Voice for CASA Children

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  • VOICES Opens Training Center

    VOICES Opens Training Center

    Contributed by Valerie Neumann, CASA Volunteer

    In the weeks following the start of 2018, volunteers and staff members were hard at work to open the new VOICES Training Center. An extension of the VOICES administrative offices in Old Town Scottsdale, the Training Center is home to CASA trainings, recruitment events, volunteer orientations, and everything in between! Meet Rosie Ronnow, Training and Program Coordinator at VOICES. Rosie provides a tour of the Training Center along with what’s coming up on the calendar for 2018.

    I am thrilled to introduce our new Training Center; not only to our VOICES family, but also to the broader Court Appointed Special Advocate Community.

    This community of CASA Volunteers is filled with knowledge, passion, and heart. Our vision for this training space is to support and empower CASA volunteers, and we hope that this space will allow CASA volunteers to connect with each other, and to resources in the community. The saying, “Knowledge is power” is age-old, yet it holds true for every individual who advocates for a child in state care. New research

    and information is constantly emerging, providing new information about how we can best serve and support the children we are working with. With the VOICES Training Center, our goal is to provide trainings that are relevant, current, useful and interesting to CASA volunteers, equipping them with knowledge that will allow them to be the best advocates possible for the best interest of their CASA children.

  • Good Enough?

    Good Enough?

    Contributed by Valerie Neumann, CASA Volunteer

    As we all know, being a CASA is an endless rollercoaster: some days are very rewarding and others are frustrating.  Sometimes we let “perfect” hinder us and make us feel worthless.  Let me explain.  Our CASA kids have been removed from their homes for a reason – they did not live a perfect life.  Their parents or caregivers were not perfect, their homes, apartments or the streets were not perfect, the situations that adults put them in or let them see were not perfect.   My struggle is that I want perfect for them!   I want them to be in a loving home with two parents, plenty of food, access to medical care, a working vehicle, books to read, someone who checks their homework, takes them to the park, teaches them manners, and tucks them in at night.  This was how I raised my children; this is a no-brainer, right?   But, this is not the case for the majority of the kids who are in foster care.  It is difficult to comprehend that the very people who are supposed to be taking care and protecting our foster children do not have the same expectations.  I worry that these children will not learn how to be responsible adults, how to be in a long-term relationship, how to raise a family or to obey the law.   I want the chain to be broken.

    I was fortunate to be selected to attend the National CASA/GAL Annual Conference this month in Boston.  Although we had to leave the conference early due to inclement weather, it was very inspirational to be around so many others who want to make a difference in the lives of foster children.  The conference offered numerous workshops and based on your interests, you could attend as many as the day offered.  The workshop that resonated with me the most was “Interviewing with the Brain’s Stress System in Mind”, which discussed how stress can actually change a child’s brain and behavior.  The speaker gave an example of when a child gets hurt on the playground and their parent comforts them and tells them they will be okay.  The brain remembers these non-stressful moments and in the face of future stresses, the child is able to calm him/herself.  The good news is that as CASA volunteers we can help re-wire the brain by simply letting a child know that you look forward to seeing them again, how you will be thinking about them often until your next visit, how clever they are, how pretty they are or how proud you are of them.  These positive interactions help teach the child’s brain to come back to these nice calming thoughts when they encounter a stressful situation.  What an easy way to help a child relieve stress without them knowing it!

    The most impactful moment of the conference for me was the presentation of a scholarship to a young lady who had been in foster care since she was five years old.  She lived in an abusive foster home until she turned 18 where these people belittled her, threatened to send her “back”, had their biological children make fun of her, and who never loved or believed in her.   This young lady left home at 18 years old and to this day has never had any more contact with her foster family, nor plans to anytime in the future.  She graduated high school and wants to attend college.  This young lady had a CASA.  This young lady said without her CASA she would not be where she is today.  Was her foster home perfect?  No, but she did have someone who was there for her, who would listen, and made her feel special.

    After hearing her story, I am coming to terms with the fact I can’t make everything perfect for my CASA kids, but they know I care for them, I am proud of them, and I believe in them.   This just might be their “perfect”.

  • CASA Volunteer Shares Insights from National CASA ’18

    CASA Volunteer Shares Insights from National CASA ’18

    Contributed by Roger Lurie, Volunteer

    Two of my most memorable experiences in recent years have taken place in Boston. In 2006, I had the privilege of running the Boston Marathon, a 26.2 mile run through this fascinating and historical city; then, this year, I returned to participate

    in the 2018 National CASA Conference. As with running a marathon, being a dedicated CASA means that we are focused and committed. We have drive and determination and will keep going when we hit the wall. Unlike running a marathon though, being a CASA also means we are attentive to children that are far less fortunate and need us to provide continuity and stable, long-lasting relationships.

