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CASA Online Connector April 2009
A quarterly e-newsletter from Georgia CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

"He who refuses to embrace a unique opportunity loses the prize as surely as if he had failed."
-William James

Karen Nasworthy Awarded as 2008 CASA Volunteer of the Year in Georgia

At the Georgia CASA State Conference on March 28, Karen Nasworthy, from Mountain Circuit CASA in Toccoa, was awarded as the 2008 Karen N. Sibley CASA Volunteer of the Year in Georgia. A CASA volunteer since the program started over five years ago, Karen has advocated for 23 children. She was cited for her outstanding skills in advocating for the best interests of children and for going above and beyond the call of duty in seeking the best permanency outcomes for children. To read more about Karen, visit the Volunteer Profile page on Georgia CASA's website. Congratulations, Karen! You are an inspiration and example for CASA volunteers all across the state.

Pictured: Jack McMillan (Georgia CASA Board Chair), Melissa Mitchell (Mountain Circuit CASA Executive Director), Karen Nasworthy and Duaine Hathaway (Georgia CASA Executive Director)

Other nominees for the CASA Volunteer of the Year Award were as follows:

Three Affiliate Programs Receive 2009 Awards of Excellence from Georgia CASA

SOWEGA CASA received the Innovative Program Award of Excellence for its vision in restructuring the program and making significant strides to stream-line staff, increase the number of active CASA volunteers and serve more children in care. Today, SOWEGA CASA has tripled its number of active CASA volunteers and serves 90% of the children in care. SOWEGA CASA is based in Americus and serves Lee, Macon, Schley, Stewart, Sumter and Webster counties.

Carroll County CASA received an Established Program Award of Excellence. Located in Carrollton, the program began in 1998 and had 63 CASA volunteers who served 147 children last year. The program serves all of the children in foster care in Carroll County. About 60% of the CASA volunteers have been with Carroll County CASA for two or more years. Carroll County CASA has a diversified funding base and for the past seven years has held its annual fundraiser, “Grand Night for CASA.” The event raised $43,000 in 2008 and is its most successful source of funding.

CASA for Children also received an Established Program Award of Excellence. Serving Cherokee County in North Georgia, the program began in 1993. Since its inception, over 1,300 children have been served by over 400 CASA volunteers. CASA for Children has cultivated and maintained the financial support that allows for the stability of the program and the employment of accomplished staff. The staff’s commitment to ensuring volunteers are enabled to do their jobs and find purpose and fulfillment in their roles has resulted in a 76% retention rate of the program’s volunteers.

Celebrate in April and May - Volunteer or Donate to CASA

Spring is a time of new beginnings. Abused, neglected and abandoned children need new beginnings in their lives so they can thrive. Through individualized attention, CASA volunteers work with these children everyday as they advocate for their best interests. They bring urgency to their needs, both in and out of the courtroom. CASA volunteers promote each child's safety, permanency and well-being. What better time of the year than now to get involved or continue your involvement? April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and May is National Foster Care Month.

You can help a child in your community:
--Volunteer
--Tell others about CASA
--Donate (To donate to an affiliate program, use the mail-in form on the site)

Series of CASA Articles for 20th Anniversary of CASA in Georgia Continues with Release of 8th Article

The eighth article, in the year-long series of articles shining a spotlight on the unique qualities of CASA advocacy and the people that make it possible, has just been released. Read the newly released article Donors and Board Members: Crucial to the Success of CASA.

To read all articles from the 20th anniversary celebration, visit the News page of Georgia CASA's website.

 

Affiliate Programs Highlights: Athens-Oconee CASA Staff to Present Workshop at National CASA Conference; Over 400 Attendees from Programs across the State at Recent Georgia CASA State Conference

Christian Orobello, Executive Director, and Mary-Eleanor Joyce, Advocacy Specialist, of Athens-Oconee CASA will facilitate the workshop Supervised Visitations: Observing for Better Information and Better Outcomes at the 2009 National CASA Conference in Denver on April 27. The workshop is designed to provide CASA volunteers and staff with insights into supervised visitation, tools for making fact-based observations at visits and techniques for incoporating these observations into CASA reports in order to advocate more effectively for children.

Over 400 people from affiliate CASA programs all over the state attended the Georgia CASA State Conference, sponsored by the Supreme Court of Georgia's Committee on Justice for Children, on March 28 in Atlanta. The conference included 22 workshops for CASA volunteers, board members and staff. A highlight of the day was the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, which recognized all CASA volunteers for their hard work and dedication to the children they serve. The keynote speaker at the luncheon was Dr. Shirley Garrett. The high level of participation from programs at the state conference was very impressive! Georgia CASA received many positive comments about the conference. One attendee remarked that "this was a great opportunity to network and gain additional information about different policies and procedures." Another attendee commented that "the conference was exceptionally well done, from the quality of the materials/information to the workshop presenters!"

Affiliate Programs: Submit your newsworthy highlights to lderhammer@gacasa.org for consideration in future e-newsletters.

5th Annual Georgia CASA Luncheon & Fashion Show Raised over $30,000

On March 18, at Maggiano's in Buckhead, 200 guests enjoyed Georgia CASA's annual luncheon and fashion show. Marcy McTier, a Life Board Member of Georgia CASA, was the honoree. Marcy has been involved with Georgia CASA for 11 years and has made many contributions to benefit the CASA organization in Georgia. Judge Sanford Jones of Fulton County Juvenile Court was the keynote speaker. Ted Hall, news anchor with WXIA-TV (11Alive) in Atlanta, was the moderator. Guests enjoyed seeing spring fashions from Ann Barge, Elements of Style, Guffey's, Guffey's for Her, Sandpiper and Seed Factory. Several prize packages were raffled off as part of the event as well. Pictured at left are the models. View selected pictures from the event.