Podcasts about national casa association

We're recapping 4 episodes in preparation for both a launch of season 3 AND dour 100th episode! Here's one of our favorites from season 2 with Rita SoronenFor more than 30 years, Rita Soronen has worked on behalf of abused, neglected and vulnerable children, providing leadership for local, state and national efforts working to improve the juvenile justice and child welfare systems, while striving to assure safe and permanent homes for North America's children.Leading the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a national nonprofit public charity, since 2001 and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada since 2004, Ms. Soronen works to find adoptive families for the more than 150,000 children waiting in North America's foster care systems. Under her leadership, the Foundation has significantly increased its grant-making while developing strategic initiatives that act on the urgency of the issue. In 2020, the Foundation dedicated more than $32.6 million to grants and award-winning programs, such as Wendy's Wonderful Kids, Adoption-Friendly Workplace and National Adoption Day. Additionally, through public service announcements, social media campaigns, articles, events, sponsorships and more, the Foundation is building awareness around the growing need for foster care adoption.In October 2011, independent research results were released from a five-year rigorous evaluation of the Foundation's signature and groundbreaking program, Wendy's Wonderful Kids. The research proved that children referred to the program are up to three times more likely to be adopted. Since 2005, the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program has grown from seven pilot site grants to more than 475 sites across the U.S. and Canada. This program's evidence-based model is dedicated to moving those children most at risk of aging out of foster care into permanent families. More than 10,000 children have been adopted as a direct result of Wendy's Wonderful Kids. In 2017, with the support of the Blue Meridian Partners, the Foundation launched an aggressive, multi-year business plan to take Wendy's Wonderful Kids to scale in all 50 states.Immediately prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. Soronen served as the executive director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Franklin County. During that time, she also served as the president of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio CASA/GAL Association and led the passage of specialty license plate legislation benefiting CASA programs throughout Ohio, as well as the design and implementation of model program standards assuring consistent application of effective advocacy for children involved in court proceedings at the local and state levels.Ms. Soronen is a nationally recognized child welfare advocate. She has testified before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee on the importance of foster care adoption. A requested national speaker on the topics of children, the child welfare system and social innovation, Ms. Soronen has been a featured presenter at events for the Adoption Exchange Association, Center for Adoption Support and Education, Children's Home Society of America, National Association of County Commissioners, National CASA Association and National Council for Adoption, among others.Ms. Soronen is a founding board member and past vice president of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute and is a current member of the advisory board. She also serves as a member of Barco's Nightingales Foundation's advisory board and the National Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Association for Children's board of trustees. Ms. Soronen is a recipient of the Angels in Adoption Award from the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, the National CASA Association Kappa Alpha Theta Program Director of the Year Award, the Ohio CASA/GAL Association Statewide Leadership Award and was a 2013 recipient of WSNY's 20 Outstanding Women You Should Know. She is a fellow of the Jefferson Fellowship for Executive Leadership; was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Community Leadership from Franklin University in 2016; was named a YWCA Woman of Achievement in 2017; was named a National Number One by the Columbus Foundation in 2018; and was honored with Smart Business Network's 2019 Smart 50 Program Award for Impact, Giving Back to the Community.A graduate of the University of Louisville, Ms. Soronen resides in Columbus, Ohio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We are back and Adam is bad (really bad) at being left-handed. So he's brought in life-long lefty and friend, Adam Meek, to give us the low down on the neglected other side. We play our first guessing game "Left or Wrong," and the Adams discuss the hard facts on using the wrong hand. Please help "Change a Child’s Story™" and support a wonderful organization Adam Meek partners with:National CASA Association for ChildrenThe National CASA/GAL Association, together with state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.

Court Appointed Special AdvocatesInterview with Steve Moergen, Executive Director105 S. Central AvenueClayton, MO 63105(314)615-2912www.voices-stl.org Since 1984, CASA Volunteers have been advocating for St. Louis' children and youth. As the only Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA Volunteer) member program in St. Louis City and County, our CASA volunteers offer a stable voice on behalf of the regions 1,700 children and youth in foster care. The National CASA Association is a membership organization that supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy programs like Voices for Children so every abused or neglected child in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive.

Michelle talks with Annette Craycraft, the executive director of the East Central Indiana CASA program that serves Madison and Hancock counties. Annette shares some updated numbers since the last time we spoke with her in 2013, and we learn more about what it’s like to volunteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children. East Central Indiana CASA recruits, trains and supports CASA volunteers as advocates to get to know the abused or neglected child and determine their needs and what is in the child’s best interest for their future. The CASA volunteer communicates this information about the child to the court so the child’s voice can be heard and so the child does not become “lost” in the system. East Central Indiana CASA is also a member of the National CASA Association, where last year, more than 76,000 CASA and guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers nationwide helped more than 251,000 abused and neglected children find safe, permanent homes.

The National CASA Association and the National Council of Family and Juvenile Court Judges (NCJFCJ) have an extensive collaborative history in working towards permanency and well-being for children.  Sworn in as President of NCJFCJ in July of 2014, and an active supporter of CASA, Judge Peggy H. Walker talks about this relationship and shares her expertise on working with infants and toddlers, brain science and judicial leadership involving abused and neglected children. 

Veronica Montaño-Pilch from the National CASA Association introduces the organization’s new Inclusion and Outreach Committee.

Carmela Welte, deputy CEO of the National CASA Association, explains the pending Invest in Kids Act and its effect on the CASA/GAL network.