Welcome to another edition of CASA Up Close Monthly. Please feel free to contact CASA for more information about anything you read. And, as always, thank you for your continued support! Use these quick links to get involved.
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- Welcome New CASA Volunteers
- Training Dates
- CASA Classic Golf Tournament
- Information Sessions
- Volunteer Dedication
- CASA Superhero Run
- Continuing Education
- Bricks for CASA
- Events Benefitting CASA
- Community Support
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Letter from the Executive Director
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and I want to use this as an opportunity to highlight the issue.
According to the Department of Family and Protective Services, in families where battering occurs, the rate of child abuse or neglect is 15 times higher than the national average. Children may be hurt indirectly when their parent is abused. They may be injured trying to protect their parent.
Because CASA often sees the result of this abuse, it is important for us to be knowledgeable about domestic violence. Here is some information from the DFPS that I would like to share.
Also known as "domestic violence," family violence is an act by a member of a family or household against another member of the family or household that is intended to cause physical or emotional harm. It is against the law in Texas.
The first step in stopping domestic violence is to recognize it when it happens. It's hard to accept that you may be battered by someone you love. Still, you may be a victim of family violence if:
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you are being pushed, shoved, slapped, bruised, kicked, strangled or threatened with a weapon.
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you are verbally attacked or accused.
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your possessions are intentionally damaged.
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you are not allowed to come and go as you wish.
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you are being followed, harassed, or spied upon.
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you are forced to have sex or perform a degrading sexual act.
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you are kept in isolation.
No one deserves to be abused.
If something about your relationship frightens you,
or if you or someone you know is suffering abuse in a relationship, please call:
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TDD for hearing impaired)
Thank you,
Norma Castilla-Blackwell
CASA of Central Texas
Executive Director
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Welcome New CASA Volunteers
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12 new volunteers were sworn recently sworn in during September!
Each volunteer completed 5 weeks of training, background checks, courtroom observation and is now ready to advocate for children in court.
CASA is now enrolling for our final 2019 training courses. See dates below.
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Sworn in on September 12: CASA Board Member
Jeff Hargis
of Hays County,
Melinda Van Dyk
of Guadalupe County,
Anna Kelley
of Guadalupe County,
Beth Lane
of Comal County, The Honorable Judge Melissa McClenahan,
Josie Balzano
of Comal County,
Hadley Jauer
of Hays County,
Sandra Contreras
of Hays County,
Rachel Spradling
of Hays County and CASA Board President JoAnne Germer.
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Linda Binford
of Hays County,
Mary Earls
of Hays County and
Kendra Mckellar
of Hays County were sworn in on September 4.
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Melodee Organ
of Comal County (left) was sworn in on September 12.
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Final Training Dates of 2019
October 16 - November 13
1 - 5 p.m.
October 17 - November 14
4:30 - 8:30 p.m.
November 2 - November 16
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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Application deadline prior to each cycle is two weeks before start of training. Submit your volunteer application
here
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For more information on training courses, contact Layla Coleman at 512-392-3578, 830-626-2272, or by
email.
One-hour pre-training interview to occur at least one week before start of each training cycle. Mandatory 10-hour online class to be completed during the training cycle.
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CASA Classic
October 28, 2019
San Marcos
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Team spots for the 2019 Corridor Title – CASA Classic Golf Tournament are sold out! Thanks to our wonderful supporters who’ve already made this 3
rd
annual golf tournament one to remember! As our friends, you are truly making a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable in our community. Children who were once voiceless will now be provided with the voice of a trained CASA advocate.
If you missed out on registering a team but would still like to support CASA, you may still sign up as a sponsor.
Join us for an unforgettable year by serving as one of the following:
BEVERAGE SPONSOR $1,500 – 1 available
GOLF CART SPONSOR $1,000 – 1 available
ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR $750 – 1 available
HOLE SPONSOR $400 – 25 available
View sponsorship benefits and sign up
here
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Golf not your thing? No worries! You can still support CASA from off the course and possibly win an exciting weekend getaway!
The lucky winner of the helicopter golf ball drop will enjoy a 2-night stay at the
Harper Hill Ranch
, located on 88-acres outside of New Braunfels (value $2,400).
This peaceful ranch boasts a historical home that sleeps 22 people and has plenty of amenities to enjoy. The Harper Hill Ranch is a perfect venue for an overdue family gathering or a very special event.
The lucky winner will also be gifted 2 rounds of golf (4 players each) at the
Kissing Tree Golf Club
in San Marcos, Texas (value $600).
Learn more details about the helicopter golf ball drop Grand Prize and view our other exciting raffle prizes
here
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Thank You to our Sponsors!
