Greetings!
As spring approaches, we are busily settling in our new building, and what a difference! There is plenty of parking and so much room inside for meetings, trainings and our other needs. The CASA staff thanks all those responsible for making it possible for us to have this fabulous new facility and serve the community and its valuable children.
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We're In!
 If you went to the old CASA building on Virginia, you were met with a sign saying we moved. With a combined effort of staff, volunteers and a myriad of workers, we are happily settling into our new home at 101 E. Davis St., just about a block from our old location. The April advocate training class will have room to spare with ample parking right in front and a top-notch training room, complete with moveable tables, electric large screen for presentations and kitchen for preparing meals. Many of the furnishings and perks were donated, for which we are extremely grateful. There is still work to be done on the exterior, but we invite each of you to visit us for a look.
[Photos: The new David and Tina Craig lobby is shown top and middle and the visitation room, decorated and furnished by Junior League of Plano, bottom. The move to the new facility was completed March 2.] |
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Artist Captures Judge
 Collin County District Court Judge Cynthia Wheless has been captured in time by a CASA advocate. CASA Advocate June Slagle, a talented portrait artist formerly in the motion picture industry, painted the portrait of the Judge, who sits in the 417th District Court.
Working from sittings and photographs, June painted the large work and displayed it at the CASA Gala in February, unseen by the judge until she arrived at the event.
"It's like looking in the mirror," Judge Wheless said as she admired the work.
The portrait will hang in the Collin County District Courthouse on Bloomdale Road in McKinney.
[Photos: Judge Cynthia Wheless, left and June Slagle, right, admire the portrait of the judge at the February CASA gala.] |
Committee Tees Off For Tourney
Spring days are coming fast and members of the CASA for Kids Golf Tournament are planning for the June 1 event at Gentle Creek Golf Club in Prosper.
The yearly event is a major CASA fundraiser, with Board Member Jim Gilligan serving as chair. Channel 8 WFAA-TV Sports Anchor Joe Trahan is celebrity chair who will play in the tournament and greet guests at the VIP Party for sponsors hosted by Steve Fields Steak & Lobster Lounge.
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Advocates Meet Legislators 
CASA advocates and staff from around the state dressed in blue and traveled to Austin for CASA Blue Ribbon Day at the Capitol last month. Advocates Virginia Barrett and Margaret O'Neill were among the group that met with Collin County Legislators Brian McCall, Jerry Madden, Florence Shapiro and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.
Advocates and staff are requesting support for the CASA network for
additional funding to provide more CASA volunteers for children in Child Protective Services care.
CASA of Collin County is one of a handful of CASAs in the state that represents 100 percent of children removed from their homes. Reductions in Victims of Crime Acts (VOCA) funding and a sluggish economy threaten to undermine CASA dollars in serving as Guardian ad Litems for county children.
The Texas legislature has mandated all children in state care receive either a CASA advocate or Guardian ad Litem. Without CASA providing free services, the county would need to hire attorneys to fulfill this law. In CollinCounty, based on a beginning attorney's salary, this would cost the county $4.3M based on serving 750 children per year.
[Pictured left to right: Virginia Barrett, CASA advocate, State Representative Brian McCall, Margaret O'Neil, CASA advocate and Vicki Magee, former CASA of Collin County Executive Director and current Administration Manager of Texas CASA. ] |
Advocate Training Begins in April
 If you are looking for a volunteer position working with children when they need you most, a CASA Advocate is the perfect match.
Training classes are held four times a quarter and are 30 hours, one Saturday and the remainder, weeknight evenings with dinner provided. On the last session, new advocates are presented the court's expectations by a judge at the Collin County Courthouse, and are treated to a celebratory dinner at Rockfish in McKinney.
CASA advocates need to complete each class and commit to serve for at least one year to remain a constant in the lives of the children in their cases while they look for permanency.
A new class is beginning in April. If you are ready for this most important volunteer opportunity, please see our website, or contact Dianne McCall, 972-529-2272, extension 108. |
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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
 Next month is observed as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Unfortunately, child abuse must be prevented every month.
Yes, there is child abuse in Collin County. It covers every zip code and every income bracket. Unfortunately, these are only the reported cases. Could it be happening in your neighborhood?
There are many kinds of child abuse. In Collin County, as throughout the United States, the number one reason for removing a child from his/her home is neglect. More children die from neglect than from other forms of child abuse.
What is neglect? It is an ongoing pattern of inadequate, age-appropriate care evidenced by parents who appear to be indifferent to the child's needs.
How can you spot it? Here are the signs:
- Poor weight gain
- Receives significantly less attention from parents than his/her peers
- Poor hygiene
- May need medical or dental care
- Not dressed appropriately for the weather or situation
- Frequently absent from school
- May steal food
The effects of neglect are staggering on society as the child grows.
They include:
- Feeling unworthy to interact with peers
- Poor academic achievement
- Anxious and insecure
- Unhealthy bodies and teeth
- Substance abuse
- Deficits in coping skills
- Criminal behavior
And the most deleterious behavior of all - neglecting their own children thus perpetuating this problem. Child neglect poses one of the greatest threats to children's healthy growth.
Learn to spot the signs and help stop neglect. | |
We hope you enjoyed your personal issue of The CASA Advocate. If you know someone that would be interested in hearing about us, please forward them a copy. Questions and comments are always welcome and may be sent to enews@casaofcollincounty.org.
Sincerely,
CASA of Collin County |
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Enjoy Spring and Benefit CASA |
Celebrate the advent of spring and benefit CASA at the Heard Nature and Science Museum and Animal Sanctuary, McKinney, Saturday, March 28 from 9 a.m. until noon.
There are three trails: one-half mile, open to strollers; one mile, and a mile and a half. Also included are complimentary breakfast, live entertainment, children's activities, t-shirt, water bottle, museum admittance and a chance to experience the Heard Ropes Course.
CASA will have a table at the event along with other nonprofits in the area. To sign up, obtain a map and find out more information, please click here. |
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CASA STORE
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| Original, handmade CASA lanyards are great for anyone who wears an ID card. These cute and colorful badge holders feature polymer clay beads of children's faces and are available only through CASA programs.
Priced at only $14, they separate and can also serve as key chains.
The CASA store also offers bracelets from the beads, watches and magnets as well as the original CASA t-shirt, designed by and available only from CASA of Collin County.
For a look at the original items, shop here.
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