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Spring 2015 Vol. 10

CASA Connection ofJackson CountyKeeping our Volunteers Informed & Connected

From the Desk of Martha Gershun, Executive Director Dear CASA Volunteers, It has been a busy first quarter here at Jackson County CASA. We have already accepted appointment for 72 children, includingseveral very large cases (involving 5 or more siblings) and somecases involving horrendous physical abuse. I am always amazedand humbled by the gracious tenacity of our CASA Volunteersand staff, who dig in and get the job done for every child werepresent, regardless of the difficult circumstances. We continue to work hard to recruit more volunteers and raisemoney to fund the staff to help more children ­ our goal for 2015is to grow by 15% to help 1,200 children in Jackson County. We're busy preparing for Light of Hope, which will be held onThursday morning, April 16, at the Sheraton Crown Center. Thiswonderful breakfast annually brings together over 1,100 of ourmost loyal CASA supporters from the business, legal, artistic, political, and child welfarecommunities ­ and many new friends, too. The event is free, and we use the opportunity to tellpeople about CASA and, hopefully, recruit new volunteers and raise money for our work. Everyyear we recruit numerous new CASA Volunteers at Light of Hope, and we raise about 25% ofour annual operating budget from this event. I hope to see each of you at Light of Hope on April 16. And I hope you will take this opportunityto invite your friends and family to join you, so they, too, can appreciate what you do. As always,we are deeply grateful for all you do for CASA and for the children you care for. Martha

CASA News

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Thank you Ann Goodrich!

In late February in CommissionerMerrigan's courtroom, we celebrated theadoption of Colt, Hollie, and Kamron bytheir grandparents Chris and GingerScharnhorst. They were joined by theirnew siblings Sara and Jake, their CASAVolunteer Ann Goodrich (holding Colt),and their Children's Division workerRenee Harris (far right). CASA StaffAttorney Kelle Gilmore represented thechildren as their Guardian ad Litem andLaura Williams was their CaseSupervisor. Congratulations to theScharnhorst family!

Thank you to The Giving Brick!

Thanks to The Giving Brick for donating Lego sets to some of our CASA children. Pictured: theLEGO blocks CASA Volunteer Carla Horn set up with her CASA child. Carla, "[my CASA boy]hasn't been allowed to play with his toys for a while due to behavioral issues, but he's anxious tobuild more thanks to the donated LEGO blocks." Thank you! Your support means the world to

the children we serve.

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Volunteer Spotlight

Julia Israel, Volunteer since 2004Laura Williams, Director of CaseSupervision, nominated Julia: "BecauseJulia speaks Spanish, she usually takescases in which the parents or relativecaretakers primarily speak Spanish. In oneparticular case, Julia was extremelyinstrumental in explaining the adoptionprocess to a step­father who was adoptinghis older three step­children. On hercurrent case, she communicates with thegrandmother who only speaks Spanish andis able to schedule visits and maintaincontact to ensure the children are gettingwhat they need."

How did you learn about CASA?

I read an advertisement in the Lee's Summit Newspaper in 2004. CASA was seeking volunteersto work with abused and neglected children placed under court jurisdiction. I contacted CASA tofind out more information. What made you want to become involved? I was working in Mental Health and was an active Mental Health Community Volunteer. When Ilearned about an opportunity to advocate on behalf of a child's best interest and make a positiveimpact in their lives, I knew that CASA was a cause I wanted to become involved with. What has been your greatest challenge as a CASA Volunteer? I constantly struggle when the Court has to terminate parental rights due to the parent's inabilityto successfully complete Court Orders. While CASA's goal is to reunite families, making surethat children will return to live in a safe home environment is the priority. What has been your greatest success as a CASA Volunteer?

Working on Hispanic cases has been very rewarding for me. Utilizing my bi­lingual skills to helpinterpret for a parent, grandparent or child who speak no English or limited English is ameaningful way for me to contribute to the Hispanic Community.

Roger Hagen,Volunteer since 2012 Amie Mueller, CASA Case Supervisor, nominated Roger: "Roger was a fantastic volunteer for amale teen placed in another area of the state. That kiddo was resourceful enough to run fromthat facility, leaving all his belongings behind. Later, when the kiddo was found, Roger drove allthe way to that facility (2 hours one way) to get the things and bring them to the teen. Roger alsowas an astounding advocate for the teen when the teen was back in the KC area, getting him

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into school and with family, visiting much more frequently thanonce a month and working wonderfully with the CD worker."