    The theme for this year’s National CASA Conference was “Working Together for Their Best Interest.” In my professional career, I participated in many conferences, but found this to be the most rewarding. 1,200 volunteers and dedicated professionals gathered together in one place with a common purpose and commitment to serve children that have suffered and have come from broken homes. There was no pretentiousness or competition; instead, I met folks from all over the United States that share a similar bond in their caring and tenacity to work for improved conditions and support for the 433,000 children in the United States that are in dependent care. Understanding the behavior of our youth, finding new and creative ways to support them, and building on the success of our national CASA movement were themes of almost every session I attended.

    There were too many excellent presentations to highlight all of them; two in particular stand out in my mind:

    1. Interviewing with the Brain’s Stress Response System in Mind, presented by Candace Saunders, MSW from the Simmons School of Social Work.

    In this session, Ms. Saunders explains how our right brain provides sensory, emotional and non-verbal characteristics; the left brain provides more focus, thinking and verbal queues. In stressful situations experienced by abused children, the left brain shuts down making it difficult for the children to think clearly. In extreme states of stress, these children go into a fighting, freezing or fleeing mode that is best contained through meaningful relationships. In these situations, as CASA volunteers, we need to focus on a child’s strengths and remind them of many people care about and love them, acknowledge their silence and focus on building trust over an extended period of time.

    2. Where Brain Science Meets Policy: Supporting Youth Transitioning from Foster Care, presented by Molly Doran, Alexandra Lohrbach and Kayla Eckerman from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

    Based on research done through the Jim Casey Initiative, in this session it was shared that in the United States, 23,00 youth age out of foster care every year. Of these, 1 in 4 will become homeless within 4 years, 71 % of women in this population will become pregnant by age 21 and only 50 % even graduate high school. Their research has demonstrated that a brain is not completely developed until a person is in their mid 20’s, yet in over half of the states, dependent care ends at age 18. In this study, these three articulate speakers spoke to the need for 3 R’s:

    1. Rewards – providing these youth opportunities for some risk taking in a relatively safe environment.
    2. Relationships – ensuring that they have at least one caring adult consistently in their lives.
    3. Regulation – supporting them in making sound decisions and providing a structured environment that is not emotionally charged.

    Furthermore, the Jim Casey Initiative has developed a model for delivering life skills training so critically important to our foster youth that will age out and face a world in which they need to know how to manage finances, drive a car, and get admitted to a community college or university.

    Several of the sessions that I attended had a deeply moving personal impact on me. The conference also has given me a new sense of purpose and resolve. I am more committed than ever before to view my CASA children through a new lens of caring and support. I am more determined than ever before to ensure that my time with them counts and leaves them assured that I care and am there for them. I am committed to find new ways to support those children that are aging out of the system with a path forward and mentorship to help them succeed in the next chapter of their lives. And, similar to the theme for this conference, I am committed to being there to support my peers and professionals that are “working together for their best interests”.

    I am honored and humbled that I was selected by Voices for CASA Children to represent the community at this conference. At the same time, I am honored by the opportunity to serve as a mentor, friend, and advocate for foster children and am resolved to live up to the expectations that this entails.

  • The VOICES Team Grows in 2018

    The VOICES Team Grows in 2018

    Expanded Programs and CASA Support

    With 2018 starting out with a big, CASA BANG!, there’s great need to expand programs and CASA support in Maricopa County. VOICES is thrilled to announce the growth of its team with the addition of dynamic staff members and one new Board member. Each individual brings talent, insight, and gusto for carrying out the VOICES mission of providing a voice for every child in Maricopa County’s foster care system. Meet the crew below!

    Amanda McNally Koeller oversees the accounting function for Voices for CASA Children.  Amanda is passionate about educating and improving the lives of children.  In her previous positions, she has worked for both the private and non-profit sectors in financial leadership roles. She has served as Treasurer on several non-profit Boards over the past ten years, as both a staff member and a volunteer.   Amanda has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Communications and Marketing from Eastern Michigan University, and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix.  She currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the Aztec Wrestling Booster Club, Science Chair for the Aprende Parent Teacher Student Organization and Scholarship Chair for Help-Dream Organization.

