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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 March 2008
On February 12th, CASA staff, board members and volunteers from across the state were joined by current and former foster youth from the state Independent Living Program and Georgia EmpowerMEnt Group at the State Capitol in Atlanta as they met with legislators to discuss the needs of abused and neglected children and the services that CASA programs provide. The CASA network in Georgia also asked legislators to support a request of a $525,000 increase in state funding for CASA. The day began with a CASA proclamation presented on behalf of Governor and Mrs. Perdue by Jen Bennecke, Executive Director of the Georgia Children's Trust Fund, and then a motivational message by Judge Steven C. Teske, Juvenile Court of Clayton County, followed by a legislative briefing for CASA participants. The day concluded with a donated Chick-fil-A luncheon for legislators. To view pictures from the event, click here.
2008 marks the 20th anniversary of Georgia CASA's founding. Started in 1988 by Karen N. Sibley, along with Kathie Gannon and Nicki Vaughan, Georgia CASA was originally a demonstration project of Kids of Georgia Need Volunteers, Inc. In 1989, two pilot CASA programs were formed (Hall-Dawson CASA and Alcovy CASA). In 1992, Georgia CASA gained independent, nonprofit status and began transitioning local CASA programs into independence. Twenty years after its founding, 47 affiliate CASA programs are present in 74% of the counties and 44 of the 49 judicial circuits. During the past fiscal year, over 9,000 children were served by over 1,800 CASA volunteers. Georgia CASA unveiled new communications materials - 4 display screens and a new brochure - as part of its 20th Anniversary at "CASA and Foster Youth Day at the Capitol." In April, at the Georgia CASA State Conference, the 20th Anniversary will officially kick-off. Expect to also see some new materials for affiliate CASA programs as part of the anniversary.
Thomas County CASA expanded to serve Brooks County, located in South Central Georgia, in October 2007. Coastal Plain CASA, whose main office is in Tifton and serves Irwin, Tift, Turner and Worth counties, has formed Leadership Councils for its county-to-county focus. The Leadership Councils are comprised of leaders in each county who develop and implement in-county recruitment and fundraising efforts. Thanks to the work of the Leadership Councils, Coastal Plain CASA has quickly grown. The Metro Atlanta CASA Collaborative (Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton & Gwinnett counties, along with Georgia CASA) completed a very successful fall 2007 recruitment campaign. As a result, 50 new CASA volunteers were sworn-in and initial inquiries during the campaign increased by 260% from the previous quarter when there was no campaign. In December, the Collaborative partnered with Hewitt & Associates on a holiday gift drive. Hewitt employees generously provided gifts to 50 CASA children in the metro Atlanta area. The Collaborative plans to add additional opportunities for prospective and current CASA volunteers in the future. Affiliate Programs: Submit your newsworthy highlights to lderhammer@gacasa.org for consideration in future e-newsletters.
When a child is removed from his home due to abuse or neglect and enters foster care, his permanent home may be with a relative. More and more grandparents and other relatives are finding themselves outside the realm of traditional roles, and taking sole responsibility of their kin as caregivers. In fact, 20% of Georgia's foster children are placed with relatives. As a result, CASA volunteers often work with relative caregivers (also referred to as kinship care) for the children for whom they advocate. Clayton County CASA, in Jonesboro, is one affiliate program that works with relative caregivers. At a recent group meeting, one caregiver expressed her appreciation for CASA's Relative Caregiver Program by stating, "This program has not only supported me, and my grandchildren, it has also given me a new set of eyes to view and deal with my problems better." In Georgia, over 190,000 grandparents have one or more grandchildren under the age of 18 living with them. Almost 6,000 grandparents are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren. Georgia has several kinship care initiatives, resources and support groups for relative caregivers. To find out more, click here. Upcoming Conferences and Events --Building Successful Teams Annual Conference, March 18-20, Waverly Hotel, Atlanta --Georgia CASA State Conference, April 26, Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta - Be sure to click the link for information and to register. Hope to see you there! --Georgia Association of Homes & Services for Children Annual Conference, May 21-23, Hilton DeSoto, Savannah (includes CASA-led workshop) --National CASA Annual Conference, June 7-10, Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C. --Prevent Child Abuse Georgia 23rd Annual Symposium, July 13-15, Crowne Plaza Ravinia, Atlanta --Donate (To donate to an affiliate program, use the mail-in form on the site) |
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