CASA CONNECTOR

Winter 2025

GEORGIA CASA STRATEGIC PLAN 2025 - 2028

Georgia CASA has a new strategic plan! Partnering with Purpose Possible on the creation of the plan, the strategic planning process began this past summer with a kick-off session and culminated in late 2024. In addition to the strategic planning committee’s regular meetings, which included board and staff members, the process included an environmental scan and interviews with interested parties.

The following four organizational priorities were identified:

--Statewide Advocacy Alignment

--Data-Driven Impact

--Visibility and Brand Awareness

--Internal Capacity Building

The strategic plan includes goals, strategies, and metrics of success for each priority. Jen King, Executive Director, states that, “The Georgia CASA Team and our Board will be working towards the goals on a day-to-day basis. We are committed to strengthening and supporting our CASA affiliates throughout the state with our new strategic initiatives and appreciate the role you play in this process. We look forward to sharing our successes over the next three years.”

Click here to view the Strategic Plan. We wanted to share it with the community so you can all see what we’re planning for the future. If you know others who need to know about our plans, please share!

THANK YOU, DONORS!

Thank you to the donors who supported Georgia CASA for Fall 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 October 1 - December 31, 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!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Luncheon & Fashion Show Fundraiser - "CASA on the Catwalk"

On Wednesday, April 23rd, supporters of Georgia CASA will gather at the annual signature fundraiser, “CASA on the Catwalk,” at a private club in Buckhead, to celebrate another year of helping to improve the lives of the children the CASA organization in Georgia serves. Honoree will be Kathy O’Neal from Houston County and emcee will be Deidra Dukes with FOX5 Atlanta. Women’s spring fashions from Tootsies will be featured. The luncheon event also includes a silent auction, and new this year, a paddle raise.

The event is expected to sell out at 300 attendees, so purchase your individual tickets, tables, and/or sponsorships now! Prices increase after March 25th. Please click here to visit the event website for more details and to make a purchase.

Georgia CASA Conference - Save the Date

Save the date for Saturday, August 23rd for the annual Georgia CASA Conference. The event will be returning to the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center.

Pictured at right: Attendees enjoy the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at the 2024 Georgia CASA Conference

AFFILIATE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:

JUVENILE COURT OF COBB COUNTY/CASA

In each issue, Georgia CASA highlights one of our affiliate CASA programs in the state. Please take a moment to read more about the CASA program serving Cobb County, headquartered in Marietta and operating for 33 years.

Tell us how many volunteers you had last year along with how many children were served.

Cobb County CASA had 95 volunteers and 184 children served.

How many CASA team members do you have?

We have four team members: Mari, Kimberly, Nikki, and Grace (pictured above).

What is the service area?

Cobb County

What is the favorite thing about your community?

It's hard to pick one! The small-town feel, the history of Cobb County, and the shopping and restaurants all contribute to create a community we love.

What is a unique tradition or event your affiliate holds annually?

For the past 21+ years, Cobb County CASA has been selected by Alight to be the recipients for sponsoring CASA children for Christmas. The Alight team purchases Christmas gifts for several of our CASA children every year. They have provided gifts for over 1,100 children!

What is your team's favorite local spot to grab lunch or coffee?

Cool Beans is a MUST in the morning for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or cider. For lunch, we love to eat at Marietta Square Market or Thaicoon Sushi.

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a CASA volunteer?

Do not shy away from being a CASA volunteer because the role can be difficult; anything worth your time can be hard. The benefit of the work of a CASA volunteer to the children served make any obstacles worth it.
Stay in touch with your CASA coordinator. Being a CASA volunteer is not meant to be done on your own. If you try it this way, you can burn out quickly.
Keep your “why” before you so you can overcome any obstacles that may arise within a case.
Be patient, understanding, child focused, and open minded. Approach is everything!

Share a recent mission moment:

Our mission is lived out every time a child is reunited with their parents. Our mission is seen when a child’s grades come up or when one of their goals is achieved. Our mission is seen when a child speaks in court about their CASA volunteer and the difference he or she has made in their life. Our mission is seen when our CASA children graduate and walk across their school stage. Our mission is seen everyday with at least one of our CASA children.

NOTABLE NEWS TIDBITS

Georgia CASA Team Members: Role Changes and New Members

Ali Jordan has been named Georgia CASA's Training Director. On staff for 16 years, Ali was previously the Training & Data Manager. She is excited to elevate and support training in all aspects for CASA volunteers and staff as she now focuses exclusively on training.

Shauna McCullough-Hightower has been named Georgia CASA's Data Specialist. Shauna originally came to Georgia CASA as the Network Services Coordinator in 2022 and is excited to move into this newly established role that will enable better informed decision-making, improve service delivery, and further support advocacy efforts through the use of impactful data.

Georgia CASA will soon welcome two new team members: LaDonna Collins as Child and Family Wellbeing Director and Miriam Wade as Network Services Coordinator. LaDonna will join in February and Miriam in March. We look forward to the skills they will add to the team and will share more about them in a future newsletter issue.

Coffee with CASA Links

Have you missed a previous Coffee with CASA virtual event on LinkedIn? Each episode is recorded so be sure to check out any missed episode that interests you. Go to Georgia CASA's LinkedIn page and view past events. Click register for the episode you want to watch:

Educational Advocacy - January 2025
Volunteer Training - December 2024
Putting People First - October 2024
A Foster Parent Perspective - July 2024
The Volunteer Experience - May 2024
Building Rapport with Your CASA Kid - March 2024
CASA 101 - October 2023

Be on the lookout for emails about future bi-monthly Coffee with CASA events!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 7 - 8: All-Volunteer Supervisor Meeting (Flowery Branch)

April 8 - 10: Training of the Facilitator (Macon)

April 23: Luncheon & Fashion Show, "CASA on the Catwalk" (Buckhead)

April 30 - May 2: Spring Council of Programs (St. Simons)

August 23: Save the Date: Georgia CASA Conference (Atlanta)

September 4 - 7: Save the Date: National CASA/GAL Association Conference (Atlanta)

Video About The Role of a CASA Volunteer

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Interested in joining us to support CASA in Georgia?

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Support Georgia CASA through Kroger Community Rewards! Our rewards number is IY574 or search by our full name - Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates.

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

Georgia CASA Conference - Save the Date

AFFILIATE PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:

﻿JUVENILE COURT OF COBB COUNTY/CASA

JUVENILE COURT OF COBB COUNTY/CASA