    Diane Gardner joins the Voices for CASA Children team with great enthusiasm, filling the role of Child Enrichment Specialist. Diane retired from a 34-year career in technology, most recently serving as the Chief Information (Technology) Officer for the City of Mesa.  Having volunteered for a variety of non-profit organizations during her career, she is delighted to be able to focus her time on VOICES’ critical mission in support of Arizona’s children. Her family holds a healthy non-profit track record and sense of altruism as well: Diane’s husband of 35 years and her oldest daughter each serve in non-profit organizations, and her youngest daughter currently practices veterinary medicine in the Valley.  Diane loves planning traveling adventures for the family and holds the title of Chief Party Planner (CPP)! Outside of coordinating child enrichment opportunities with the community and CASA volunteers, Diane spends time with her four-year-old granddaughter and creatively “attempts” in all things crafting.  Originally raised in Wyoming, Diane and her family happily call Arizona home.

    Dylan Marks joins the Voices for CASA Children staff as a Family Finding Specialist. In his role, Dylan works in collaboration with multiple agencies to identify, locate, and engage with dependent children’s existing relatives and other supportive adults with the goal of creating new life-long connections and establishing permanency for those children. Dylan has experience working with law firms specializing in family law, and licensing agencies in the foster care system. He an active member of various grassroots organizations in his community and has a passion for advocacy and volunteerism. In his free time, Dylan enjoys reading, playing music and brewing coffee. He’s somewhat of a connoisseur of coffee.

    George Turner joined the VOICES board in 2018 after learning about the organization and meeting Board members at Statewide CASA Support Council meetings. He currently also serves as Governing Board President for Navajo County Friends of CASA and divides his time between his Pinetop and Scottsdale homes. George and his family retired to the Pinetop area after a 33-year career with Motorola Inc., which included assignments in the Phoenix area, Chicago, and Seoul, South Korea. He has always been interested in the education and welfare of children, and served on the Board for Blue Ridge Unified School District for ten years, including seven years as its President. George and his wife, Liz, have two grown daughters both living and working in the Phoenix area. George enjoys most sports, is a semi-serious golfer, an avid reader, loves cars and motorcycles, and enjoys traveling.

    Rosie Ronnow brings great energy to the Voices for CASA Children team as its Training and Program Coordinator. Rosie has a background in community development, health education and volunteer management, and received her Master’s in Public Health in 2015 in Australia. She is passionate about creating healthy communities where children can thrive, and supporting the many amazing volunteers who work with children in Maricopa County’s foster care system. Rosie is an Arizona native, yet spent four of the last six years expanding her horizons abroad, having lived in Denmark and Australia. She enjoys traveling and hiking, and spending time with her husband, David, and new baby girl, Sienna. Rosie is also the proud mother to one “fur baby”, Gunner.

     

     

  • Scottsdale-based Boutique Supports CASA Program

  • Ruby Kicks Fundraiser Helping Foster Youth Find Their Path Home

  • Voices for CASA Children Hosts 5th Annual Superhero Family Fun Run & Festival

    Voices for CASA Children Hosts 5th Annual Superhero Family Fun Run & Festival

    Local Nonprofit Partners with Arizona KIDS Consortium for Superhero Fun Run Benefiting Local Foster Children

    Voices for CASA Children invites you to fly across the finish line during its fifth annual Superhero Family Fun Run & Festival at Kiwanis Park in Tempe. Participants can enjoy the Superhero Festival, including bounce house fun, carnival games, prizes, food trucks, and more. Mingle with supervillains, make arts and crafts, and test your speed in the Kids Dash.

    This year, Voices for CASA Children is partnering with Arizona KIDS Consortium, an Arizona Commission Corporation that coordinates the recruitment of foster and adoptive homes in Maricopa County, to put on this event. All event proceeds go toward summer programs for foster youth living in Maricopa County. Additionally, representatives of the KIDS Consortium will be in attendance to answer questions about foster licensing.

    WHAT: Don your cape for Voices for CASA Children’s 5th Annual Superhero Fun Run & Festival at Kiwanis Park in Tempe. Your super amazing participation will benefit more than 10,000 local foster children.

    WHO: Superheroes of all ages

    WHERE: Kiwanis Park – 5500 S Mill Ave, Tempe, AZ 85283

    WHEN: Sunday, April 15 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

    This fun event is for families and kids of all ages and all are encouraged to dress up as their favorite superhero. Event tickets are $10 for adults and free for kids.

    Tickets can be purchased online. For more information about the event, visit www.voicesforcasachildren.org/events/.

    About Voices for CASA Children

    Voices for CASA Children is dedicated to bringing a voice to every abused or neglected child in state dependency and supports expansion of the CASA program in Maricopa County. VOICES was established in 2011 and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information, visit us at: www.voicesforcasachildren.org.  Follow us on Twitter and join us on Facebook.

