News from CASA Of Central Texas Inc.

CASA Up Close

CASA of Central Texas advocates for abused and neglected children in the court system by recruiting, training and supporting community volunteers.

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.

Letter from the Executive Director

A Year in the Life of CASA

      What a great year 2016 has been! We have so much to be thankful for as we enter the new year.

     Throughout 2017, we will be sharing a deeper view of our world at CASA - the children we work with, the child welfare system, our CASA volunteers.

     We will walk you through a year in a case of an abused child, with each month focusing on a theme and exploring all aspects of it. Our newsletter, social media and outreach will all be used to provide more information on each topic, all with the goal of learning more and more about our program.

     I hope you will find this journey interesting, educational, and eye opening. Take a look at our topics, we look forward to kicking it off in January!

January - An Unsafe Home: What a child experiences in an abusive home, different types of abuse, how abuse affects children.

February - A CPS Case Opens: Investigation by Child Protective Services, why a child is removed from their home, what parents are required to do.

March - In the Courtroom: Who is involved in a CPS case, what are their roles, how often does this happen?

April - The CASA Story: Why and how CASA was created, CASA of Central Texas milestones.

May- Volunteers Step Forward: Why CASA volunteers are qualified to advocate for children, background checks and training.

June - CASA is Appointed: How a judge involves CASA, the role of Guardian ad Litem, the CASA volunteer-supervisor team.

July- Roles and Responsibilities: On a monthly basis, what does a CASA volunteer do?

August- The Real Impact: Real stories of volunteers making a difference for the children and youth.

September - Data Underscores the Need: Statistics, numbers, trends and projections.

October - Financial Support: Where and how CASA gets funding to continue serving the community and helping the children.

November - A CPS Case Closes: Various case outcomes for children and youth - safe, stable and loving homes.

December - Spread the Word: Share our message, help us find more volunteers and help more children in 2018.

Wishing all of our readers a safe and prosperous New Year!

Thank you,

Norma Castilla-Blackwell
Executive Director

Judge Voices


	Judge Melissa McClenahan

"I could not do my job without the advocates who come to court - the CASAs."

"Because, more often than not, they are the ones that help me decide, to get off the fence so to speak, and make the decisions that I need to make."

Become a CASA Volunteer


	Bill Raissle, CASA of Central Texas Volunteer since 2012.

2017 training courses are ready for you!

Wednesdays

San Marcos CASA office

January 18 - February 22

4:40 to 8:30 p.m.

Thursdays
New Braunfels CASA office
January 19 - February 23

1 to 5 p.m.

Saturdays

San Marcos CASA office

January 28 - February 25

8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Check out our calendar for dates and times for the rest of the year and for information on how to get enrolled.

For more information on training courses contact Volunteer Coordinator Samantha Mundine Coleman at 512-392-3578, 830-626-2272 or by email, or click here to visit our website.

Training is required for all new Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers.

The Volunteer Training Course is a 6-class series.

Welcome New CASA Volunteers

Our final class of 2016 was sworn in at the annual Advocate Appreciation Mixer on December 8th!
(l-r): Liz Decker of Comal County, Adrian Baker of Comal County, Cyndie Segovia of Comal County, Katy Lochridge of Guadalupe County and Tanya Brewer of Comal County.

Trainings for 2017 have been set. Check our calendar for dates.

Voices Tour Information Sessions

Want to learn more about the role of a CASA Volunteer?
Come to ribbon

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.

Voices Tours

New Braunfels

Wednesday, January 4th, noon
CASA office

San Marcos

Wednesday, January 18th, noon

Historic County Courthouse, 1st floor conference room

Seguin

Wednesday, January 23rd, noon
GVEC Community Room

Schertz

Wednesday, January 26th, 6 p.m.
GVEC Community Room

Please RSVP to Eloise Hudson by email or at 830-626-2272.

Would you like to host a CASA Voices Tour in your town? Please contact us.

