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CASA 101

CASA 101. Presented to[Group or Event] [Date ] [City], Alaska. Presentation Overview. Brief history and glimpse of the CASA network Who are CASA volunteers? How do they serve foster youth? How you can help. A Brief History….

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CASA 101

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  1. CASA 101 Presented to[Group or Event] [Date ] [City], Alaska

  2. Presentation Overview • Brief history and glimpse of the CASA network • Who are CASA volunteers? • How do they serve foster youth? • How you can help

  3. A Brief History… • In 1977 Judge David Soukup of Seattle, Washington dreamed of using citizen volunteers to advocate for children in dependency court. • He founded the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, beginning a nationwide grassroots movement that is now over 77,000 strong. • His vision allowed for ordinary people to focus solely on a child’s best interest.

  4. A Brief History… The mission of the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, together with its state and local members, is to support and promote court-appointed volunteer advocacy so that every abused or neglected child can be safe, establish permanence and have the opportunity to thrive. National CASA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit membership organization formed in 1982.

  5. A Glimpse at the Network National CASA Association State Organization: Alaska CASA Local Programs State Court Tribal Court

  6. Role of National Organization • National CASA offers leadership and supports continued growth of the CASA network • Specific activities include offering: • Training & Curriculum • Technical Assistance & Quality Assurance • Volunteer Recruitment & Public Awareness • Resource Development & Grants

  7. Role of State Organization • Support & provide technical assistance (TA) to programs • Support development of new programs • Create opportunities for communication, networking, sharing of information, support • Disseminate information to program staff • Increase awareness of CASA & needs of children • Provide information & TA to programs with resource development

  8. Role of Local Programs • Recruit, screen, train and support volunteers in their work with children and youth involved with the court system as a result of abuse and/or neglect • Provide 30 hours of pre-service training • Provide 12 hours of in-service training annually

  9. A Glimpse at the Network Nationally in 2012 -

  10. A Brief History… Alaska • Alaska CASA started in 1987 in Anchorage. Local programs are now also in Palmer (1996), Juneau (1999), Fairbanks (2000), Bethel (2010) and Kenai (2011). • The Kenaitze Indian Tribe started the first tribal court CASA program in Alaska in 2005. • Kenai Peninsula CASA (A partnership between Kenaitze Indian Tribe & Office of Public Advocacy) – first program in Alaska in which volunteers are trained to serve in state and tribal courts. First group sworn in October 2011. First CASA volunteers in Alaska

  11. Office of Public Advocacy • State agency mandated to provide a guardian ad litem (GAL) for every child and youth in OCS custody • Alaska CASA is a program of the Office of Public Advocacy (OPA) • OPA is appointed as GAL when OCS files paperwork in court seeking custody of a child or youth

  12. Public Guardian Section State of Alaska Office of Elder Fraud & Assistance Department of Administration Criminal Defense Section Conflict Counsel Adult & Juvenile Representation Section Appeals & Statewide Defense Section Office of Public Advocacy Child Advocacy Section – GALs Alaska CASA

  13. Office of Public Advocacy Director Rick Allen Deputy Director Chad Holt Staff GALs Alaska CASA Contract GALs YK Delta CASA Kenai Peninsula CASA A Partnership Between Kenaitze Indian Tribe and Office of Public Advocacy Fairbanks CASA Anchorage CASA Valley CASA Juneau CASA

  14. Why CASA? • The CASA program enhances the quality of child advocacy in Alaska. • CASA volunteers are generally assigned to 1 case at a time – they have the “luxury of focus.” • CASA volunteers increase our diversity - of backgrounds, experience, viewpoints, and demographics. • CASA volunteers have more frequent contact with youth and get to know the child’s unique needs, personality, abilities, and goals.

  15. CASA in Alaska In 2012 - • Six local programs • 168 CASA volunteers • 417 abused and neglected children • 3,765 youth served by OPA statewide

  16. Who Are CASA Volunteers? CASA volunteers are everyday people who have undergone screening and training with their local program. No special background or education is required to become a CASA volunteer. We encourage people from all cultures and professions, and of all ethnic and educational backgrounds.

  17. Requirements Screening: • Be 21+ years old • Be willing to undergo necessary background checks, provide references and participate in an interview  • Complete pre-service training course • Be available for court appearances, with advance notice • Be willing to commit to the CASA program until your first case is closed

  18. Requirements • Training: • Minimum 30 hours of pre-service training is required – plus court observations and homework • National CASA curriculum customized with state and local materials • Pre-service training is part of the screening process • 12 hours in-service training annually

  19. A CASA Volunteer’s Focus • The child is not forgotten • The child’s sense of time is at the forefront • The child finds a safe and permanent home as soon as possible • The child’s case is not lingering in the system

  20. What Does a CASA Volunteer Do? • Four responsibilities:Investigate, Advocate, Facilitate, Monitor • Full access to the child’s information • Bound by strict confidentiality • Supported by staff – teamed with a GAL • Remains involved until permanency is achieved • Sworn into service by a judge

  21. What Does a CASA Volunteer Do? Gets to Know the CHILD!

  22. What Does a CASA Volunteer Do? CASA volunteers listen first. Then they act. Volunteers get to know the child by talking with everyone in that child's life: parents and relatives, foster parents, teachers, attorneys, social workers, health professionals and others. They use the information gathered to inform judges and others of what the child needs and what will be the best permanent plan.

  23. What Does a CASA Volunteer Do?

  24. Investigate (Gather Information) • Talk to everyone involved in the case • Read all documents (school records, history with OCS, case plans, etc.) • Find out the child’s needs: • physical • emotional • educational • medical • cultural

  25. What Does a CASA Volunteer Do?

  26. Facilitate • Identify resources and services for the child • Build collaboration between parties • Help to get child’s needs met • Bring people together so decisions can be made • Ask for meetings, write letters, make phone calls when needed

  27. What Does a CASA Volunteer Do?

  28. Advocate • Speak up for the child – in and out of court • Attend all meetings relating to the child’s needs (e.g. school, treatment, case planning, placement, etc.) • Share thoughts and position on the issues with those working with the family

  29. What Does a CASA Volunteer Do?

  30. Monitor • Keep track of whether court orders are being carried out and report to the court as needed • Keep track of services family and child are receiving • Ensure child’s needs are met and permanent plan is achieved

  31. How Can I Help? Become a CASA volunteer! http://alaskacasa.org/LiftUpaChildsLife

  32. How Can I Help? Help spread the word about CASA: Share with your social networks

  33. How Can I Help? • Invite CASA staff to make a presentation at your workplace, community or civic group meeting, place of worship, etc. • Offer a job or internship to a youth in in custody • Get CASA information out in your workplace via e-newsletter, posters, brochures, etc.

  34. How Can I Help? • Recruit volunteers: public speaking, staffing tables at events, talking to friends, sharing on social media • Hang CASA posters in your community • Present an in-service training workshop on a topic about which you have expertise • Add an Alaska CASA link to your website

  35. How Can I Help? Support Friends of Alaska CASA, our nonprofit partner: • Donate to FAC and/or offer pro bono professional services • Make your home, workplace or other facility available for training, special events, volunteer recognition. • Organize a fundraiser or contact businesses for in-kind donations: food, prizes in connection with a special event or for volunteer recognition, etc. • Serve on the FAC board or a committee

  36. To Learn More… Visit our website: www.alaskacasa.org Sign up for our e-newsletter at www.alaskacasa.org To Donate: Friends of Alaska CASA website: www.friendsofalaskacasa.org National CASA Association http://www.casaforchildren.org

  37. Thank You!

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