    About Arizona KIDS Consortium

    KIDS Consortium is an Arizona Commission Corporation established for the purpose of coordinating the recruitment of foster and adoptive homes in Maricopa County. It is comprised of about 24 licensing agencies contracted with the Department of Child Safety and aims to collaborate as agencies and with community partners to provide quality foster and adoptive homes to improve the well-being of youth in foster care. For more information, please visit http://azkidsconsortium

  • Fall in Love with Volunteerism this Month

    Fall in Love with Volunteerism this Month

    Contributed by Adrian Jamieson, MPA, Volunteer Manager at Voices for CASA Children

    There are lots of reasons to love volunteerism. Maybe you’ve heard the phrase “Doing well so that I can do good.” In the case of volunteerism, it’s almost the opposite: “doing good” makes you feel well… and happy. Just like exercising, volunteerism in service to others can release endorphins into your body, giving you that wonderful “glowing” sensation often associated with a great workout. In fact, studies actually show that volunteering can help mitigate chronic pain. (But wait – there’s more!) The benefits of volunteering go beyond making you feel great just today; there is also evidence that individuals who being volunteering earlier in their lives are less likely to be ill later in life and have lower mortality rates.

    Think about that for a moment: volunteering can improve mental and emotional health, and ultimately lay the foundation for a happy life. Everyone benefits from acts of service.

    Still, while we all want to volunteer because it is good for our communities and has some amazing health benefits, sometimes we need to be practical and thoughtful when deciding where and how to apportion our free time. There are three important guidelines to ensure that you will receive all the benefits of volunteerism:

    Guideline 1: What’s your WHY? Know what you want in a volunteer role.

    First and foremost, you need to know why you want to volunteer. Consider what you have to offer, and what is being offered to exercise your skill set. Maybe you are entirely altruistic, or maybe you need to build your resume. It could be both! Either way, this will affect how you search for and evaluate potential volunteer opportunities.

    Guideline 2: Is this a short or long-term relationship?

    You will also want to think about how much time you realistically are able to give. Are you looking for a one-time event or do you want to engage with an organization on a weekly or monthly basis? And, what are your passions? Do you love working with children? Do you have a special interest in ending homelessness, or do you want to educate your community about how to live a healthier life? Using your passion in service to others with a timeframe in mind is what can make a volunteer opportunity feel like true love. There are organizations out there that are looking for just what you want to offer! You just need to do a little groundwork to find them.

    Guideline 3: Be realistic.

    Now, it’s time to be honest. You’re in an organization’s office, warehouse, or coffee shop, and the volunteer manager says to you “So, tell me how you’d like to be involved.” It can be very tempting to get caught up in the “fluff” or idealism of this conversation and over commit, but now is the time to consult the questions you asked yourself in the first place. If you are honest about your expectations, availability, and goals, a volunteer manager should be able to tell you whether or not the organization has an appropriate role for you.  Don’t feel badly if they don’t, but be grateful they are being honest with you. Remember, you are looking for a “true love” match here, and honesty is an important ingredient in any healthy relationship. And so is taking the time to find the right fit.

    Volunteerism is a great use of your time; not only will it make you feel great, it will help you grow your network, learn new skills, share and find new passions, and it will provide substantial experience on your resume. When you can define your WHY and locate an organization you admire with which to have an honest conversation about expectations, you’ll recognize the right opportunity when it comes along. Kind of like finding true love. Once you’ve found the right volunteer opportunity for you, you’ll find that you will connect with the people around you. You’ll likely want to rearrange your schedule so that you can do more volunteering, and you’ll know that what your doing is having real impact on you and your community.  Take the time to do it thoughtfully and intentionally, and soon you’ll be loving the way volunteerism makes you feel all year!

  • Post Retirement, Bruce Arians Aims to Continue Supporting CASA, Children in Need

    Post Retirement, Bruce Arians Aims to Continue Supporting CASA, Children in Need

    Originally Published on Fox10News.com

    Following Bruce Arians’ decision to retire as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, the former coach could turn his attention to something else he’s very passionate about. CASAs, or “Court Appointed Special Advocates”, are a foster kid’s voice in court. The Arians FamilyFoundation, led by Bruce- his wife Christine, and son Jake, helps with bringing awareness and funding to those thinking about being a casa and to those who already are. Read more here.

  • Voices for CASA Children Awarded $50,000 “Growth Grant” to Recruit 100’s More Court Appointed Special Advocates for Local Foster Children

    Voices for CASA Children Awarded $50,000 “Growth Grant” to Recruit 100’s More Court Appointed Special Advocates for Local Foster Children

    Phoenix, Arizona – January 29, 2018

    Voices for CASA Children has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities to continue its mission of providing a voice to youth in Maricopa County’s dependent care system. The grant, alongside the continuous generosity of the Arians Family Foundation, will help to significantly increase the number of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA volunteers) who are dedicated to abused or neglected children and who advocate for their best interests.

