CASA News A Publication of Court Appointed Special Advocates of Harford County Spring 2012 Ross DiEdoardo, Executive Director The Dollars and Sense of CASA Volunteers a message from National CASA CEO, Michael Piraino CASA volunteers save hundreds of millions of dollars in child welfare costs alone. The annual survey of CASA programs shows that children with CASA volunteers spend 7.5 months less in foster care than children in the general foster care population. It costs the federal government $3,250 per month to keep a child in the foster care system. Every child with a CASA volunteer saves the taxpayer approximately $24,375 per year. For the 240,000 children served by CASA volunteers in 2010, this represents a savings of $5.850 billion in unnecessary foster care costs. Put another way, federal funding for CASA for Children reaps a 30 to 1 return on investment. A single grant-funded CASA program staff person supports 30 trained volunteer workers serving as many as 75 children within a year. In 2010, an estimated 75,000 volunteers provided 5.8 million advocacy hours for 240,000 children. If those volunteers had been compensated, their service represents the equivalent of $300 million in taxpayer dollars – but CASA volunteers provide their services for free. Inside this issue: In all this talk of money, let’s not lose sight of the children we serve. So let’s talk about what those dollars mean in the life of a child – a child who has been neglected or abused. Every day a child spends “in the system” is a day they can never get back. Imagine spending 7.5 additional months without a permanent home. Never knowing whether you’ll have to pack up your belongings and move to another placement. Never knowing whether it’s OK to settle in and get to know your teacher. To make friends. To plan for summer vacation. All those extra months wondering what will happen next. All children deserve a safe, nurturing permanent home. A child with a CASA volunteer has a much better chance of finding that home—that “forever family”—sooner. Federal investment in CASA for Children is tiny. The impact of that investment is huge. (See page 3 for how CASA is making a difference in Harford County.) 2nd Annual CASA Bull and Oyster Roast We held our 2nd Annual Bull and Oyster Roast on February 25, 2012 at Jarrettsville Gardens with catering by Sterling Caterers. The event was a tremendous success and we welcomed 40% more guests to the event from last year! A special portion of the evening involved receiving a certificate of recognition from Senator Barbara Mikulski’s office, presented by Justin Hayes, Deputy Projects Director for the Senator for our volunteers and the hard work they do on behalf of the children of Harford County. The certificate was received by The Honorable M. Elizabeth Bowen, the newest appointee to the Harford County Circuit Court and the founding Board President of CASA of Harford County. Guests enjoyed music by All American DJ’s, great food, a money wheel, raffles and a terrific list of silent auction items. Our Event Sponsors Bel Air Orthodontics Harford Bank Freedom Federal Credit Union Garceau Realty Glenda’s Day Spa Jarrettsville Federal Savings and Loan Jones Junction Waters Auto Supply Page 2 CASA of Harford County got results in 2011! • 53 volunteers served children during the year • 20 new volunteers completed training and were sworn in • 88 children were served with an advocate • 32 children’s cases closed • 87.5% of those cases closed with a child in a permanent placement: 10 returned to their parent/s 5 were adopted 8 were placed with other relatives 5 were living independently in stable placements CASA of Harford County Volunteers make a difference!! Congratulations and Welcome to all of our 2011 new graduates! Spring 2011 Kim Bates Brian Bobrow June Bond Pam Dorsey Melissa Gordon Dolores McGee Cindy Nichipor Marc Proudford Marcie Wade-Colbert Deborah Warder Denise Williams Kristen Willig Lynn Winkler Fall 2011 Jayne Haiber Valerie Hayes Angelina Jones Pat Lovett Ruthie Trent Marcella Heilig Karrie Beasley Make sure you check us out on the web. We can be found at : www.casaofharfordcounty.org Here you’ll find our calendar of events, downloadable application materials and much more! Also: Page 3 Lift up a child’s voice. A child’s life.™ Ways to support CASA of Harford County There are a number of very simple ways you can support our work for children here in Harford County including: • Make a tax deductible contribution to our agency through our website or over the phone. • Donate your used car through Donation Line, LLC by visiting: www.donationline.com/newvehicle_donation_form.shtml?n=CASA_of_Harford_County • Consign your used items at Everything Goes Consignments & More at 107 S. Main Street in Bel Air and tell them you want the items to be donated to the CASA of Harford County account. • Become a CASA Volunteer yourself or... Find someone you know that you think would make a great advocate and tell them about us.