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AS AN INFANT, JAYDEN COULD NOT SPEAK FOR HIMSELF

young aa boy on swing

 

Jayden was just a baby when Child Protective Services asked relatives to care for him. His mom and dad were frequent drug users. His dad abused his mother, and CPS knew Jayden was in danger, too. However, CPS soon learned that the relatives routinely left Jayden alone with his mom and dad. Because the relatives failed to keep him safe, CPS placed Jayden in foster care.   

    

Jayden's parents' addictions and tumultuous relationship consumed them, and they stopped working to get their lives on track. Sadly, Jayden's mother vanished. Jayden was 6 months old, had lived in three different homes and his family had given up on him.    

Fortunately, CASA volunteer Alisha was appointed to help find a safe home for Jayden as quickly as possible. Alisha looked at all possible outcomes, including the opportunity for adoption, to ensure that Jayden would be part of a permanent, loving family.

 

After evaluating the options, Alisha helped everyone see that adoption was the best hope for Jayden to have a healthy life. His foster family wanted to adopt Jayden, and Alisha was able to illustrate for the court that Jayden was happy and thriving in their home. Jayden's adoption was completed last fall, and he is now happy and safe with his new family.

CONGRATULATIONS NEW CASA VOLUNTEERS
2.22.13 swearing in
New CASA volunteers are sworn in Feb. 22.

Congratulations to the following individuals who completed the Dallas CASA training class in February to become CASA volunteers. CASA volunteers are desperately needed to help abused and neglected children find permanent, loving homes where they can thrive. These volunteers will make a critical difference in children's lives.

 

jan 2013 vol class
The first training class of 2013 with the Hon. William Mazur.

 

Sophia Admani * Helen Bateman * James Cartier * Andrew Casson * Stacey Chase * Vallerie Dontes * Monica Duarte * Mark Farrell * Brianna Giordani * Brittany Gomez * Chelsea Green * Cynthia Hendricks * Valerie Hewitt * Veronica Lee * Ed Lynch * Jill Lynch * Frank Morris * Winston Morris * Jennifer Nollkamper * Hope Palacio * Janet Pearson * Sanna Rahman * Tara Rao * Tracy Rich * Karen Robbins * Salvador Salinas * Tyler Shin * Lynn Shoemate * Jody Thompson * Linde Thompson * Khirstin Two Crow * Brenda Wooldridge

TEXAS CASA LEADS ADVOCACY EFFORTS AT THE CAPITOL
capitol day
CASA staff and volunteers from across Texas visited Austin for Capitol Day. 

Dallas CASA staff joined hundreds of CASA volunteers, board and staff from across the state at Capitol Day Jan. 30 in Austin.    

 

CASA representatives spent the day encouraging legislators to improve the child welfare system, seek better outcomes for abused and neglected children living in protective care and support CASA programs across the state.  

 

Joran Rose, a former foster youth served by a Dallas CASA volunteer, joined in the effort to advocate for better outcomes for foster youth. Speaking with lawmakers throughout the day, Joran shared his personal story of how his CASA volunteer Diane helped him achieve his goal of going to college after he and his siblings were removed from a physically abusive home and placed in foster care.

     
joran
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst speaks to media flanked by DFPS Commissioner John Specia and former foster youth Joran Rose. 

A variety of bills have been filed to improve the child welfare system in Texas.

In particular, Texas CASA is seeking an additional $3 million per year in funding to be able to serve 57 percent of the children living in protective care by 2015. Among other priorities are efforts to provide comprehensive oversight of the use of psychotropic medications to treat foster children. 

 

Click here to learn more about Texas CASA's efforts to strengthen CASA programs across the state and provide volunteers for more children living in protective care.  

VIOLENCE PREVENTION ADVOCATE TO SPEAK AT CHERISH THE CHILDREN
Cherish the Children speaker Victor Rivas Rivers 

We are pleased to announce that Victor Rivas Rivers will be the keynote speaker at this year's Cherish the Children luncheon benefiting Dallas CASA. Mr. Rivers, a veteran film star, best-selling author and violence prevention advocate, serves as spokesperson for the National Network to End Domestic Violence. Mr. Rivers will share his personal story of surviving a childhood of severe physical and emotional abuse and discuss his efforts to raise awareness of our greatest yet most curable social disease--family violence.

 

Hosted by the Dallas CASA Children's Council, the sixth annual Cherish the Children luncheon will be held May 15 at the Ritz-Carlton. The Past Junior League of Dallas Project Chairs for Dallas CASA are this year's Honorary Chairs in recognition of the League's tremendous commitment to helping abused children Dallas.     

 

The event raises funds to recruit and support CASA volunteer advocates who help abused children have permanent homes where they are safe, healthy and protected with loving families. Luncheon attendees will have the opportunity to indulge their inner child through the purchase of fanciful and fun children's chairs and other furniture custom-designed and donated by local artists, designers and merchants. All proceeds from the sales of the children's chairs will help provide a brighter, more promising future for abused and neglected children.

 

For more information on tickets and tables, visit sponsorship opportunities or contact events coordinator Mindy Morse.

ALTRUSA EVENT BENEFITS DALLAS CASA

The Altrusa International Downtown Dallas Foundation selected Dallas CASA as the beneficiary for its 2013 Dessert First event held March 7 at Edison's in Dallas. A women's service organization focused on serving women and children in North Texas, the club has raised more than $750,000 for grants to local nonprofit agencies through donations, the sale of European style gourmet chocolates and its annual Dessert First gala. Its members have contributed more than 80,000 hours in service to the Dallas community.

 

Dallas CASA Children's Council president Talynn Otsuki served as honorary chair for this event. Dallas CASA was privileged to receive Altrusa's support at this event.

 

"It has truly been an honor and a privilege to be associated with such an amazing group of professional women who have demonstrated such excellence, social responsibility and deep compassion for helping women and children in our community," Talynn said.

 

Thank you to Talynn for serving as honorary chair and representing Dallas CASA at this prestigious event.

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Congratulations New CASA Volunteers
Texas CASA Leads Advocacy Efforts at the Capitol
Violence Prevention Advocate to Speak at Cherish the Children
Altrusa Event Benefits Dallas CASA
VOLUNTEER TIP

Alisha, the CASA volunteer highlighted in this month's case story, kept the court informed about her CASA child's progress by providing photos of Jayden to the judge. For judges who may never get to meet the children who have come under the protective care of their courts, this is a great way for judges to see the children they are helping and to keep them informed about a child's needs and well-being.

VOLUNTEER HOURS

2,942 volunteer hours advocating for children in court so far in 2013! 

CASA INFO SESSIONS

Spread the word about Dallas CASA to help abused and neglected children. Tell your friends, family and colleagues how they can become volunteer advocates.  

 

Upcoming CASA volunteer information sessions:

   

* March 15, 12-1 p.m.
* April 4, 6-7 p.m.
* April 10, 12-1 p.m.
* April 18, 6-7 p.m.

Click here for session schedule and registration.
About Dallas CASA

When kids can't speak for themselves, CASA can.  

Dallas CASA is a nonprofit organization of community volunteers who serve as voices in court for abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers are trained and supervised to advocate for the best interests of abused children in protective care and to make recommendations that help judges decide what is best for each child. A CASA volunteer is often the one constant during a frightening, uncertain time in a child's life.

Sadly, Dallas CASA can only serve two out of five children who need CASA volunteers. You can help. A child is waiting for your voice.
 
To learn more about helping abused children, visit dallascasa.org.

CASA and Court Appointed Special Advocates are registered trademarks of the National CASA Association.