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Golf Ball Launcher and Hole Sponsor:
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Hole Sponsors:
Capitol Wright
Davidek Law Firm, PLLC
Grady Burnette Builders
Guadalupe Family Health, PA
Innovative Retirement, LLC
Jim Flynn Photography
Karl & Beth Hittle
Kitchell Contractors
Gene & Becky Lake
Physical Therapy of San Marcos
Sadler Concrete
Taste of New Braunfels
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"Voices" Information Sessions
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Learn more about CASA at one of our upcoming Information Sessions
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Schertz
Monday, October 7th, 6:30 pm
Schertz United Methodist Church
Seguin
Monday, October 14th, noon
Seguin Public Library
San Marcos
Wednesday, October 16th, noon
Historic County Courthouse, 1st floor conference room
Schertz
Monday, November 4th, 6:30 pm
Schertz United Methodist Church
Wimberley
Wednesday, November 6th, 9:15 a.m.
Wimberley Café
New Braunfels
Wednesday, November 6th, noon
CASA office
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Want to learn more about the
role of a CASA Volunteer?
Come to our one-hour information session and hear how our volunteers advocate for children who have been abused and neglected.
CASA staff and volunteers will be on hand to share their stories and answer your questions.
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Please RSVP by
email
or at 830-626-2272
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Thank You For Your Dedication
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At our Fall Advocate Social, we honored 62 advocates for their dedication to their cases!
Between March and August of this year, 38 advocates closed cases, and cases for 26 advocates reached Permanent Managing Conservatorship and are awaiting closure.
Whether these advocates were on their first case or their 10th (Gloria Harlin!), whether they were on their case for 1 year or 5 years (Bruce and Yvonne Quenstedt!), we want to thank ALL our advocates for their commitment and dedication to our children and families!
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Honorees l-r:
Cheryl Bither, Paulina De La Fuente, Bruce Quenstedt, Yvonne Quenstedt, Beth Hittle, Steve Bazan, Adrian Baker, Christa Santa Maria, Tanya Brewer, Colette Wollenberg, Melissa Moore, and Mark Zuzanek.
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Many thanks to all of the Avengers who assembled for the 2019 CASA Superhero Run 5K and Kids 1K.
Whether you walked, ran, or simply donated and fundraised on behalf of CASA, your super support will transform the lives of children by providing them with a CASA volunteer who’ll advocate for their short-term and long-term needs! You’ve saved the day!
View photos from this year’s event
here
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We hope to see you next year!
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Continuing Education for Volunteers
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September 23
Divinity Family Services TBRI Practitioners Sheryl Keeton and Lori Cox
introduced the strategies of
Trust-Based Relational Intervention
– an evidence-based program that helps a child return to the “natural development trajectory.”
Trauma stunts a child’s development and TRBI utilizes three principles:
connection
to heal a relationship;
empowering
principle to meet the physical and environmental needs of children; and
correction
because we learn by repeated experiences.
It was stressed that a behavior is really an unmet need or a fear response. Using the IDEAL response in managing behavior is a tried and true approach:
I
mmediate (respond within three seconds)
D
irect (down on one knee, eye level, gentle touch, eye contact)
E
fficient
A
ction-Based
L
eveled at the behavior, not the child - “What you did was not okay, but you are okay with me.”
Some key elements that advocates were encouraged to implement during child visits: connect with the child by getting to their eye level; bring a full water bottle and an approved snack since nutrition and hydration every two hours is suggested; and allow time for the child to adjust and transition between places if you’ll be taking them for an outing.
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All CASA of Central Texas volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of continuing education annually
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Help Pave the Way
CASA of Central Texas invites you to be part of a very special, yet limited, commemorative opportunity. The new Training & Support Center will increase CASA’s facility space and give CASA its first permanent home in Hays County after 30 years. This is an investment in the future of our children and community.
Engraved brick pavers will be installed along the entranceway of the new facility. Personalized pavers are a great way to honor a friend, volunteer, staff member or group; memorialize a loved one; encourage your favorite CASA volunteer; or show your family’s appreciation for CASA and our children, while leaving a lasting tribute in your name.
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We hope each and every CASA supporter will buy in to this unique opportunity and pave the way for impact!
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Events Benefiting CASA
CASA of Central Texas welcomes community initiatives to help promote awareness and funding for our program. By taking on this type of project, event organizers assume the responsibility of creating a successful event without a significant level of assistance from CASA. All special events and fundraising efforts conducted to benefit CASA are run by financially responsible and reputable organizations and individuals motivated by a genuine desire to help CASA. If you are interested in hosting a third-party fundraiser to benefit CASA, please review these
guidelines
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October 5th, 2019
Oh My Guad! 5k Run
Hosted by
Benefitting CASA of Central Texas
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The Foundry Salon
New Braunfels
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New Braunfels Church of Christ
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