- needed CASA volunteer advocates who work together with the court system in the best interests of foster children.

Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw have a long-standing interest in improving the lives of foster children, and putting family first. On May 28th, Michael Piraino will join the McGraws on a special episode of DR. PHIL (check local listings) to announce their participation in the campaign, and to issue a challenge to all viewers who they hope will be inspired to help.

“We very much appreciate the wonderful foster parents who give children who need it a soft place to land,” Dr. McGraw said. “But not everyone can make that kind of commitment. We want kind and caring people to know there is still a way to help – and that is by becoming trained as a CASA special advocate to be the eyes and ears of the court.”

Added Robin McGraw: “Last year, CASA advocates represented 243,000 children, and that number is truly admirable, but there are only enough volunteers to help half the youth in the system. When Phillip and I heard that, we knew we had to lend our support to raise awareness and attract more volunteers to help CASA with what they do best – giving a voice to a foster child who otherwise may not have a voice.”

According to Mr. Piraino, it is National CASA’s hope that by putting the spotlight on the nation’s 513,000 foster youth in need of support, potential volunteers as well as financial donors will come forward to help. With a network of over 954 program offices nationwide, CASA recruits, trains and supervises volunteer adult advocates who help foster children find safe, permanent homes where they can thrive. CASA volunteers also help to alleviate the constant upheaval faced by foster children. Research shows that children with a CASA volunteer are substantially less likely to be in long-term foster care, defined as three years or longer. When a CASA volunteer is involved, a child is less likely to move from home to home, and they are 95% less likely to re-enter the foster care system.

“Broader awareness, more volunteers, and additional financial support are needed to expand this vital advocacy for all children in need,” Piraino said. “These children deserve more from us as a nation. With Dr. Phil and Robin’s support, we hope The Forgotten Children campaign will make CASA the most well-known child advocacy organization in the country.”

The Forgotten Children campaign kicked off May 19th with a dramatic display of 4,250 life size cutouts of children placed in the shadows of The Washington Monument, representing each child who entered the foster care system in that week alone. The campaign will continue throughout the next year, helping to raise awareness on a local level for CASA programs across the nation. The overall goal is to help raise $2.9 million that will go to fund local program growth and sustainability. Ultimately, National CASA hopes to use these funds to help provide a caring volunteer advocate to an additional 75,000 abused and neglected children.