Georgia CASA Connector E-Newsletter              Spring 2012

Georgia CASA is committed to maintaining a network of well-administered affiliate programs that operate independently with mutual accountability, resulting in the highest level of advocacy for all of Georgia's deprived children.

In This Issue
What's a CASA?/Where's the CASA?
Celebration of Excellence
Events Wrap-up
Donors for the Quarter
FY2011 Annual Report
  
View  Georgia CASA's fiscal year 2011 Annual Report. 
Events Calendar

  


6/13: Celebration of Excellence (20th Anniversary)
 
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Campaign Donate Picture
What's a CASA?/Where's the CASA?

By Stephen Ott, Attorney (Fayetteville, GA) and Municipal Court Judge (Peachtree City, GA)

 

Having served as the special appointed attorney general (SAAG) representing the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) for over eight years and also serving as guardian ad litem (GAL) for close to three years, I have experienced quite a few changes designed to improve the system we use to protect our children. One such change was implemented in the Griffin Judicial Circuit by the late Honorable Terry Schell; the most compassionate judge to have sat on the bench.

 

All of us that make our living in Juvenile Court started hearing a rumor that we were going to get a CASA program. Of course, change is scary; the question was immediately, "What's a CASA?" The rumor mill spun constantly like a well oiled machine. Guardians believed the CASA would replace them. As the SAAG, I determined that the CASA would be there to provide over watch of my client, DFCS. Of course no lawyer wants more oversight. I also believed that a CASA would be just someone else in the courtroom that I had to convince my client was right. Court clerks thought that the CASA would be yet someone else wanting copies, calendars, and other pesky things. No one was quite sure, "What's a CASA?"

 

CASA arrived. I recall hearing the greeting, "What's a CASA?" often in the courtroom. Also often overheard was "We don't need a CASA on this one." Abundantly patient Judge Schell began appointing CASA volunteersVolunteer with child picture anyway. I can only imagine how difficult the task must have been for those early CASAs. Court was held and the CASAs were not notified; children moved and the CASAs were not told; and children returned without CASA involvement. CASAs were appointed, but all of us with a "vested" interest in juvenile court remained skeptical and I am sure, perhaps inadvertently, impeded the program. The CASAs stuck with it. They came to court, wanted or not. They submitted reports, wanted or not. VOLUNTEERS fought the fight to be allowed to enter into the heart wrenching fight for children. Continued...click here to finish reading article.

Celebration of Excellence Celebrates 20 Years!

 

On the night of June 13th at the Georgia State Rialto Theatre in Atlanta, the 20th annual graduation event and scholarship program - the Celebration of Excellence - will be held to recognize the educational achievements of over 350 youth in Georgia's foster care system who are graduating from high school, vocational school, college and GED programs. This very inspiring event always includes several foster youth sharing their success stories as they walk across the stage to receive their graduation 'diplomas.' Celebrities that have been at the event in the past have included Grammy award winning artist NeYo, former Governor and Mrs. Sonny Perdue, TV personality and former foster youth Victoria Rowell, Atlanta Falcons football players and several other TV and radio personalities.

  

The Celebration of Excellence is supported by many community partners who strongly believe in helping foster youth overcome the traditional obstacles to graduating from high school and institutions of higher education. CASA youth who are graduating often take part in the Celebration of Excellence. You are encouraged to attend and/or provide your support - you will be inspired by how far all of these foster youth have come in their educational journies! For more information, visit this web site.

 
Georgia CASA Events Wrap-up

Georgia CASA Conference 

The 2012 Georgia CASA Conference, I Am for the Child, took place on March 10th at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta. Sponsored in part by the Supreme Court of Georgia's Committee on Justice for Children, over 400 CASA volunteers, staff, board members and others who work in child welfare from across the state networked and had the chance to attend a selection of 21 workshops. A big thank you goes out to our workshop speakers - from local, state and national levels - who donated their time and expertise. The 2011 CASA Volunteer of the Year in Georgia, Pamela Berger, was awarded at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon that included inspiring keynote speaker Chadwick Sapenter. At the Opening Session, SOWEGA CASA was given the Established Program Award of Excellence and CASA of Houston County was given the Innovative Program Award of Excellence.

 

Pictured above: Pamela Berger (2011 Volunteer of the Year in Georgia) with Judge William Schneider (Nominator); Pictured at right: Chadwick Sapenter (keynote speaker) with Duaine Hathaway (Georgia CASA Executive Director). View more pictures from the conference on Georgia CASA's Facebook page.                             

 

Georgia CASA Luncheon & Fashion Show and Preview Party

2012 Gentlemen's Committee_Preview Party
The 8th annual Georgia CASA Luncheon & Fashion Show took place on March 28th at Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta with over 200 attendees. First Lady of Georgia Sandra Deal was the honoree and keynote speaker. Ted Hall of 11Alive/WXIA-TV Atlanta, was the moderator. Guests enjoyed models wearing attire from G. Gilbert (women) and Guffey's of Atlanta (men). Seven prize packages were raffled off as part of the event. The event raised $20,500. Additionally, a Preview Party to the event, hosted by a Gentlemen's Committee, was held on March 15th at the home of Board member Robert T. Thompson, Jr., and his wife Courtney. 

 

 2012 Luncheon & Fashion ShowPictured above: Gentlemen's Committee at Preview Party; Pictured at right: Mrs. Sandra Deal (center) with Becky Wallis (Event Chair-Elect), Barbara Propst Muirhead (Event Chair), Marie Hannon (Board Chair) and Duaine Hathaway (Executive Director). View more pictures from both events on Georgia CASA's Facebook page. 

  

 

 

 

 

Affiliate Program Highlights 
Several affiliate CASA programs in Western Georgia were the beneficiaries of Valentines for Kids. Hosted by The Joy FM (93.3) radio station, 60,000 valentine cards were donated by listeners and given by the station to several organizations that work with foster children. All CASA children served by Advo-Kids CASA, Carroll County CASA, Coweta CASA, Children's Voice: CASA and CASA of Troup & Heard Counties received Valentines.
 
Hall-Dawson CASA in Gainesville has arranged for free professional services, such as counseling and orthdontic work, to be provided for some CASA children at the request of the local Department of Family & Children Services. 
 
Advo-Kids CASA in Griffin, and Savannah/Chatham County CASA in Savannah, have ongoing series of facilitated peer round tables for CASA volunteers. The peer round tables have proven to be very popular, as CASA volunteers find it very beneficial to compare notes and trade suggestions on how to handle CASA case challenges. Many CASA volunteers have reported that learning from each other is one of the best in-service training opportunities available.
Thank You to Our Donors for Winter 2012
Our donors help Georgia CASA to have a significant impact onGirl Campaign Photo the work of our affiliate CASA programs statewide. We would like to especially thank our donors for Winter 2012! The listing includes those who made raffle ticket and/or centerpiece purchases at the Luncheon & Fashion Show on March 28th. Thank you for supporting the work of CASA volunteers in Georgia.

 

Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates, Inc. (Georgia CASA) develops and supports court-sanctioned, community-based programs that provide trained and supervised volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court deprivation proceedings. Currently, 47 affiliate programs throughout the state serve 140 counties. Last year, over 8,700 children were served by 2,100 CASA volunteers. 

  www.gacasa.org
404.874.2888 or 800.251.4012
fax 404.874.2889
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