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Recent News
National CASA's 2010 Public Policy Agenda
The National CASA Board of Trustees approved the 2010 policy agenda at its April 17 meeting in Atlanta. We encourage Congress to act on ten proposals. Read more.
The President's Proclamation for Foster Care Month
President Barack Obama proclaimed May 2010 as National Foster Care Month. He called upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities to honor and
support young people in foster care as well as recognize the committed adults who work on their behalf each day. Read the proclamation.
New Podcast: Share a Story
At the 2010 National CASA Conference, four advocates from our network shared a story at our closing general session about their volunteer work. This week's podcast is a recording of Dee Horn from Fulton County CASA, Georgia, who shares a story about his volunteer advocacy work.
You can subscribe to our podcast for free on iTunes. (To download iTunes, visit apple.com/itunes.) If you do subscribe, please write a review to increase our visibility.
Canines4Kids
"When life is pretty cruddy, a furry, faithful, face-licking friend can be a kid's best buddy..."
Join us in Hiking the Appalachian Trail April 5, 2010-November 8, 2010. The premise of Canines4Kids' hike remains to create awareness and a volunteer recruitment opportunity for as many offices as possible throughout the country so that our 500,000+ kids in the system can all have representation in their dependency cases.
You can follow the progress of their hike on Facebook. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact Therese Miller at theresem@apowerfulvoice.org. For more information, please view the Canines4Kids website by clicking here.
In a Child's Best Interest
Source: Brenda Showalter, The Republic
Barb Warner and Anne Pringle
When Barbara Warner was thinking about becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate, she knew the work would be stressful at times, but she felt an overwhelming desire to help children who have been abused and neglected.
"I love kids, love kids," said Warner, who spends about three hours a week in her volunteer role.
Warner has a full-time job at a local pharmacy, but her flexible hours and a supportive boss allow her to take time to represent a child involved in a child welfare case in Bartholomew County courts.
A mother of two and grandmother of one, Warner hates hearing stories about children being mistreated or being caught up in difficult family circumstances through no fault of their own.
(Read More)
Music an Inspiration to CASA Supporters
Source: Barbara King, North Vernon Plain Dealer and Sun
The Spring into Action Benefit Concert for Forgotten Children demonstrated the support and concern local residents have for abused and neglected children abused.
Along the way, the local CASA event, organized by Darlene Bradshaw, Carolyn Doxsee and Sherida Moore, managed to raise $5000 and set a new standard for CASA events.
Perhaps more important than the money raised, one new volunteer stepped forward to be a child's voice as (s)he navigates the court system. Right now, there are 94 abused and neglected children here in Jennings County waiting for a CASA to be assigned to them.
It is hard to describe how important the CASA is in determining the ultimate decision of where the child should be placed or whether the child should be reunited with their parent(s), Judge Jon Webster told the large crowd of supporters assembled at the Park Theatre.
(Read More)
Advocates Help Provide Voice in Court for Children
Source: Barbara King, North Vernon Plain Dealer and Sun
There are 17 Advocates in Jennings County.
Advocates for Children non-profit program gives a voice to children whose fate lies in the court system. Many of these children are abused or neglected or have families that cannot take care of them. Through their own investigation and their relationship with the child, the Advocate ensures the youth's feelings and best interests are taken into consideration as the judge makes a final determination as to what is in the best interest of the child(ren).
"CASAs are the foot soldiers of the juvenile system, the individuals who do the hard and vital work necessary for judges to make informed decisions," explains Jennings County Circuit Court Judge Jon Webster.
Reunification with the parent is the long term goal, though not always possible.
There seems to be a universal reason why volunteers devote approximately 10 hours a month to this program. as Joe Gootee puts it, "I saw this as an opportunity to help children who have had a hard time in life so far and to just make sure that they knew they had someone that would help them."
The experience has since proved "very rewarding," he notes.
(Read More)
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