Fall 2024

2024 GEORGIA CASA CONFERENCE WRAP-UP

On Saturday, August 24, 500 CASA volunteers, board members, staff members, special guests, and experts in child welfare from across the state joined together in Atlanta to hear inspiring speakers, learn the latest child welfare trends and best practices, and sharpen their skills in child advocacy.

Each year, the Georgia CASA Conference showcases the energy, excitement, and passion of the CASA network. The Opening Session kicked off with Christina Cody, who candidly shared about her experiences with the foster care system and the impact of one CASA volunteer’s advocacy. At the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, which included recognition of the 2024 CASA Volunteer of the Year in Georgia, Shimaine Holley, a foster care advocate and Founder & CEO of Change Is Inevitable LLC, inspired participants with a vulnerable account of her time in care. During the day-long conference, participants could choose from an offering of 21 total workshops, visit with child welfare vendors, and network with advocates, presenters, and local and state staff and board members.

Click here to view the conference photo album on our Facebook page.

A big thank you to the conference sponsors:

Pam McCampbell,

2024 CASA Volunteer of the Year in Georgia

(with Enotah CASA)

Judge F. Bryant Henry, Jr. (Ret.)

2024 Champion Award

(Lookout Mountain area)

Judge R. Michael Key

2024 President's Award

(Troup County)

Alecea Quintyne

2024 CASA Board Member Leadership Award

(with DeKalb County CASA)

Ocmulgee CASA

2024 Established Program Award of Excellence

Central Georgia CASA

2024 Innovative Program Award of Excellence

In each issue, Georgia CASA highlights one of our affiliate CASA programs in the state. Please take a moment to read more about CASA of the Augusta Judicial Circuit, headquartered in Augusta under Child Enrichment and operating for 30 years.

Tell us how many volunteers you had last year along with how many children were served. In fiscal year 2024, CASA of the Augusta Judicial Circuit served 302 children with 95 volunteers.

How many CASA team members do you have? Seven

What is the service area? CASA of the Augusta Judicial Circuit serves two judicial circuits to include Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, and Wilkes counties. The Toombs Judicial Circuit was added to our service area in 2019.

What is the favorite thing about your community? Our community is a strong supporter of our CASA program and Child Enrichment, the organization our CASA program is under, as well as a partner with many other great organizations in the community. The CASA program has steadily gained greater awareness as those who are involved with Child Enrichment help spread the word among the communities served.

What is a unique tradition or event your affiliate holds annually? A unique event Child Enrichment holds is an annual "Cooking for Kids Oyster Roast" every September. This event is attended and sponsored by various members/businesses in the community. Attendees purchase a ticket and enjoy steamed oysters and other entrees, desserts, wine, and beverages. There is also a live and silent action as well as music from bands across the service area.

What is your team's favorite local spot to grab lunch or coffee? The Village Deli on Wrightsboro Road

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a CASA volunteer? Be open, flexible, and curious.

Share a recent mission moment: Recently, we were able to partner with Richmond County DFCS (Department of Family and Children Services) to speak to our CASA volunteers in reference to how they perform their jobs and the hurdles they face. It was an eye-opening experience as most CASA volunteers were unaware of the obstacles that most DFCS case mangers face. In turn, our CASA volunteers became more sensitive to the case managers and what DFCS does. The experience has led to more collaborative endeavors with not only with Richmond County DFCS, but the surrounding DFCS offices as well.

Pictured above: CASA of the Augusta Judicial Circuit at the Georgia CASA Conference, August 2024

GROWTH PLAN HIGHLIGHTS: RECRUITMENT

Georgia CASA is in the midst of a three-year statewide Growth Plan (2023 – 2026) with a goal to recruit 1,000 new CASA volunteers to serve 3,000 additional children by the end of the plan. The plan includes seven high-need target areas as well as overall outreach initiatives throughout the state.

The target areas during year one of the plan for coordinated marketing included the Augusta and Columbus areas. At the conclusion of the first year, 673 new CASA volunteers were recruited statewide. Click here to keep up with the recruitment campaign growth tracker.

See below for a listing of the recruitment initiatives for year two of the plan that targets two additional high-need areas of the state, Lookout Mountain (LaFayette, GA, area) and the greater Waycross area:

• Local radio campaigns in target areas
• Digital marketing in target areas to include social media, display ads, and streaming media
• Sponsorship of local high school football games in the Waycross area
• Georgia CEO emails featuring local affiliate programs across the state
• Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) three-month sponsorship reaches every GPB station across the state with an ad every day

Georgia CASA and our affiliate CASA programs are excited to see the continued growth during year two. You can be a part of this growth by telling others about the CASA program and the need for CASA volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children in foster care.

BY THE NUMBERS: FISCAL YEAR 2024 IMPACT OF THE CASA ORGANIZATION IN GEORGIA

NOTABLE NEWS TIDBITS

Georgia CASA Team Member Angela Tyner Recognized for 20 Years of Service

Angela Tyner, Georgia CASA's Advocacy Director, has been part of the Georgia CASA team for 20 years as of August. Angela was a recent graduate of Mercer University Law School and studying for the bar exam when she was approached by Georgia CASA to join the staff.

In her program development role, more than 100 counties were added to the CASA network. In 2021, she secured the final letter of support to initiate the development of the last CASA program in Georgia – a three-decade long journey for Georgia CASA.

Angela has led the development and implementation of many child welfare related publications, projects, and trainings during her tenure. Additionally, in 2017, Angela received a Child Welfare Law Specialist certification, the highest testament to an attorney’s dedication and demonstrated excellence in child welfare law.

Every day, Angela does her best to inspire and showcase the benefits of the CASA mission. She works tirelessly to move our state forward for Georgia’s families. Congratulations to Angela on her 20-year work anniversary!

Georgia’s New Child Abuse and Prevention Treatment Act (CAPTA) Panels Include Representatives from CASA Network

This year, Georgia has revamped its statewide CAPTA panels to be organized by districts. Citizen Review Panel (CRP) members make recommendations to the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) for statewide improvements in the state’s child welfare system. Panels review the state's CAPTA (Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act) plan, child protection standards, or any topic they consider important to ensure the well-being of everyone served by the child welfare system. Volunteer members were recruited and selected to serve a three-year term and will meet quarterly in their respective districts (North Georgia, South Georgia, or Metro Atlanta).

The following CRP members are within the CASA network:

• Kristi Gilley, Coastal Plain CASA (South District)
• Mary Ann Leverett, Towaliga CASA (North District)
• Shemika Roberts, Floyd CASA (North District)
• Alicia Wilson, Savannah CASA – part of Brightside Child and Family Advocacy (South District)

Congratulations to the new CRP members from the CASA network!

THANK YOU, DONORS!

Thank you to the donors who supported Georgia CASA for Summer 2024. Because of our donors' generosity, over 8,300 children in foster care in Georgia last year were assigned a CASA volunteer to provide best-interest advocacy. Thank you, donors, for your investment in children!

Click here to view the donor listing for July 1 - September 30, 2024.

If you are not yet part of our donors, please consider giving online here! Gifts of any amount, either one-time or recurring, are greatly appreciated!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Georgia CASA | 404-874-2888 | 800-251-4012 | gacasa.org

In partnership with local affiliates, our goal is that every child who must enter state custody will benefit from the best interest advocacy of a trusted, consistent CASA volunteer. We remain dedicated to supporting the CASA network in the provision of CASA volunteers for every child who comes to the attention of the juvenile court due to abuse or neglect.

Member of The National CASA/GAL Association for Children