April 2018 | In This Issue
Child Abuse Persists: A National Tragedy 

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It is April. Spring and... child abuse prevention month. Time to remind ourselves that many of our children are suffering and we can do something about that. It is possible.

The latest report on child maltreatment from the U.S. Department Of Health and Human Services/Administration for Families and Children shows that in 2015, social service agencies received around 4 million referrals involving approximately 7.2 million children. These were reports of children suspected of being maltreated. In the end, after all screening and analyses, 683,000 were reported as victims: 75.3 percent of neglect, 17.2 percent of physical abuse, 8.4 percent of sexual abuse; and 6.9 percent other. And 1,670 children died in 2015 victims of abuse and neglect.

We know also from the 2015 report that most of the perpetrators are their parents. In 96 percent of the cases one or both parents were the perpetrators, in 70 percent a mother alone was the perpetrator, and in 13.3 percent a male not the child's father was the perpetrator.




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.
Child Advocacy Services CASA volunteers helped 11 children find safe,  permanent homes in March.  Becoming a CASA volunteer is an investment of time, energy and heart.

As many volunteers have said of the children they worked with:  "It wasn't about what I gave them, it was what they showed me."

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CAS CASA Logo
(CASA) Court Appointed Special Advocates provides a voice for children as 
 they navigate through the court system to help them reach a safe and 
 permanent home. Be the 1. Be A CASA. Volunteer Today!

CASA VOLUNTEER TRAININGS 

St. John & St. Charles - April 9th.
Tangipahoa & St. Helena -  April 11th.
Livingston - May 21st.
Ascension, Assumption & St. James - May 24th.
East & West Feliciana - TBD
Click the button below. 
   
Happy Anniversary!
Thank You For Your Dedication and Commitment to CAS! 
Rosemary S. - 8 years Thomas F. - 5 years Christine H. - 3 years
Violet S. - 2 years

Tammy B. - 2 years Mary W. - 2 years
Lexanne R. - 1 year Donna D. - 1 year Asayo D. - 1 years
Jodi L. - 1 year Jammi A. - 1 year Yontellia B. - 1 year
Juandalynn B. - 1 year Shelly F. - 1 year Angie D. - 1 year



Congratulations On Your New Forever Home! 
   
    
Congratulations to Brooklyn and  Kaleb Shinabery. They were adopted by Jason and Tina Shinabery on March 8, 2018 by Judge Jeff Oglesbee. Thanks to their CASA, Kelsey Franklin, for seeing her kids all the way through adoption. 

Congratulations and Welcome To Our Newest CASA Advocates! 
     
Chris B., Monica R., Mandy Jo. P.         Michelle K.                   Ida June F. &  Megan Currier

Marilyn Head
Florida Parishes Volunteer Spotlight

 
Marilyn Head was sworn in as a CASA on March 31, 2015.  She has been assigned to three cases and is still currently active on two of them.  Marilyn has helped see one of her children reunified with their parents, and hopefully will be seeing another adopted next month!  When one of Marilyn's children was moved to New Orleans, Marilyn was adamant in continuing her commitment to the child.  Marilyn advocates for small children and infants who do not have the ability to speak their wishes and wants. Marilyn closely monitors her CASA child's milestones, body language and developmental needs to make sure she is able to make the most appropriate recommendations on behalf of the CASA child. Marilyn feels that CASA has given her the opportunity to help change a child's life. If she could tell others about the CASA program, she would say that it is important to help children and give back to your community in whatever way you can.
 
Marilyn resides in the Denham Springs area.  She is married with two children, six grand-children, and one great-grand child.  She worked as a nurse for 44 years at Baton Rouge General.  She was honored last year by Baton Rouge General and was put in their Hall of Fame.  She has opened her home to foreign exchange students and has a passion for reading.  Marilyn is full of wonderful stories about her life, and if you are lucky enough, she might share one with you.  We are truly grateful for Marilyn and her passion for her CASA children.



John Cornwell
River Parishes Volunteer Spotlight


 John Cornwell was born in New Orleans, LA. He is married to his wife of 39 years and they have three children and five grandchildren. Mr. John is a graduate of St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, LA., and Lake Forest College where he received his Bachelor's  degree in Sociology . He later continued on to obtain his M.B.A. from the University of New Orleans. Mr. John Cornwell is a retiree from Louisiana State Police for 22 years, and St. Charles Parish Sheriff's office of 18 years. He is a former President of the St. Charles Parish Rotary Club and former District Governor Rotary District 6840.   

Mr. John Cornwell was sworn in as a CASA June 5, 2017. He has been assigned to a case that involves a sibling group of three young boys and he is currently active on them. Mr. John is a positive male role model in the boys lives and devotes countless hours to making sure their voice is being heard. He drives to three different placements to make his visits and has not missed one visit yet since being assigned to this case. Mr. John is very dedicated to his role as a CASA. He is very passionate about providing voice, healing, and security to the children he serves. 

When Mr. John was asked why did he want to become a CASA, he responded by saying "I want to give back! I want to be able to do whatever I can to help protect a child from harm." We are so thankful in the River Region to have Mr. John providing voice, healing, and security to the children we serve. 


CASA Volunteer "Best Practices" For Effective Advocacy

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Our volunteers are absolutely amazing and somehow manage to incorporate their CASA work into their already busy lives. The common thing that we hear from some of our strongest advocates is that it is stressful for them to get all of it done. We've talked with some of our CASA Volunteers that seem to manage with the least amount of stress about their strategy and have come up with some "Best Practice" tips to guide you in your advocacy.




Upcoming Darkness to Light Trainings 
 
Thursday, April 12th - 5:00 - 7:00 PM

 
Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month
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The signs of child abuse are not always obvious, and a child might not tell anyone what is happening to them.  Children are sometimes scared that the abuser will find out, and worried that the abuse might get worse. They might also think that there is no one they can tell or that no one will believe them. The perpetrator is usually someone that the child knows and trusts - a family member, a friend, a friend's family member, a coach, neighbor, etc.  Sometimes, children do not realize that what is happening is abuse. It is important that adults are aware of the warning signs of child abuse. 
  
  More helpful resources:  Parenting A Child Who Has Experienced Trauma

Have a suggestion? Please contact either Angela Golden agolden@childadv.net , Ashleigh Fuller afuller@childadv.net , or Marcy Willett mwillett@childadv.net to let them know.
Plant. Protect. Prevent!
        
PLANT.  Join us. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Plant a pinwheel garden at your home, church, business, or organization.
  • Personal Pinwheel Garden: Make a donation and receive a Personal Pinwheel Garden to plant at your home or business! Kit includes 10 pinwheels, garden sign, collateral, and a BAG with a purpose.
  • Public Pinwheel Garden: Offered to companies or groups interested in taking action to prevent child abuse. Plant a pinwheel garden at your business or public location. Kit includes 25 pinwheels (or additional as requested), signage, and collateral. Public Pinwheel Gardens are offered in recognition of a minimum donation of $150.
PROTECT. Displaying pinwheels in the community helps create awareness and a dialogue around this important issue. Your ACTION improves the protection and safety of children in our community.

PREVENT! Learn more. Get trained in the 5 Steps for Protecting Children. Share and talk to to others. 
Recognize the signs and react responsibly. Volunteer to become a CASA. 
 

               

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. 


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.
 

  
Be the thread of hope for a child!

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