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March 2013
| CASA Up Close
Monthly
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Greetings!
Welcome to another edition of CASA Up Close Monthly. Below you will find information about our supporters, upcoming events, training opportunities and more. Please feel free to contact CASA for more information about anything you read. And, as always, thank you for your continued support. |
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CASA of Central Texas |
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Mission
CASA of Central Texas advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers.
Vision
Every child has the right to a safe, nurturing, permanent home.
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| Letter from the Executive Director
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Go Blue in April
April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and agencies will promote the month with the color blue. What does it mean to "Go Blue" in April? For me, it is about not letting the issue of child abuse be ignored. It is a topic not talked about enough until it makes headlines when it involves tragedy. In April, I want the color blue to stand for something positive - communities showing that we will work together to protect our children.
Our local Counties and Cities will commit to the fight against child abuse by signing their own proclamations recognizing the month. I encourage anyone who can attend their local signing to do so. See the calendar below for dates and times of proclamations in your community.
As an individual, I ask you to think how you can recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Wear the blue child abuse prevention bracelet, invite CASA to come speak to your church group, attend Family Court one morning to observe and understand how abuse is occurring in your own community, or talk to your children about being nice to the new kid in their class who has just joined them after being placed in a foster home because they were no longer safe in their own.
As a business owner, celebrate the month by asking your employees to wear blue on Fridays, announce the month on your marquee, invite a CASA representative to speak to your employees, or decorate your office with blue ribbons.
Although April brings child abuse to light, we need to remember that our children are being abused all months of the year. Our dedicated volunteers here at CASA recognize this and work year round to protect these children. It is fitting to me that this month we will also celebrate these great people during National Volunteer Week, April 15 - 21.
This April, take a stand, speak your voice and Go Blue. Sincerely, Norma Castilla-Blackwell |
| Upcoming Volunteer Trainings
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Make a Difference in the life of a child,
become a CASA Volunteer
Help us get the word out about these trainings!
Our goal is to appoint 55 new volunteer
advocates by August.
If you know anyone who would make a great CASA volunteer, please share these training dates.  | |
Jeannette Sheridan
CASA of Central Texas
Advocate since 2003
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New Braunfels CASA office April 25th through May 16th Thursdays
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. San Marcos CASA office
April 23rd through May 14th
Tuesdays 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. To learn more about volunteer training sessions, contact Training Coordinator Debbie Haynes at 512-392-3578 or by e-mail. More info on becoming a volunteer here.
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What is a CASA volunteer?
Watch this video to see how we speak up for children.
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| Online Trainings
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Next Flex Learning course begins the week of May 6th.
To learn more about
Flex Learning,
contact Training Coordinator
Debbie Haynes
at 512-392-3578
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CASA to offer Flex Learning
CASA requires that all volunteer advocates receive at least 30 hours of training before they are assigned a case. Now, CASA of Central Texas is excited to offer a new volunteer training curriculum option from National CASA: Flex Learning This curriculum takes a blended approach to training, combining in-person and online delivery of information. The training occurs in five sessions. Each session contains approximately 3 hours of self-guided work that participants complete online before attending a 3-hour in-person classroom session. If you are comfortable using technology and are a self-motivated learner, you may find this type of training experience beneficial. Funding from this new curriculum was provided by "A Community Team" at HD Supply. |
| Welcome New Volunteer Advocates
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New Advocates Join CASA
Welcome new CASA volunteers, pictured l-r are:
SheVawn Alvarado of Hays County, Carlotta McCalister-Cross of Comal County, Yudith Pe�a of Hays County, (Judge Stephens) and Terri Kubecka-Ellis of Comal County.
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Go Blue in April
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Cities, Counties to Recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month
Local government officials will read proclamations throughout the month, officially recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. Community members are invited to attend these proclamations to show your support.
