CASA CONNECTOR

Winter 2024

SPOTLIGHT SERIES CONTINUES:

THE POWER OF THE CASA EXPERIENCE

We are excited to bring back our spotlight series in this issue on individuals whose personal and professional trajectory was influenced by their CASA involvement.


In this issue, we spotlight Brittney Hampton with Cobb County DFCS (Division of Family & Children Services).


Brittney graduated from Savannah State University in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Nine years ago, she started her career with DFCS as a foster care case manager at Forsyth County DFCS and has had the opportunity to serve in several other positions within the permanency program, including as a foster care supervisor, regional adoption unit supervisor, field program specialist, and administrator. Today, Brittney is the Permanency Program Director at Cobb County DFCS. She first learned about the CASA program when she trained at Forsyth County DFCS. The local DFCS office has a strong partnership with CASA of Forsyth County, and they often collaborate on joint trainings, lunch and learns, and partnership meetings, so it was only natural that Brittney would quickly learn about the CASA program shortly after starting her DFCS career.


When asked what she’s learned through her DFCS partnership with the CASA program, Brittney shared that she’s learned many things, yet the most impactful take-away she has is that “while we may have different ideas and/or recommendations, we are all one team with the common goal of wanting children and their families to be happy and safe.” Brittney strives to keep this goal at the forefront of all she does, which has consequently helped forge strong relationships with collaborative child welfare partners and enhanced the way she views critical partnerships in her DFCS career.


Brittney shares that CASA volunteers should never underestimate the positive impact they can have on DFCS staff. It’s important to build relationships with DFCS case managers and seek opportunities to provide support to staff – even what seems like the smallest gesture can go a long way.


For example, when CASA volunteers request medical, dental, and educational records for the children for whom they are advocating, these records can also be shared with each child’s DFCS case manager. Often, these records are needed; however, the DFCS case manager may be juggling competing priorities and, as a result, may not be able to gather the records as quickly as they’d like. Other examples of rapport-building tactics are to schedule joint home and foster care visits alongside DFCS case managers and always make it a point to connect with DFCS case managers prior to court hearings. CASA volunteers should be transparent about what their court recommendations are and the reasons behind the recommendations. Implementing these tactics can help to build stronger CASA/DFCS relationships and reinforce the fact that everyone is on the same team with the same common goal – even if different ideas exist about how to reach the goal.


Brittney shares a few stories of CASA volunteers who have not only had a lasting impact on her career, but on her life as well:


Mr. Wayne – Brittney met Mr. Wayne on her first day on the job at DFCS. She was attending a treatment team meeting for a youth in foster care, “Matthew,” who was on her colleague’s caseload. Mr. Wayne was Matthew’s CASA volunteer and during the two-hour drive, he shared with Brittney his extensive knowledge and information about Matthew’s history and current needs, which prepared her well for the treatment meeting. During the meeting, she sat back in awe at Mr. Wayne’s passion and advocacy for Matthew. Mr. Wayne saved the day and taught Brittney on her first day on the job what advocacy in action meant.


Sharon – Brittney worked on a case for baby girl “J” with CASA volunteer Sharon. Brittney describes Sharon as her right-hand woman who taught her many things, including how to present with a kind and loving nature even when frustrated, to have an open mind, and most importantly, to try your best to laugh when you feel like crying.


Desiree – CASA volunteer Desiree was not only one of Brittney’s child welfare collaborative partners but also became her amazing friend. While working on a case together, when Brittney was under stress or overwhelmed, Desiree would quickly reach out and offer to swing by the DFCS office with a meal, ensuring Brittney was taking care of herself in addition to caring for the children in foster care on her caseload. Desiree was also her prayer warrior and encouraged her to stay strong after a long day at work and continue doing what God called her to do in serving children and families.


Brittney is so thankful for the opportunities she’s had to work alongside CASA volunteers, including Mr. Wayne, who was a teacher; Sharon, who was a light; and Desiree, who was a “mama bear.” She knows CASA volunteers wear many hats and make many sacrifices. CASA volunteers do tireless work and are very much valued and appreciated!


Brittney is the oldest of six siblings and has a niece, Kori, whom she absolutely adores. Away from the office, she enjoys reading, attending concerts and festivals, and spending time with her family.