Lunch provided by Fox's Pizza Den in New Braunfels and Chick-fil-A in San Marcos.

Holiday Toy and Gift Drive


CASA Volunteer Advocate Mary Lee McCown picks up gifts to deliver to her CASA child.

Thanks to our supporters, the wishlists of 270 children and youth were filled!

CASA volunteers are delivering personalized gifts to their children in time for the holidays.

Thank you to everyone who participated: Alisha Stanley, Alyssa Cohee, Amanda Pair, Barrie Breed, Bath and Body Works - Premium Outlets, Bright Family, Buda United Methodist Church, Canyon Lake Retired Teachers Association, Carolyn Knighton, Cynthia De La Cruz, Deborah Rountree, Dee Dee and Peter Baen, Elizabeth Scheffer, Ellen Anderson, Ellen Cruz, Emily Hutchison, GE Oil & Gas, Grandma's Stocking Guil d, Ha rborth Family, Health Information Management Student Association, Heritage Texas Properties, Huisache Grill, Jamie Stroble,


	Members of St. Thomas Catholic Church - Canyon Lake deliver toys to CASA.

Jennifer Luna, Jo Willia ms, John Manthey, Jon Cates, Julia Cli ne, Kaye Lynch, Kindred Hospice, Kyle United Methodist Church, Laura McMillan, Lisa Metzler, M aria Thompson, Marie Rio, Marissa Terreo, Mary Eisenburg, Naomi and Richard Medina, New Balance Factory Store, New Braunfels Girl Scouts, Omega Phi Alpha - Alpha Nu, Pan American Golf Association San Marcos, Patricia McCaleb, Prosperity Bank - New Braunfels , Randolph Brooks Fe deral Credit Union- Wonder World Drive San Marcos, Red Hat Ladies of Mariposa, Rhonda Bartling, Rhonda Flores, Sandy Brimhall, St. Thomas Catholic Church - Canyon Lake, Suzanna Anthony, Suzanne Williams, Texas State University Health

Information Managem ent Department Staff, and The Wing Society.

Jodie Claes (second from left) brought gifts from Kyle United Method Church.

Annual Volunteer Appreciation Mixer


	CASA Executive Director Norma Blackwell, Santa Claus (CASA Volunteer Bob Williams), and CASA Volunteer Nancy Deckard.

We had a great time celebrating our volunteers at the annual Appreciation Mixer.

It was a night to say Thank You to our current Advocates, and to welcome new ones.

We had a great 2016 and we look forward to seeing you all in 2017!

Have a Ball With Your CASA Child

CASA of Central Texas has been invited to be special guests at two upcoming ball games. Volunteers can enjoy the games with their CASA children, their own families, or request tickets for the placement of their CASA children.

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl nutting

What: The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is an East versus West showdown that features the top 90 high school football players from across the country and the nation's top 125 high school marching musicians who perform during half-time.

When: Saturday, January 7, 2017, noon

Where: Alamodome, Downtown San Antonio

More info: www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com

For Tickets: Pick up free general admission tickets at either CASA office.

St. Edward's University Women's Basketball

What: St. Edward's vs. Texas A&M - International University Women's Basketball Game.

"CASA Day": Special recognition of CASA during halftime. CASA Meet and Greet with the team after the game. Then stay to watch the men's team play!

When: Saturday, January 7, 2017, 1 p.m.

Where: 3002 S. Congress Avenue, Austin

For Tickets: RSVP to Eloise Hudson by email by January 2, 2017 to receive free admission (or call 830-626-2272)

The Gift That Gives Back

We ar e committed to the vision of providing a CASA volunteer for every child who needs one. We need your help to bridge the gap.

Please consider making a year-end gift to CASA of Central Texas.Your generosity will mean so much to children in foster care today.

Community Support

Painting with a Twist in New Braunfels hosted Painting with a Purpose for CASA. Thank you to our auxiliary board The Wing Society for hosting the event.