JUSTGeorgia/CASA Day at the Capitol was once again a very successful event. Over 250 CASA staff, board members and volunteers from across the state, along with JUSTGeorgia coalition members and foster youth from EmpowerMEnt, met with their legislators to ask for support of the Child Protection & Public Safety Act (the Children's Code Rewrite) as well as to talk about the issues facing abused and neglected children. The event included remarks by Giovan Bazana (a former foster youth), a legislative briefing, a group photo with Governor and Mrs. Nathan Deal (pictured), and a thank you luncheon for legislators to conclude the day. The luncheon was attended by 39 legislators.

Multiple studies have found that children in foster care are vulnerable to inappropriate or excessive use of psychotropic medication. Advocating for and presiding over cases involving children and teens in foster care who may have mental health disorders requires a solid understanding of the positive and negatives aspects of medication use. The ABA Center on Children and the Law has released "Psychotropic Medication and Children in Foster Care: Tips for Advocates and Judges," which addresses issues including: common child and adolescent mental health diagnoses; benefits, drawbacks and side effects of psychotropic medication; and questions that judges and advocates should ask about medication use. The brief is free and available online at the center's website. We have also posted this report, along with other resources for volunteers, in the "Health" section of our [National CASA] online Volunteer Resource Library.

Georgia CASA Conference - Saturday, March 10th 

The 2012 Georgia CASA Conference, I Am for the Child, will take place on March 10th at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta. Over 400 CASA volunteers, staff and board members from across the state attend each year. The conference will include more than 20 workshops over three workshop blocks, a special CASA volunteer recognition ceremony, networking opportunities and inspiring keynote speaker Chadwick Sapenter. Mr. Sapenter is a former foster youth, author and Texas CASA spokesperson. Registration for the conference is now open. Be sure to register by February 24th for the $40 rate if you are affiliated with a CASA program (rate increases to $50 afterwards).  The rate is $65 for non-CASA affiliated persons. Click here for more information and to register!