Podcasts about national casa

Joining us today is Ashley Rhodes-Courter, author of the New York Times and international bestselling memoir, “Three Little Words,” and its sequal, “Three More Words.” She's an international keynote speaker, licensed clinical social worker, and founder of The Foundation for Sustainable Families.  Since her first national keynote at age 14, Ashley has shared her story with thousands in the United States and in more than 7 countries. By the age of 3 she was in Florida's foster care system where she spent almost 10 years being shuttled between 14 homes—some quite abusive—before being adopted from a children's home at the age of 12. We're going much deeper in today's show to discuss a topic that affects all communities—child abuse and neglect and how, through CASA, a National, non-profit court-appointed special advocate and guardian ad litem organization, communities and individuals are changing a child's life-story by advocating for children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect.  And, how even just one small act of kindness or a little bit of encouragement can have a positive ripple effect on someone's life. In this episode, Ashley shares how the gift of a book from her fourth-grade teacher inspired her love of literature and writing, the impact her CASA had on her life, and how she came to write her first book, Three Little Words, which started in her teen years as an essay to raise money for college. The book is now being made into a major motion picture. And joining us from East-Central CASA in South Dakota, are Julie Wermers, Terri Mielitz, and Amy Henrich. We'll learn about the CASA organization, how it serves some of the most vulnerable children and youth in our communities, including those targeted for sex trafficking, kids affected by the opioid crisis, and advocating for children with incarcerated parents and preparing young adults to age out of the foster care system, plus we'll talk about the many ways we can all get involved. We hope after listening to Ashley's powerful story, you are inspired to learn more about CASA in your area. You can find Ashley Rhodes-Courter's books, “Three Little Words,” and “Three More Words,”  here or at many independent bookstores. The Nook on Main Street in downtown Brookings, South Dakota will soon have copies on their shelves. Connect with Ashley Rhodes-Courter on her website rhodes-courter.com. Learn about East Central CASA at eastcentralcasa.com and connect on Facebook East-Central CASA. Purchase tickets, bid on auction items, or donate to Fire & Ice, visit CASAgala.GiveSmart.com. For more information, call 605-697-6106 or email info@eastcentralcasa.com.  Learn about National CASA and find a CASA program near you at nationalcasagal.org. (00:00) Intro (3:27) Julie Wermers (28:00) Terri Mielitz (50:21) Amy Henrich (01:21:50) Ashley Rhodes-Courter #ThrivingFamilies #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #ChangeAChildsStory --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potatoesandmittens/support

Jayne Amelia talks with amazing, astounding and ever persistent Gay Courter.Gay Courter is the author of 7 bestselling novels with over three million copies in print worldwide including The Midwife, The Midwife's Advice, Code Ezra, River of Dreams, Flowers in the Blood, and The Girl in the Box.  Her non-fiction works include The Beansprout Book and How To Survive Your Husband's Midlife Crisis, and I Speak for this Child: True Stories of a Child Advocate, which was nominated for a Pulitizer Priz for non-fiction.  She is also a distinguished travel writer.   www.gaycourter.com  Gay has served as a volunteer in the Florida Guardian Ad Litem program since 1989 in which she acts as the court appointed advocate for neglected and abused children.  Her book about her experiences, I Speak For This Child: True Stories of a Child Advocate, brought national attention to the cause.  She has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, Day One, NBC Weekend Edition, and in Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, Christian Science Monitorand other national publications as an expert on these issues and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.  Gay has also received the Child Advocate of the Year award in Florida for her work as a Guardian Ad Litem, the Sharon Solomon Child Advocate Award from the Florida Center for Children and Youth, and special recognition from the Florida Chapter of American Women in Radio and Television, Inc. for her work on Where's My Chance? The Case for Our Children, which also won an Emmy.  Gay received her second Emmy from the National Academy of Arts and Television Sciences, Suncoast Chapter, for a series of public service announcements called Solutions for America's Children.  She has been selected as one of the 10 most admired women in Citrus County twice—in the community service and arts categories.In 2004, Gay, her husband, Philip, and daughter, Ashley, jointly won the Angels in Adoption from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and nominated by Congresswoman, Ginny Brown-Waite.  Gay is married to her collaborator in documentary films, Philip Courter.  They have produced almost hundred films on child welfare topics and specialize in media about children's issues and strengthening family.  Clients include National CASA, the National Council of Family and Juvenile Judges, the Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and the North American Council on Adoptable Children.  The Courters have two sons, Blake, a specialist in computer design development and engineer; and Joshua, an ethnographic filmmaker and builder/designer.  In 1998, they adopted Ashley, then age 12, who spent 9 years of her life in Florida's foster care system in 14 different homes.  Ashley's bestselling book about her experiences is called Three Little Words and is in development as a feature film.Together the Courters continue to work professionally and personally so that other children will not be lost in the system like their daughter was.For more information see gaycourter.com courterfilms.comNational CASA/GAL Association For Children

