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Helping Create a Path to Success
CASA's Newest Volunteer Advocates
 | Staunton, Waynesboro, Augusta Co. Volunteers
with Judge Anita Filson |
"I have come to believe that the people in a child's life have the power to create either a path leading to success and happiness or a path leading to struggle and trials." says Amanda George, a new Volunteer Advocate for CASA.
"I feel a personal responsibility to give the support, love and nurture I have to offer because choosing not to would be sacrificing the future of children I could be helping!"
Throughout the past four months our staff was busy training new volunteers (including Amanda) for each of the regions that we serve. Fourteen compassionate individuals have dedicated their time to serve children in their community, and we are excited to have them join our team!
 | | Covington/Alleghany Volunteers |
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CASA's Newest Staff Member
National CASA Awards Expansion Grant to Hire Advocate Manager
Over the past year our staff and board focused on establishing a satellite office in the Lexington/Rockbridge area. This was accomplished in three phases:
- Securing an office location at the Rockbridge Area Community Services Board facility in Lexington.
- Receiving funding from local foundations to help offset expenses for Covington/Alleghany and Lexington/Rockbridge areas.
- Receiving a grant from National CASA to fund a part time Advocate Manager for the Lexington/Rockbridge and Covington/Alleghany region.
 | Meet Trina Welsheimer,
CASA's newest staff member. |
Because of the generous funding from National CASA, we are thrilled to introduce you to our newest staff member, Mrs. Trina Welsheimer! Trina was a volunteer in our first "graduating" class in Lexington and has been a tremendous advocate for ten children over the past three years. Her new role is to support volunteer advocates in the Lexington/Rockbrige and Covington/Alleghany areas, while Cathy Ballew supervises volunteers in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County.
Please feel free to send Trina an email to welcome her to the team!
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Cathy's Corner
Completing a Family Background Form
Meeting with parents can feel overwhelming and intimidating even if you have done it before!! Volunteers receive a "Family Background Form" to complete when they are given their case file, which consists of questions directed at each parent for each child. This tool is formatted similarly to the CASA court report.
When meeting with a parent, volunteers ask all the questions related to the parent's background, each child, and the other parent's information as well. The interview process is repeated with each parent involved in the case, and will change and grow as the case progresses; make adjustments accordingly.
The information obtained can be shared with the children's Guardian ad Litem (GAL) as well as the social worker. The more complete your background form is the easier your court report will be! Pulling all this information together and assembling a court report can take time. Our staff at CASA for Children are here to guide you through the process to assure your efforts and observations are presented to the local judges to aid them in making the best possible decisions for these vulnerable children.
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CASA Picnic
Volunteer Advocates are invited to have some fun with CASA and get to know the organization and fellow volunteers.
When: Saturday, August 13, 2:00 PM
Where: Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton (Map)
Please look for the shelter with our CASA banner.
Food and drink are provided, but feel free to bring a covered dish. Please RSVP by August 8th or contact our office for more information. We look forward to seeing you there! |
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CASA Awarded Grants
Over the past several months, we were awarded several grants for the 2011/2012 Fiscal year. Below is a list of the generous grantors who believe in what we do for children in our community: - CAPSAW
- Department of Criminal Justice Services
- Dominion Resources
- E.C. Wareheim Foundation
- Family Children and Trust
- Foundation for Roanoke Valley
- National CASA Association
- Rockbridge Community Foundation
- United Way of Greater Augusta
- United Way of Rockbridge
- Victim's of Crime Acts (Department of Social Services)
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New Advocate Training
Are you interested in becoming a Volunteer Advocate? Do you know someone who is?
Informational Meetings: Tuesday, September 6th, 6pm-7pm Friday, September 9th, 12pm-1pm Please RSVP by September 5th. Training Classes:Thursday evenings, 5:30pm-9:00pm September 20th - October25th Please visit our website or contact our office for more information.
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Advocate Institute
Below are a few opportunities for volunteer advocates to earn their annual in-service training hours.
Middle River Regional Jail Tour Sept 20th, 1:00pm - 2:30pm All volunteers are invited to attend this informational "field trip". Please RSVP by Sept 16th. CPS Investigation Procedures Sept 27th 6:00pm - 7:30pm. All volunteers are invited to learn the CPS investigation process and procedures. Presented by Nenita Fisher-Cromer, CPS Supervisor, SVDSS. Please RSVP by Sept 23rd.
Attachment Relationships Oct 4th 6:00pm - 7:30pm All volunteers are invited to learn about attachment relationships, secure and insecure and the causes and consequences of different patterns. Presented by Megan Fulcher, W&L professor. Please RSVP by Sept 29th. Justice Court System Oct 11th 6:00pm - 7:30pm All volunteers are invited to learn about the following: - Court Process: The timeline for a J&DR case (Emergency Removal to Final Hearing).
- Court Forms: The purpose of the Petition, Affidavit, Summons, etc.
- Elements of a CASA Court Report that are beneficial to the Judge and attorneys
Presented by Judge Anita Filson and DSS Attorney James Glick. Please RSVP by Sept 29th.
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How My CASA Volunteer Helped Me Flourish
Jaleesa Suell,
2010 FosterClub Outstanding Young Leader When I was 8 years old, I was removed from the custody of my mother-a drug addict-and separated from my siblings. At the time, I was living in a two-bedroom apartment with my four brothers and sisters, my mother and my grandmother in the heart of West Oakland-one of the most dangerous parts of the city, where drugs and gang violence rule the streets... ...Things changed when I was 11. That year, I was assigned a CASA volunteer. It was through her influence that I began to step out of my shell and to flourish and grow into the outgoing, confident, motivated and open-minded young woman I am today. Read More This story came from the Spring 2011 edition of "The Connection", an online magazine by NCASAA. |
CASA for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your gifts are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
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CASA Staff
Michael Nay
Executive Director
Cathy Ballew
Advocate Manager
Shelly Reitenauer
Office Support Specialist
Trina Welsheimer
Advocate Manager
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