GEORGIA CASA GROWTH PLAN 2023 - 2026: SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS

The Georgia CASA Statewide Growth Plan kicked off in July 2023 and will conclude in June 2026. The growth plan and its investment and recruitment strategy is designed to infuse resources in seven high-need areas of the state ripe for volunteer advocacy and growth within their current structures and capacities. The seven areas include Augusta, Cobb, Columbus, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Lookout Mountain, and Waycross. With the targeted investments, Georgia CASA is working to increase the state volunteer base by 1,000 additional CASA volunteers for a total of 3,500 CASA volunteers. We aim to serve 75% of the children in foster care, estimated at approximately 3,000 additional children, at the end of June 2026. 


The start of the growth plan included a statewide recruitment campaign launch this past fall in the Augusta and Columbus regional markets. The campaign included the creation and production of Georgia-specific campaign materials to include ads for TV, radio, and digital formats, ad buys, and continuing Georgia CASA’s work in supporting local affiliates in the areas of communications, social media, storytelling, and grassroots recruitment, among others.


On November 2, day-long telethons were held in Augusta (pictured below left) and Columbus (pictured below right) as part of each area's recruitment campaign. This "old school" method was very successful, resulting in 94 volunteer inquiries in Augusta and 60 inquiries in Columbus on the day of the telethon with a subsequent spike in volunteer inquiries in the weeks that followed. With ads also running in those regions, over 40,000 people in those areas have engaged with the ads.


Another recent growth plan highlight was the completion of the Georgia Center for Nonprofit's Nonprofit Volunteer Management Certification by 25 volunteer management and training leaders from the CASA network in Georgia. The four-part series included exploring the volunteer engagement cycle, the steps necessary to build and maintain a robust volunteer team, and the essentials of effective volunteer management, as well as taking part in practical exercises and developing plans that can be implemented within their CASA affiliates.


Pictured below are the participants.

NOTABLE NEWS TIDBITS

CASA Volunteer Crowned Mrs. Georgia USA


Chancley Stewart, a CASA volunteer in Thomasville, was crowned Mrs. Georgia USA this past fall. Her main reason for entering the competition was to raise awareness about her platform, which is speaking up for foster children by utilizing the Thomasville non-profit Never Lost, home of the CASA Kids program that serves Brooks, Colquitt, and Thomas counties in South Georgia.

 



Two CASA Advocates Appointed to Office of the Child Advocate Advisory Committee

The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) recently expanded its Advisory Committee to include a new seat, one designated for a CASA representative. Selected by Georgia's Speaker of the House, Jon G. Burns, the inaugural seat has been appointed to Lainie Jenkins (pictured below left), long-time CASA advocate, program director, and board member. Lainie most recently served with TLC CASA based in Dublin. Earlier this year, Georgia CASA's Executive Director, Jennifer King (pictured below right), was appointed by Governor Kemp to the OCA Advisory Committee as the non-profit children’s agency representative.

Georgia CASA's Young Professionals Network Provides CASA Volunteer Appreciation Gifts


During the holiday season, members of the Young Professionals Network (YPN) of Georgia CASA participated in a service project to provide appreciation gifts to CASA volunteers in DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. Each appreciation gift basket included a blanket, tumbler, reusable straw, hot chocolate, cider, and a handwritten note wishing the CASA volunteer happy holidays and thanking them for their advocacy. A big thanks goes to Georgia CASA board member and Truist employee Katherine Herndon who secured a grant from Truist to help fund the service project.


Picture above: Linda Banks, DeKalb County CASA Executive Director and Katherine Herndon, Georgia CASA Board Member and YPN Member

GEORGIA CASA IMPACT REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023

Be sure to check out the fiscal year 2023 Impact Report that highlights the mission work of Georgia CASA over the past fiscal year. Thank you to all our donors and supporters who make this work possible. We look forward to continuing our partnership with you to provide best-interest advocacy to abused or neglected children in foster care in the state.

THANK YOU, DONORS!

Thank you to the donors who supported Georgia CASA for Fall 2023. Because of our donors' generosity, over 8,600 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 October 1 - December 31, 2023.


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

February 15: CASA Day at the Capitol (Atlanta)

March 7 - 8: All-Volunteer Supervisor Training and Recruiters' Meetup (Augusta)

April 16 - 18: Training of the Facilitator (Macon)

April 23: CASA on the Catwalk Fundraiser (Atlanta)

May 1 - 3: Council of Programs (St. Simons)

June 8 - 11: National CASA/GAL Association for Children Conference (Atlanta)


Coffee with CASA: In the Courtroom - Second Virtual Event

Watch the recorded video from this LinkedIn event on January 25th and please share with someone interested in learning more about the CASA volunteer opportunity!


Video About The Role of a CASA Volunteer
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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.