How did you hear about CASA?

I first learned about CASA in 1990 when I was volunteering atThe Children's Place. My role there was to help facilitate visitsbetween children in custody and their parents. Someone at thatorganization referred me to CASA. What made you want to become involved? I liked the idea of being able to actually affect the outcome of acase. I was immediately impressed with the professionalism ofthe organization, the training program and the full time staff. Iwas really intrigued by a selective volunteer programthat didn't just accept all applicants. What has been your greatest challenge as a CASAVolunteer? One of my recent cases involved an 18 year old boy who chose to run away from placements andservices that could have been very beneficial. This child had been in the system for a long time,and he felt like involvement from the system was a punishment. Over the past couple of years, Ihave come to realize that many CASA children feel like they did something wrong and, as aresult, they are being punished. They don't see any potential upside, they only know that theyhave to go to court and their behavior is reported to a judge even though they did not do anythingwrong in the first place. That is why CASA is so important. To tell them they did not do anythingwrong. What has been your greatest success as a CASA Volunteer? On my very first case, I utilized the credibility of CASA and the full power of the court to secure avery special placement for a child who I am certain would have otherwise been lost to thestreets. On many other occasions I have been able to directly connect my involvement to positiveresults for a child.

Upcoming Events

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Join us on Wednesday, April 29th from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Pierpont's of UnionStation (30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City, MO 64108) for the VolunteerAppreciation Event. Wear blue in support of Child Abuse Awareness Month. RSVP toMegan Hover.

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June 14, 2015 at Corporate Woods in Overland ParkRegister here.

Upcoming Volunteer In­ServicesYOUTH TAKE CHARGE BY JENNIFER CATO

Tuesday, April 7, 2015 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ­­ CASA Training Room

A brief overview of preventative exams required for children at various ages and stages, traumainformed care, and warning signs of developmental disorders. Along with a brief overview of howolder youth can because their own best advocates, how to locate resources, why preventativecare is important, and information about substance use/abuse and STD's.Please RSVP toMegan.

THE ROLE OF THE CHILDREN'S DIVISION WORKER PART TWO BY ANGELA MULLINS

Wednesday, April 8, 2015 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ­­ CASA Training Room

Learn the role of the Children's Division worker and their endless list of responsibilities. JoinAngela Mullins as she discusses how services are provided and court reports filed. Plus, learnmore about the different types of cases and the different types of workers. Please RSVP toMegan. THE HOMESTRETCH ON KCPT

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Monday, April 13, 2015 9 p.m. ­­ Your Living Room

On Monday, April 13th at 9 p.m., KCPT will air the Homestretch. The Homestretchfollows three homeless teens as they fight to stay in school, graduate, and create anew life. Each of these smart, ambitious youths ­ Roque, Kasey, and Anthony ­ willsurprise, inspire, and challenge audiences to rethink stereotypes of homelessness asthey work to complete their educations while facing the trauma of being alone andabandoned at an early age. While told through a personal perspective, their storiesconnect with larger issues of poverty, race, juvenile justice, immigration, foster care,and LGBTQ rights. Update your Optima training log to include this training (TrainingTopic: The Homestretch; Trainer: KCPT). Please include a brief summary of thedocumentary in your entry. RESTART, INC. BY EVIE CRAIG Wednesday, April 22, 2015 noon to 1:30 p.m. ­­ CASA Training Room

Voted one of 2015's Most Influential Women in Kansas City Business, Evie Craig has helmedreStart Inc. for 12 years in its fight to end homelessness. Many of the programs reStart, Inc.offers can benefit our CASA kids and families on the road to permanency. And some programs,like the new permanent housing development in Waldo, can help a drastically overlooked fostercare demographic ­ youth who have aged out. Please RSVP to Megan. HOW FOSTER PARENTS ARE RECRUITED AND TRAINED BY MARION MORRIS Thursday, May 7, 2015 noon to 1:30 p.m. ­­ CASA Training Room

Ever wonder how foster parents become foster parents? Join Marion Morris as he discusses theprocess of becoming a foster parent. He will discuss the application process, the selectionprocess, and training. He will also discuss the role of the licensing worker. Please RSVP toMegan.

