Chattahoochee CASA 2012 Annual Report A program of Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc. Court Appointed Special Advocate Meet Our Staff CASA Program Coordinator Rosalind Alston It is clear from the increasing numbers of suspected child abuse reports and the number of cases substantiated that the social service agencies and courts are tasked to do more with less resources. CASA is a resource that both can utilize. As the courts struggle to remain in compliance with the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, (CAPTA) and provide a Guardian Ad Litem for every child, the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) authorizes a CASA volunteer to fulfill this role. CASA Volunteers can assist DFCS by providing information for family assessments, reaching out to relatives, case plan and permanency planning, monitoring court orders and timelines, reporting case progress as well as providing additional watchful oversight of children by monthly face-to-face visits. CASA communicates essential findings to both DFCS and the court. In this difficult climate it is essential that all agencies work together and not against each other. The safety, health and well-being of children are our collective responsibility. Although each of us approach the case with our own unique perspectives and life experiences, it takes all perspectives to help children overcome the adverse effects they face being victims of child abuse and neglect which often manifest into behavioral, social and emotional difficulties. The children and families we serve need all of us. We may not take the same route but we are all trying to reach the same destination; happy and well adjusted children who reach desirable permanency outcomes. Heather Irvin Advocate Coordinator “It is a true honor to work with volunteers that have such a strong passion for our children in the foster care system.” Alaina Barnett Advocate Supervisor “Making an impact on the life of a child is analogous to how the Grinch’s heart grew three times larger when he caught the Christmas Spirit.” CASA Photo Gallery Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc. Agency Mission The mission of Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc. (TCYFS) is to provide programs and services empowering children, youth and families to achieve their optimum potential. Chattahoochee CASA Program Mission Chattahoochee CASA recruits, screens, trains and supervises highly qualified volunteers to advocate for abused and neglected children involved in juvenile court deprivation proceedings. Purpose Chattahoochee CASA began as a program under Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc. in 2008 and is an affiliate of the National CASA and the Georgia CASA Association. A CASA is a trained community volunteer who is appointed by a judge to advocate on behalf of a child in deprivation hearings. CASA Volunteers are required to complete 30 hours of classroom training and 10 additional hours of self directed study. Once sworn-in by the judge as a CASA Volunteer, they are required to obtain 12 additional hours of annual inservice training . In the Courtroom... Judge Warner Kennon Chattahoochee CASA has a long standing relationship with the Honorable Judge Warner Kennon since 2008. Judge Kennon has proven to be an advocate for children and CASA. As the Presiding Judge, he continues to support our efforts in being a voice for abused and neglected children in the Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. His support has been the foundation of our continuing relationship with Juvenile Court. Judge Kennon’s support and presence has been greatly appreciated in our annual events. Judge Andrew Dodgen We gladly welcome the Honorable Judge Andrew Dodgen. He has been the Juvenile Court Judge since October 2011 and has already become a supporter of CASA. This is demonstrated by his leading our CASA Walk, participating in United Way site reviews, swearing-in ceremonies and the importance he places on the role of CASA in the courtroom. Judge Dodgen ensures that CASA has an opportunity to serve on cases that will benefit the child and family and on cases he thinks needs an independent and objective third party view. Child Advocate Attorney Robert Wilson Child Advocate Attorney, Robert Wilson, has been serving a vital role in the courtroom for abused and neglected children in Muscogee County for 15 years. Attorney Wilson focuses on the child. He ensures the right questions are being asked and that case plans or completed as ordered in effort to ensure permanency outcomes are in the best interest of the child. With CASA’s independent knowledge of the case along with Attorney Wilson’s knowledge of the law and policy, together we can achieve full representation of the child’s needs and best interest. Volunteer Advocates Hearings/Panels/Reports Advocate’s Hours/Miles 52 Hearings Attended 70 Panels Attended 127 Reports Submitted 1,990 Hours 11,471 Miles Demographics Gender Age 21-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+ Male Race/Ethnicity Female AA White Hispanic 2% 15% 11% Multi-ethnic Other 5% 3% 17% 9% 52% 38% 34% 83% 31% Outcomes Recruitment/Retention of Volunteers FY 2012 45 40 40 35 Retained 30 32 25 New New 20 Retained 15 Exited 15 10 Exited 5 0 New Retained Revenues Fundraiser/ Donations 2,833 United Way 50,000 VOCA 36,140 GA CASA 31,757 National CASA 35,000 Exited Volunteer Activities 1,163 Trainings 2,865 Expenses Children 290 Reserves 10,000 Program/Admin General Operating 23,695 Salaries/Benefits 117,717 Program Statistics “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. —Helen Keller Children Statistics Chattahoochee CASA Children “Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence” — Nelson Mandela Demographics Age 0-5 yrs 6-11 yrs Gender 12-17 yrs 18 + yrs Male Race/Ethnicity Female AA White Hispanic 0% 0% 6% 35% Multi-ethnic 45% 11% 48% 18% 52% 65% 20% Outcomes Permanency Reunification Place with Relative 16 Adoption Emancipation Long-term Foster Care Other 15 14 13 12 10 8 6 4 5 4 3 2 2 0 Reunification Place with Relative Adoption Emancipation Long-term Foster Care Other Other Satisfaction Survey Summary Stakeholder’s Satisfaction Surveys were completed in September 2011. Responses were weighted on a pseudo-Lykert 5 point scale as follows; Completely Satisfied 100%, Very Satisfied 90%, Satisfied 80%, Somewhat Satisfied 70%, Not Satisfied 60%. Results 95% 90% 85% 80% 75% 70% Volunteers Attorneys Volunteers Attorneys Court Staff Court Staff DFCS DFCS Validity factors: 3 of 6 responses from Attorneys & 6 of 24 staff responses from DFCS CASA Photo Gallery CASA Photo Gallery CASA Volunteers July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012 5 + years Alaina Barnett Charlie House 1 - 2 years Less than 1 year Deborah Bass Willie Adkins Gina Boren Lacramioara Blackwell Veda Brown Twilla Booker Mae Delgado Jackie Brown 2 - 4 years Kimberly Gill Apryl Campbell Dexter Barrow Daimah Hameed Jamie Capers Tonia Bell Demetrius Hardaway Arcasia Cohen Komeka Biddle Tamara Hardnett Tyila Cooks Tamika Blythers Amanda Hinen David Davis Mary Boston Nicole Lee Freddie Dupree Erica Brown Peggy Little Shaquita Fanning Andrew Cox Nicole Lobo Christina Green Ellen Greer LaShawndee May Kimberly Hollis Kathy Hogencamp Sandra Montgomery Mark Hunter Darlene Jackson Latasha Morss Brenda Jones Tomacia Johnson Valencia Pease Amber Lewis Barbara Jordan Tivika Reed Vicki Lieberman Sarah Littrell Angela Rhein Ty Marchand Shelia Lovely Nikki Mitchell Deborah Roush Denise Means Nancy Morrison Kimberly Seldon Minnie Moody Julie Nucklos Agnes Shelton Frank Steele Kimberly Smith Jessica Shelton Michelle Summers Davrae Stokes Melanie Smith Desonuia Wise Latrivia Turner Laurie Smithson Pamela Vandusseldorp Danielle Spain Tracy Williams Antonio Thornton Jacqueline Williams Tiffany Wilson 2012 CASA Events CASA Quarterly and Community Trainings, Swearing-In Ceremonies/ Receptions, Fountain City Foster Care Picnic, CASA Volunteer Christmas Party, Fountain City Foster Care Christmas Party, CASA Day at the Capital, GA CASA State Conference, “I am for the child” Walk, National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Event, Volunteer Appreciation Activities, TRI-DVS Awards Luncheon and National CASA Conference in Washington, DC. Michelle and Teyana’s Story CASA 2011-2012 Advisory Board Andy Young, President Mike Angstadt Kyle Bair Sheri Cody David Ebron, LCSW Yolanda Fripp Mary Hayes Carolyn Hester Kathy Hogencamp Henry Holt Mary Norwood Tom Tebeau Desonuia Wise James Worsley, PhD CASA 2011-2012 Volunteer Committee Debbie Bass Komeka Biddle Tamika Blythers Jackie Brown David Davis Shaquita Fanning Ellen Greer Amanda Hinen Kathy Hogencamp Nicole Lee Angela Rhein Jessica Shelton Laurie Smithson Danielle Spain Teyana came into foster care a few years ago and was quickly appointed a CASA, Michelle Summers. Teyana didn’t know what to think about her CASA at first because she didn’t know what CASA was. As the relationship developed Teyana discovered she had a voice in the courtroom. CASA to her means, “MY court Advocate. No one ever asked me what I wanted until my CASA came along and then I felt like I was empowered,” reports Teyana. “She was different; she was joyful, happy, uplifting and it was refreshing. Some of my most memorable moments were when I first met Michelle and she made a homemade pillowcase that said, ‘Stand up for what you believe in’ with her phone number on it so I could always reach her. I felt like I could talk openly with her. If I could tell other foster children about CASA, I would say, ‘if you really want something, then your CASA can relay that to the Judge’. You’re NOT just another case. My CASA helped me to reach a permanent placement. After I ran away and came back, Michelle recommended to the court that my foster parents get guardianship of me; she gave me a voice in my preferred placement.” Although Teyana’s case is now closed, she hopes to continue her relationship with Michelle for a long time. She plans to finish her GED and enroll in Virginia College’s surgical technician program. She then plans to join the military and hopes to one day become a surgeon. Foster Parent Association Collaboration Chattahoochee CASA has been collaborating with the Fountain City Foster Parent Association since 2009 by supporting their Back To School Picnic with book bags, school supplies, refreshments and chaperones. Our lives have been enriched as a result of participating in the Annual Christmas Party by assisting with set-up and clean-up, acting as servers and providing gifts to the children in care. Foster Parents provide a valuable resource for our children and CASA is privileged and honored to work with them. Chattahoochee Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) 18 Ninth Street • Suite 104 • Columbus, GA 31901 Phone: 706.327.9612 • Fax: 706.327.7904 [email protected] • www.twincedars.org • http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chattahoochee-CASA/303455620367 Member of National CASA Association and Georgia CASA Association
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