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If you have problems viewing this email, go to the Newsletter Page of Georgia CASA's web site to view the e-newsletter.
CASA Online Connector June 2008
Pictured from left: Cory Buckley (Hall-Dawson Volunteer Supervisor), Carla Cannon (Volunteer of the Year), Michael Piraino (National CASA CEO), Connie Stephens (Hall-Dawson Executive Director) and Duaine Hathaway (Georgia CASA Executive Director) Other nominees for the CASA Volunteer of the Year Award were as follows:
CASA of the Northern Judicial Circuit recently expanded to serve Madison and Oglethorpe counties in Northeast Georgia, completing CASA service to the entire circuit. Atlantic Area CASA, located in Hinesville, held a fundraising banquet on April 12th in conjunction with National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The guest speaker was Debra L. Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET (Black Entertainment Television). The banquet was the program's first major fundraiser and was an inspiring event to all who attended. Forsyth County CASA held a Light of Hope event on April 24th with First Lady Mary Perdue as the keynote speaker. Mrs. Perdue spoke very highly of CASA and the work the organization does with abused and neglected children. At the event, several remarkable community volunteers from various organizations were honored for their work with children and youth in Forsyth County.Two program directors were elected by their fellow CASA directors to serve on the Georgia CASA Board of Directors for a three-year term beginning July 1st. Gerald Bostock from Clayton County CASA and Monique Brabham from CASA of the Augusta Judicial Circuit are the two new Council of Programs representatives, joining Asun Ellis (Thomas County CASA) and Ava Lipscomb (Bartow County CASA) who are already Board members. The Georgia CASA Board nominated Kimberly Clarke and Cathey Millichap as additional new Board members. Affiliate Programs: Submit your newsworthy highlights to lderhammer@gacasa.org for consideration in future e-newsletters.
An article in The New York Times on April 4, 2008, illustrated how prevalent child abuse and neglect are in our nation and how great the need is to help these children. A study found that 1 of 43 American babies is physically abused or neglected annually, most at risk during the first week of life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in its first report on maltreatment of babies up to age 1 that 91,278 of them were physically abused or neglected in 2006. Other new government figures showed that 499 babies up to age 1 were killed in maltreatment cases in 2006. About a third of the maltreated infants, 29,881, were abused or neglected before they were a week old. Many of the incidences may be related to maternal drug use. Because this is the first data looking at babies to age 1, it is unclear whether abuse is increasing or decreasing, said a centers epidemiologist, Rebecca Leeb. The report said 905,000 American children of all ages were victims of maltreatment in 2006. Maltreatment is the third-leading cause of death of American children under 3, according to Ileana Arias, who leads injury-prevention efforts at the centers. In Georgia, the age group of children that CASA volunteers serve most often are those who are 5 years and under.
Visit the National CASA Association's podcast page beginning June 24th to listen to Fulton County CASA volunteer Dee Horn talk about his experiences as a CASA, why he volunteers as a CASA and advice he has for new CASA volunteers. Upcoming Conferences and Events --National Juvenile and Family Law Conference, August 3-6, Hyatt Regency on the Waterfront, Savannah --9th Annual Child Placement Conference, November 11-13, Augusta Marriott, Augusta --CASA and Foster Youth Day at the Capitol, February 10, 2009, Central Presbyterian Church, Atlanta --5th Annual Georgia CASA Luncheon & Fashion Show, March 18, 2009, Maggiano's Little Italy, Buckhead Georgia CASA Donors: October 1, 2007 to May 31, 2008 --Donate (To donate to an affiliate program, use the mail-in form on the site) |
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On April 26th at the Georgia CASA State Conference - Continuing the Journey, Celebrating 20 Years of CASA in Georgia - Carla Cannon was awarded as the 2007 Karen N. Sibley CASA Volunteer of the Year in Georgia. A CASA volunteer with Hall-Dawson CASA in Gainesville for the past seven years, Carla has advocated for the best interests of 25 abused and neglected children, with 21 of the children having already reached permanency. In addition to serving as a CASA volunteer, Carla also serves on Hall-Dawson CASA’s Volunteer Committee and annually recruits a high school class to provide holiday toys and gifts for CASA children. Congratulations, Carla! You are an inspiration and example for CASA volunteers all across the state.
2008 marks the 20th anniversary of CASA in Georgia. On April 26th, the anniversary celebration officially kicked off at Georgia CASA's state conference. Conference keynote speaker Michael Piraino, Chief Executive Officer of The National CASA Association, referred to the 20th anniversary in his address, which highlighted the efforts of volunteers nationwide, in particular the recent FLDS case in Texas. The first of a series of 12 monthly articles debuted, shining a spotlight on the unique qualities of CASA advocacy and the people that make it possible. Throughout the coming year, a 20th anniversary article will be released each month. Read the newly released article 
Georgia CASA held its fourth annual Luncheon & Fashion Show on March 12th at Maggiano's in Buckhead. The popular event - themed "Because No Child Should Stand Alone" - honored the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta for its longtime support of Georgia CASA. Special Theta honorees included Peggy Jones, Roses Longino and Nancy Wood. Joyce Honeyman, National Kappa Alpha Theta CASA liaison was the guest speaker. CASA is the sorority's national philanthropy. Included at the event was a pastel portrait (pictured here) by Elsa Sibley, Atlanta area artist and daughter of Karen N. Sibley, founder of Georgia CASA. Fashions were from several Buckhead boutiques with Ted Hall, a news anchor for WXIA-TV, as commentator and celebrity models included Holly Firfer (Atlanta & Company) and Dr. Sanjay Gupta (CNN) with his daughter Sky. The event also included several drawings for fabulous raffle prize packages. 