    There are currently more than 500 CASA volunteers in Maricopa County. When compared to the over 10-thousand children in foster care in Maricopa County alone, that means less children are fortunate enough to be appointed a CASA volunteer than are needed. The goal of CASA of Maricopa County and Voices for CASA Children is to have a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for every child who needs one, and this grant will get one step closer to achieving that dream.

    “The support from Thunderbirds Charities and the Arians Family Foundation are paramount to ensuring there are more volunteer advocates to help children find permanency,” says Voices for CASA Children’s Executive Director, Robin Pearson. “Our work of addressing the needs of vulnerable children would not be made possible without their help. We are so grateful; first for the $50,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities, and secondly for the ongoing support of the Arians Family Foundation. With each of their help, we will go far this year.”

    “Voices for CASA Children has such a tremendous impact on the welfare of our children in foster care, helping them navigate the foster care system and providing the support that is critical for this vulnerable population,” said Andy Markham, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “We’re happy to assist in their efforts.”

    Voices for CASA Children, CASA of Maricopa County and the Superior Court of Maricopa County have been diligently working together to identify ways to deepen their collaboration in order to best leverage community resources in support of the CASA Program and the children they serve. VOICES Board President Victoria Strayer speaks to this collaboration and the impact on growth: “We have executed a more formal agreement between VOICES and the Court. Soon the community will hear about enhanced support for CASA volunteers, expanded training opportunities, informational sessions designed to recruit many more CASA volunteers, and innovative practices such as Family Finding—all designed to strengthen the CASA Program and, most importantly, support the children so they too can have families, connections, and permanency. 2018 will be a year of community, hope and action.”

    CASA provides front line advocacy for children in foster care, and CASA volunteers speak for the best interests of abused and neglected children whose futures are being decided during juvenile court proceedings. Voices for CASA Children is always recruiting new advocates to meet the high demand. For more information, visit www.voicesforcasachildren.org.

    For more information about CASA of Maricopa County, visit http://www.maricopacasa.org.

    About Voices for CASA Children:

    Voices for CASA Children is dedicated to bringing a voice to every abused and neglected child in state dependency and supports expansion of the CASA program in Maricopa County.  Voices was established in 2011 and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information, visit us at: www.voicesforcasachildren.org.  Follow us on Twitter and join us on Facebook.

    About the Thunderbird/Thunderbirds Charaties:

    Thunderbirds Charities is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 to distribute monies raised through the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament. The Thunderbirds Charities Board consists of 15 board members from varying professional backgrounds. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in our communities. The organization’s giving is directed toward organizations based or with a significant presence in Arizona. The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 250 “life” members. For more information on the Thunderbirds or the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open, visit www.wmphoenixopen.com. For more information on Thunderbirds Charities, visit www.thunderbirdscharities.org.

    About The Arians Family Foundation:

    The Arians Family Foundation (AFF) was created in 2013 by Bruce and Christine Arians for reasons dear to their hearts. Christine worked for years as a family-law attorney, or as she describes, a “broken-family” attorney. She began working with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) to help ensure that children who are involved in the court system, as a result of abuse or neglect by their families, receive the help they need. The Arians Family Foundation seeks to continue helping others in their life journeys. AFF embodies the vision of a better future for children to live where they feel safe and loved. For more information about the Arians Family Foundation please visit www.ariansfamilyfoundation.com or call 310-426-9900.

    For Voices for CASA Children media inquiries contact:

    Alex Stevenson
    PR Account Coordinator
    Serendipit Consulting
    www.serendipitconsulting.com
    Cell: 480.319.0097
    AStevenson@serendipitconsulting.com

    For Arians Family Foundation media inquiries contact:

    Daniel Almond
    CMPR
    Cell: 205.394.2575
    daniel@cmpr.net

Thank you for your interest in becoming a CASA.

After completing this form you will be directed to the CASA volunteer application which is located on the CASA of Maricopa County website. If you have any questions please contact us at info@voicesforcasachildren.org.

Thank you! You will now be directed to the CASA application. Feel free to call us during business hours - (480) 685-4888.

Voices for CASA Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Learn More header

Thank you for your interest in becoming a CASA.

After completing this form you will be directed to the CASA volunteer application which is located on the CASA of Maricopa County website. If you have any questions please contact us at info@voicesforcasachildren.org.

Thank you! You will now be directed to the CASA application. Feel free to call us during business hours - (480) 685-4888.

Voices for CASA Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.