Georgia CASA is one of my favorite non-profits and in this episode, you will meet Jen King, Georgia CASA's dynamic and passionate Executive Director.  Now serving 156 out of 159 Georgia counties, the more than 2700 CASA volunteers support children in care.Jen and I talk about the support CASA's provide to hurting children and how the organization sees themselves as a healing partner for hurting families. Jen emphasizes the need to see the strengths of families that find themselves involved in the child welfare system and to understand that just like many of us, they have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACES). "When families are in crisis, it's important to offer hope and healing and not to villainize them," says Jen. Georgia CASA is leaning in to addressing disparities and ensuring that all children in care receive the support you need. We also talked about what communities can do to support families in care and the policy work Georgia CASA is doing with their partners.  Bio: In May 2018, Jen King was selected to succeed Georgia CASA's longest serving Executive Director (18 years) as the 5th director in the organization's 30-year history.  Jennifer 'Jen' King, served as the Program Operations Director, coordinating training and support services for local CASA affiliates, including 200 staff, 500 board members and 2700 volunteers.  Her leadership over the past 20+ years has helped to propel the statewide CASA organization into a dynamic, well-respected network. With degrees in nonprofit administration and child development, Jen has dedicated her career to making connections with and on behalf of children and families, alongside advocates and nonprofit leaders, and the larger community.  She has worked with United Way of Greater Atlanta, National CASA, and many groups and committees involved in strengthening communities.Are you a community nonprofit leader that needs help in defining your strategy?  Check out my free guide and discover how you can learn to use strategy to drive social change. In just four easy steps, turn your hunches into action.Music: Zach PriceProduced by: Zach PriceLike what you heard? Please like and share wherever you get your podcasts! Connect with Ann: Community Evaluation Solutions How Ann can help: · Support the evaluation capacity of your coalition or community-based organization. · Help you create a strategic plan that doesn't stress you and your group out, doesn't take all year to design, and is actionable. · Engage your group in equitable discussions about difficult conversations. · Facilitate a workshop to plan for action and get your group moving. · Create a workshop that energizes and excites your group for action. · Speak at your conference or event. Have a question or want to know more? Book a call with Ann .Be sure and check out our updated resource page! Let us know what was helpful. Community Possibilities is Produced by Zach Price Music by Zach Price: Zachpricet@gmail.com

On this MADM, Shoals CASA Executive Director Heather Flippo Begley is sharing about the work of Shoals CASA/National CASA / GAL Association for Children and the amazing volunteers who are making a huge impact on the lives of foster kids and their families! Listen & share. Sponsor: Athens Bible School

Listen to an overview of Lucy's Story thus far followed by an overview of the National CASA organization - Court Appointed Special Advocates .Learn more about what a CASA's role is, how you can become involved, how to contact them for more information in addition to how you can be a great support to their important work in the area of child abuse and neglect.