ALL IN­SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT CASA (2544 HOLMES ST., KANSAS CITY, MO) UNLESS NOTEDOTHERWISE

CASA BookwormsCASA Volunteer RecommendationTo the End of June: The Intimate Life of American Foster Care edited by:Cris Beam Recommended by CASA Volunteer, Mary Lampton, To the End of June: The Intimate Life of AmericanFoster Cary is "the result of five years of research." Mary further explains, "The author examines theissues that foster parents face as well as those of the children. The overwhelming bureaucracy isexhausting for everyone. She reports on a variety of homes, their structure, make­up, and overalleffectiveness. There are many sad tales, but also those that are truly enlightening and hopeful. There are

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so many positive, heroic people who work to give children anotherchance to have a family. This is a fast paced book that is enlighteningand entertaining." To purchase your own copy of the To The End of June, please visitAmazon.

Compassion Fatigue edited by: Charles R. Figley, Ph.D.

This volume is the latest in a series that focuses on the immediate andlong­term consequences of highly stressful events. It focuses on thoseindividuals who provide therapy to victims of Post­Traumatic StressDisorder crisis and trauma counselors, Red Cross workers, nurses,and doctors. To purchase your own copy of the Compassion Fatigue, please visitAmazon.

The Compassion Fatigue Workbook by: Francoise Mathieu et al. The Compassion Fatigue Workbook is a lifeline for any helping professional facing the physical andemotional exhaustion that can shadow work in the helping professions. Since 2001 the activities inthisWorkbook have helped thousands of helpers in the fields of healthcare, community mental health,correctional services, education, and the military. In addition to a comprehensive description ofcompassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization, The Compassion Fatigue Workbook leads the readerthrough experiential activities designed to target specific areas in their personal and professional lives. Itprovides concrete strategies to help the reader develop a personalized plan for identifying and transformingcompassion fatigue and vicarious traumatization. To purchase your own copy of the Compassion Fatigue Workbook, please visit Amazon.

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Volunteer Resources

Child Welfare Information Gateway

Child Welfare Information Gateway promotes the safety, permanency, and well­being of children,youth, and families by connecting child welfare, adoption, and related professionals as well as thepublic to information, resources, and tools covering topics on child welfare, child abuse andneglect, out­of­home care, adoption, and more. A service of the Children's Bureau,Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ChildWelfare Information Gateway provides access to print and electronic publications, websites,databases, and online learning tools for improving child welfare practice, including resources thatcan be shared with families. Learn more.

Do you know of any other resources? We want to know! If you know of other resources that have been helpful for you as a CASA volunteer and mightbenefit other volunteers, please email Megan Hover. Please title the email "Volunteer Resource," and please include the organization's name, type of

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organization (e.g. parent aid services, shelter, etc.), and the website link. All resources will beposted on the Jackson County CASA website for all to view and utilize.

Welcome Katie Wiehl to Jackson County CASAKatie Wiehl, CASA Staff Attorney/GAL

Katie Wiehl is thrilled to have joined the Jackson CountyCASA team in February 2015 as the newest staff attorney. She came to CASA after working at the Jackson CountyFamily Justice Center (where CASA spends its time!) as a lawclerk for the Honorable John Torrence. In her role as law clerk,she spent her time researching, writing, and helping manageabuse and neglect and termination of parental rights cases forthe Court. Katie came to Kansas City in 2003 to attend RockhurstUniversity, and subsequently found herself in Baltimore, MDdoing casework at a homeless resource center. After workingin homeless services and on staff for the Jesuit VolunteerCorps, Katie decided that law school would provide her withthe tools she needed to become a more effective advocate forimpoverished populations. She attended UMKC School of Lawand was blessed with many wonderful opportunities thateventually led her to CASA. Outside of work, Katie lovesgetting her blood pumping and enjoys playing ultimate Frisbeeand soccer in her free time, and she has a little bit of anobsession with Harry Potter.

We Want to Meet Your Friends!Do you know someone who might be interested in volunteering at CASA? Send them our way! With your help, we can serve more abused and neglected children in our community! Set up an appointment today! Contact Megan Hover: mhover@jacksoncountycasa­mo.org 816.984.8217

Stay Connected

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2544 Holmes, Kansas City, MO · 816.984.8217

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