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4/8
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Caldwell County
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9 am
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Scott Annex
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4/2
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City of Lockhart
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6:30 pm
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City Hall
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4/11
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City of Luling
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6 pm
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City Hall
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TBA
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City of Martindale
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City Hall
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4/4
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Comal County
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8:15 am
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County Courthouse
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4/3
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City of Garden Ridge
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6 pm
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Council Chambers
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4/8
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City of New Braunfels
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6 pm
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Council Chambers
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TBA
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City of Bulverde
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6:30 pm
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City Hall
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4/2
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Hays County
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9 am
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County Courthouse
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TBA
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City of Buda
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City Hall
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4/2
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City of San Marcos
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4 pm
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City Hall
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4/2
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City of Kyle
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7 pm
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City Hall
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4/4
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Village of Wimberley
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6 pm
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City Hall
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4/9
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City of Dripping Springs
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7 pm
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City Hall
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4/2
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City of Schertz
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6 pm
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City Hall
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The City of Seguin proclaimed April to be
Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
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Guadalupe County proclaimed April to be
Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
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The City of Cibolo proclaimed April to be
Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
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| Don't Get Caught at Home
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Honoring
Comal County Commissioner
Jan Kennady
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Comal County Sheriff
Bob Holder
Introductions of honorees given by Comal County District Attorney Jennifer Tharp and State Representative Doug Miller
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You Are Summoned to
Law and Order CASA of Central Texas, Inc.
April 18th, 2013
6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Seekatz Opera House
265 W. San Antonio St.
New BraunfelsUnderwritten by
The McKenna FoundationEntertainment provided by
The Harleys
Tickets are $60 and may be purchased here.
For more information,
contact CASA at 830-626-2272.
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| Save the Date
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Jimbo Scarborough
CASA of Central Texas
Advocate since 2006
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Mark your calendars to attend this year's Spring Permanency Celebration Luncheon and honor advocates whose cases recently closed or achieved permanent outcomes.
Monday, April 22nd
11:30 am - 1 pm
Location TBA
New Braunfels
Please RSVP to Debbie Haynes by
e-mail or at 512-392-3579
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| Can You Help CASA?
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Advertise CASA at Your Business
CASA of Central Texas is always looking for more volunteers and you can help. If you can display our CASA banner or brochures in your place of business to help us recruit more volunteers, please contact Community Relations Coordinator Eloise Hudson at (830)-626-2272 or by email. |
| CASA Continuing Education
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Upcoming Training for CASA Volunteers
Advocates will receive detailed information about trainings as the dates get closer, but for now, mark your calendars if you would like to attend.
April 15th
Trauma Informed Prevention Presented by Mike Foster
LCPAA, LCPA, Program Specialist, A World for Children
Time 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Dunbar Center, San Marcos
Volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education annually
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| Advocate Social
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Advocates Get Social
About 40 Advocates gathered March 21st for another social hosted by the Wing Society. Thank you to long-time CASA supporters Becky and Lucky Tomblin for hosting this event in their home.    |
| Upcoming Information Sessions
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CASA can also
bring these information
sessions to you,
just give us a call!
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You are Invited to a CASA Voices Tour
Learn about CASA and the work our advocates are doing in the community. Join us on the 1st and 2nd Wednesdays of each month for a one-hour "virtual" tour of our mission. Open to everyone, bring your friends, family and colleagues and we will provide lunch! New Braunfels CASA office Wednesday April 3th - Noon
Wednesday May 1st - Noon San Marcos CASA office Wednesday April 10th - Noon Wednesday May 8th - Noon
Lunch provided by Fox's Pizza Den in New Braunfels
and Chick-fil-A in San Marcos.
Please RSVP to Ali Wilkinson by e-mail or at 830-626-2272.
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| Quality Care
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Executive Director Named to Christus Santa Rosa Civic Advisory Board
CASA of Central Texas Executive Director Norma Castilla-Blackwell has been selected to serve on the Christus Santa Rosa Health System Civic Advisory Board.
Created in 2008, the New Braunfels Civic Advisory Board is comprised of community leaders, physicians, and hospital leaders dedicated to serving the citizens of Comal County with the best health care services possible.
Norma said she looks forward to using the information she has gained through her work with CASA to contribute to improvements in health care services for local children and the community.
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| Online Philanthropy
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Thank You for Amplifying CASA
On behalf of CASA of Central Texas Volunteer Advocates, Board of Directors and Staff, we thank those who took part in Amplify Austin and chose to support CASA of Central Texas earlier this month.
CASA of Central Texas had 57 donors who gave $6,755 to CASA of Central Texas! Our hopes and dreams of what could come from this first-time online giving day were exceeded! Watch for Aplify Austin again in early 2014!
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| Upcoming Events |
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April
Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month
City and County Proclamations
Click here for dates and locations
New Braunfels CASA office
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Stay Connected!
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 Find us on Facebook! Visit our Website
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