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October 2018 | In This Issue
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Effects of Domestic Violence
Click here to read the rest of the article.
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Three Generations of CASA Volunteers
This is a story about the educational journey of Amanda Bittola, Advocate Supervisor at Child Advocacy Services that has turned into a labor of love for an entire family. It all started when Amanda became a CASA volunteer after learning about the program in her social work class at Southeastern. She felt that this was such an eye opening experience that all these things are happening where you live and you never knew about it. She learned that more and more kids are coming into care every day, which is why she tells everyone to become a CASA volunteer. After serving as a volunteer, she had an opportunity to intern at CAS in the fall semester of 2016. She was offered an Advocate Supervisor position in the Hammond office in April of 2017.
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Child Advocacy Services CASA volunteers
helped 23 children find safe,
permanent homes in September through adoption or reunification.
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CASA VOLUNTEER TRAININGS
St. John and St. Charles - Training going on now!
East and West Feliciana - October 10th
Livingston,Tangipahoa and St. Helena - October 22nd
Ascension, Assumption and St. James - November 8th
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Thank You For Your Dedication and Commitment.
Happy CASA Anniversary!
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Mary C. - 13 years
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Lesia R. - 4 years |
Melissa H. - 3 years
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| Melissa D. - 10 years |
Macy B. - 4 years |
Melissa M. - 2 years
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Melinda R. - 8 years
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Sherry R. - 4 years |
Phil M. - 1 year
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| Velma A. - 8 years |
Debra S. - 4 years |
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| Patricia L. - 5 years |
Kylee B. - 3 years |
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Congratulations and Welcome To Our Newest CASA Advocates!
Tami Price and
Jay Labarre were recently sworn into the 21st JDC by Judge Blair Edwards.
Troyneesha Hurst and Emily Williams were recently sworn into the 21st JDC by Judge Blair Edwards.
Alicia Johnson was recently sworn into the 29th JDC by Judge Lauren Lemmon.
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Tiffany Ingram
Livingston Parish Volunteer Spotlight
Tiffany Ingram has been a CASA volunteer in Livingston Parish since 2014. Tiffany became a CASA when she and a friend decided that they wanted to give back and do more for the children of her community. She has served a total of five children on two different cases as a CASA. Tiffany has used so many of the things she has learned in her role as a CASA in obtaining her Master's degree in Social Work from LSU. Tiffany now works for Livingston Parish Pupil Appraisal as a School Social Worker. Her heart has always been to help children in need and provide guidance in seeing that their futures are bright and full of possibilities.
Tiffany has stated that her role as a CASA has been very rewarding, but that there are times when it can become taxing. She has advocated for the same family for nearly three years and sometimes waiting to find a forever home for a child can be frustrating. Tiffany has stated that the best experiences she has had as a CASA have been to see children find permanence, whether by reunifying with their families or being adopted. The most challenging moments for her have been to see a parents' rights have to be terminated. Tiffany mentioned that it's never easy seeing that a parent was not able to meet their goals to have their children returned to them. When asked what advice she would give to other CASAs, Tiffany has stated "Be consistent. Be there for the children. Sometimes, a CASA is the child's only stable person in their lives."
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River Parishes Volunteer Spotlight
Debra lives in Gramercy and has been married for 36 years. She was sworn in on July 28, 2015 and has since advocated for 12 children. She currently is serving on two cases with five children traveling to multiple parishes. In 2014 she was helping a friend who was raising her grandchildren and she kept seeing the ad for the need of CASA Volunteers in the local newspaper and she decided to call our recruiter, Krisy Rice. She said she enjoys working with the children, getting to know their likes and dislikes, their hobbies, and seeing a positive outcome in their lives. She also said she sees the need for more volunteers in all areas.
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Optima Notes and Communication with Your Supervisor
Why Is This Important?
It seems that one of the most frustrating things for CASA Volunteers and Advocate Supervisors is the paperwork. Most of our CASA Volunteers go above and beyond the call of duty in visiting your assigned children, getting case updates from DCFS, observing parent visits, talking to parents about their progress, getting school reports, getting provider reports, and all of the many job duties of monitoring your CASA case. Volunteers also do a great job in keeping us (the advocate supervisors) informed and discussing what action steps are needed to further advocate for the children you are assigned to. We are, however, having some breakdowns in getting the necessary documentation back to us in your monthly Contact Logs and getting those logs timely. The following information will provide you with insight regarding exactly what we need to capture, why we need the information, and some tips to keep you on track with keeping the notes necessary to complete your final report.
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Remember to keep your CASA Volunteer file up-to-date with your current
auto insurance card, driver's license, and contact information.
And remember to visit your CASA child face-to-face at least
once a month.
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Stewards of Children is a revolutionary sexual abuse prevention training program that educates adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The program believes and teaches that child safety is an adult's job.Stewards of Children is designed for organizations that serve children and youth. Child Advocacy Services has trained facilitators that can offer this course to your organization for only $10.00 per individual. This fee includes your materials, certificate, and assists CAS in continuing our services for children through our CASA and CAC Programs.
Adults can also register to attend one of the Steward of Children trainings listed below:
Friday, October 19, 2018 - 9:00-11:00 AM at the Charles E. Cate Teacher Education Center at Southeastern Louisiana University: Register here.
Thursday, November 15, 2018 - 4:00-6:00 PM at the Charles E. Cate Teacher Education Center at Southeastern Louisiana University: Register here
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Suicide
There is no single cause to suicide. It often occurs when stressors exceed current coping abilities of someone suffering from a mental health condition. Over 40,000 people die each year by suicide in the United States. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages. Suicide is currently ranked as the second leading cause of death for youth (15 to 24 years old) in the United States behind accidents/road traffic. There is one death by suicide in the US every 12 minutes. (CDC). Talking about suicide does not cause someone to be suicidal.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255
Click here to learn more about risk factors and warning signs.
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We are excited to share that we are one of the beneficiaries of the 9th Annual Louisiana's 1st Choice Auto Auction Charity Golf Tournament. Interested in playing and supporting three organizations that are crucial parts of our community?
Don't forget to get your #GIVEAVOICE shirt in green or white with the Southeastern logo to wear to support our Lions and CAS!
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Brave children tell their stories. Courageous adults help these children through their trauma and assist them in finding a safe future.
Buttons of Bravery represent the journey of one child for a year under the care of Child Advocacy Services.
Help hold them together through their experience by participating in the Buttons of Bravery Child Sponsorship Program.
Thank you to our new and/or continuing Button of Bravery Child Sponsors.
Patricia Golembiewski
David and Judith Landry
Celeste Layrisson
Rob and Tara Peltier
Dear Community Supporter,
With your help, CAS served 523 children with 212 volunteers through our CASA program in 2017. Of those children, 172 were placed in safe and permanent homes. Additionally, we performed 618 forensic interviews and provided 413 hours of counseling to over 95 children through our CAC program.
Child Advocacy Services, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. We appreciate your consideration to start or renew your child sponsorship for 2018. Please remember your contribution is tax-deductible.
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Be the thread of hope for a child!
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To report Child Abuse or
Neglect
, call:
1-855-4LA-KIDS
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