CASA's Mission is to train and recruit community volunteers to advocate for abused and/or neglected children within the 16th Judicial District which is made up of Iberia, St. Martin and St. Mary Parishes. We are looking for dedicated individuals that are willing to donate their time to help children within their community find a safe and permanent home. National CASA has started a Champaign as a result of the pandemic which called #EyesOnChildren this Champaign was created to bring awareness to the impact COVID 19 has had on children from hard places. Parents are now under more financial and emotional stress, those stressors have historically fueled a rise in child abuse and neglect. And unfortunately, at the same time, children are no longer in the public eye- they are not at school, they are not able to attend daycare in some cases. Or they are just generally not out in public where caring individuals could spot the signs of abuse and neglect. Our volunteers work directly with the children that have already experienced abuse or neglect. Normally they would meet with the children at least once a month, but with COVID they have had to get a little creative. They are temporarily doing virtual visits. During these visits information is gathered and relayed to the judges to help them make the most well-informed decision for each child. For the training we have also converted to a virtual format for the time being. We are hoping to have our next class start around the 2nd week of June. But we have a new training class every other month or so.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate.  We are members in good standing with Tennessee CASA and National CASA serving Bedford, Coffee and Franklin Counties in middle Tennessee.I was hired to be an Advocate Supervisor for Coffee County in 2019 and performed that work until August 15, 2014 when I became the Executive Director.   Advocate Supervisors are staff who support, direct and train volunteers.  CASA Works currently has 4 staff members.  Three of which supervise the three counties that we serve.Our Mission is to:  Provide A Voice for abused and neglected children in Bedford, Coffee and Franklin Counties.Our Values are:  ADVOCACY, COMMITMENT, STABILITY, PROTECTION, PERMANENCEOur Vision is:  that every abused and neglected child who enters the court system Has a special advocate.In 2018, we served 469 children, so far this year as of June 30, 2019 we have served 415. Staff alone cannon serve that many children.It is done by volunteers who live in each county recruited to advocate for abused and neglected children.Volunteers are recruited through events that highlight the mission, speaker's bureau, newspaper articles, persons who inquire on-line and work of mouthProcess to becoming a volunteer: A prospective volunteer must be 21 years of age, submit to an extensive background check, Attend the 35-hour training, monitor court proceedings, attend on-going training totaling 12 hours per year to keep up with changing trends in our field of work; commit to at least one year of service or until the child has a safe, permanent home. A volunteer cannot transport a child, take a child(ren) into their home, give legal advice, give money or expensive gifts to the child(ren) or family which enable them to maintain a level of objectivity and boundaries that empowers the volunteer to make “best interest” recommendations on the child's behalfThey undergo an intensive interview performed by CASA Works staff to determine if that prospective volunteer possesses the integrity to be accepted as a volunteerWhen they are accepted.  The volunteer will attend 35 hours of training which occurs twice a week for 3 ½ hours for 8 weeks.  After completing the training, the volunteer is sworn in by the juvenile judge of the county they are going to serve making them a “Friend of The Court”.When the judge appoints CASA to a case, we are given an Appointment Order which gives CASA judicial permission to read all documents pertaining to the case, talk to everyone that affects that child's life; access to medical and mental health records; attend all school meeting; Department of Children Services Child and Family Team meetings.  The volunteer and supervisor also attend all court hearings.CASA Standards require volunteers to visit children at least once a month, more if needed.  After the volunteer has interviewed all parties, a Court Report is developed by the supervisor and volunteer which contains all records reviewed, all persons interviewed including the child and parents. CASA volunteers ask the child what they would like to tell the judge.  This is the opportunity for the child to express in their own words what their desires are and we include that in the report (exactly what the child says).  We also include the child's status.  The environment that the child is placed, school and grade information, if they are thriving in their placement and all pertinent information for the judge to know if this placement is meeting the child's needs.  Recommendations are included in the report.  The list of recommendations are fact based, objectives that addresses what needs to happen for the child's best interest.  This report provides the judged a larger picture of what is happening and what needs to happen for that child.  It helps the judge make better decisions for the best interest of the child. Presently CASA has a total of 50 volunteers who serve and will serve over approximately 500 children by the end of the year. Since CASA works is a non-profit organization, we must seek financial assistance through grants, fundraisers, community organizations, businesses and individual donations. Learn more:  http://www.casaworks.org

Katana and Vicky will be interviewing, Tom North, Award-winning author and inspirational speaker.Join us as we’ll discuss:The true story about the real-life family in the movie “Yours, Mine and Ours”The health danger of PTSD (child abuse, domestic violence, etc.) – NIH StudyThe Healing power of nature and Transcendental MeditationTom North is a successful financial advisor, author and inspirational speaker. As the 11th of the 20 Beardsley children made famous in the film “Yours, Mine and Ours”, Tom had firsthand experience of what it was really like to grow up in the famous family in Carmel, California. His book, True North – The Shocking Truth about “Yours, Mine and Ours” has won a Living Now Award Gold Medal, is Recommended Reading by the Washington Times, has garnered rave reviews by Writer’s Digest and is an Amazon Best Seller. Tom North appears on radio and television programs, and is a keynote speaker at organizations, companies, universities and conferences. He is an Official National Sponsor of National CASA. To learn more about Tom visit www.TrueNorthbyTomNorth.com

Tonight's special guest is Tom North, abuse survivor and author of "True North." Tom grew up as the 11th of 20 children in a family made famous by the 1968 movie "Yours, Mine and Ours" with Lucille Ball playing the role of the mother and Henry Fonda as the father. The film was a critical and box-office success, but the loving family portrayed in the film differed dramatically from the actual Beardsley family. Tom shares in "True North" what it was really like to grow up in that family, describing how he took the road less traveled through violence and despair, to hope, and eventually to self-discovery and a fulfilling life. Tom North explains that in the 47 years since the movie became the 4th highest grossing film of 1968, ".. it has not been unusual that one of my siblings or I are asked what it was like to be one of ‘that big wonderful family'. Having seen the film many times, I must agree that what became known among my family members as ‘the big lie' was actually a very charming film and a well-told story. Would that it had been true!” He goes on, “True North" is the story of my journey through domestic violence and child abuse, and the poor choices I made.” North remarks, “We siblings had the awesome burden of shame which is not unusual for victims. We had also had to hide the truth because we were famous.” North adds, “The healing never stops. Every day is another day of coping. But there is help, and hope.” Tom North is an Official Supporter of National CASA for Children. He blogs at his website www.TrueNorthbyTomNorth.com

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech, members of the National CASA Facebook community have shared their dreams for future generations of children.  Listen to the final week of a four part audio collage recorded by National CASA staff, featuring the voices of Marleisha Cox, YWCA GirlsFirst intern, and Ellis, son of National CASA staff member Jill Wiedenhoft.

In this podcast, National CASA chief program officer, Sally Erny reflects on her experience and inspiration throughout her career. Listen to Sally talk about her 27 years of service to CASA and her vision for National CASA. National CASA is celebrating 35 years of volunteer advocacy; Sally is one of the 35 Faces that is making the life better for abused and neglected children.

Host Kevin Willett is joined by Diane Valladares - CASA of NH. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of New Hampshire recruits, trains and supervises volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in the New Hampshire court system. As part of the national nonprofit organizationNational CASA (NCASAA), we envision a world in which all children are safe, nurtured and living in permanent homes. Audio file:  casaofnh.mp3

This podcast takes a closer look at the most recent revision of the National CASA Standards for Local CASA/GAL Programs.  Listen to Shelley Morgan, Sybil Turner and Melissa Protzek discuss the importance of the standards and quality assurance process and talk about some of the reasons behind the most recent revisions.

We asked members of the National CASA network and Facebook community to describe the successful qualities of a CASA volunteer. Hear some of the responses we received.

In this podcast Dawn Rego, conference and events manager and Anthony Petrarca, training director talk about some of the workshops and events lined up for the 2012 National CASA Conference being held in Washington D.C. June 9-12.

National CASA is working to find ways to provide a CASA volunteer for every child who needs one. In this podcast Michael Heaton, western regional program officer, talks about how CASA programs can maximize their resources, serve more kids and build stronger relationships with their volunteers using a peer-coordinator model.

We thank Rebecca Grossman for pioneering the podcasts for National CASA and we look forward to bringing more educational and informative topics to the CASA/GAL network with new upcoming podcasts with Sybil Turner.  Click on the link below to hear what topics you can look forward to.  In the meantime, we encourage you to search the podcast library for any topics that you might have missed.  If there are topics that you would like to hear more about, please email your ideas to sybilt@casaforchildren.org

The latest edition of "A Question of Balance" is a must-have for every person in our CASA/GAL network, if not for every person who works in child welfare. The book brings together all the pieces of the puzzle we work in and focuses in on what is truly important when decisions are being made. In this podcast Janet Ward, National CASA regional program officer and author of "A Question of Balance", talks about the latest edition of this book.

In this podcast, foster care alumna Lauren Mueller describes how her relationship with her CASA volunteer advocate, Stephanie, changed the way she looked at herself and, ultimately, gave her the motivation and confidence to pursue her goals and dreams. This audio presentation is from the closing session of the 2011 National CASA conference in Chicago, IL.

Brian Washburn, training director at National CASA, became a CASA volunteer advocate in 2007. In this interview he will explain why he became a volunteer and how this work affects his role developing the National CASA curriculum.

National CASA CEO Michael Piraino talks about how new technologies are helping members of our CASA/GAL network improve volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children.

As part of National CASA's commemoration of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, we asked volunteers from across the country to share their thoughts about Dr. King's legacy and its relevancy to CASA work.  This podcast is an interview with one of the volunteers who responded.

National CASA's CEO Michael Piraino shares his thoughts on how our network's advocacy changes the lives of the children we serve, which ultimately changes the world.

National CASA staff and others from our network describe what the Curriculum Advisory Committee does and how our programs benefit from their work.

Sharon Heiber from National CASA discusses the organization's Staff Inclusiveness Team.

Joni Tamalonis, National CASA's evaluation specialist, talks about adopting her daughter.

Janet Ward, National CASA program specialist, talks about succession planning and its importance for programs.

Terene Bennett, National CASA training specialist, introduces Everyone Ready, a new training tool for program staff.

Michael Piraino, National CASA CEO, discusses the organization's strategic planning process.

Sally Erny, National CASA chief program officer, explains the process of local programs expanding into neighboring districts.

Kris Gonzales, a staff member at National CASA and a volunteer advocate with King County Dependency CASA, talks about her work as a volunteer.

Joni Tamalonis, National CASA evaluation specialist, discusses stakeholder surveys.

National CASA staff members reflect on the May 2008 Forgotten Children event in Washington, DC.