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Brothers Wanted to Go Home
Garrett and Lincoln were placed in foster care after their parents were arrested for shoplifting while Lincoln waited in the car. Their arrests were a wake-up call for the boys' parents, who completed extensive drug, parenting and psychological services. But the CASA volunteer on the case, Karen, still never expected the gift she would receive at the end of the case.
Read more on Dallas CASA's
blog
.
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Dallas CASA Volunteer Works in COVID-19 Unit at Parkland
Dallas CASA volunteer Hannah Pearson volunteered to work overnight shifts in the COVID-19 unit at Dallas' Parkland Memorial Hospital. Her Dallas CASA supervisor wasn't surprised at all. "Hannah is a dedicated nurse and volunteer," Peggy McGuigan-Ward said. "Even though she's working overnights in a highly stressful environment, she didn't want any help with her CASA case. She has kept up virtual visits and checked on the children she serves weekly.
Her courage, selflessness and commitment to her patients and her CASA children are amazing. She is truly a superhero." Read more about Hannah in The Dallas Morning News.
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Advocacy During COVID-19
For a Dallas CASA volunteer, monthly child visits and regular court hearings are the standard. But what happens when those things can't happen in person?
Dallas CASA's volunteer force has transitioned to virtual child visits and courtroom hearings during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Longtime volunteer Larry Dolan said the key to advocacy right now is being available for encouragement and problem-solving for children and caregivers.
"I was in sales for more than 25 years, and the mantra was always to know your customer and get in front of them face-to-face," Larry said. "I find the current scenario not optimal but also not unworkable. I know my customers - families, children, caregivers. The value of a CASA is having this relationship where others either don't have the time or are always caught going in different directions. It's what we do."
Read more how Dallas CASA's volunteers have pivoted to address the COVID-19 outbreak at Dallas CASA's
blog
.
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Face Masks to CPS
Dallas CASA volunteer Kim Meth knew Child Protective Services investigators were continuing their critical work during the COVID-19 outbreak and wanted to do everything she could to support them. Working through her company Timeline Productions, she was able to secure 150 face masks for investigators as they continue work in the field to investigate reports of child abuse and neglect. Read Dallas CASA's
blog for more.
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Dallas CASA's Cherish the Children Honors Beverly Levy
Although the COVID-19 outbreak forced the cancellation of Dallas CASA's Cherish the Children luncheon, Dallas CASA was excited to turn the planned event into an online one. Former Dallas CASA President Beverly Levy was honored with the Caroline Rose Hunt Cherish the Children Award for her more than 21 years of serving the most vulnerable children in our community.
We invite you to view our
Dallas CASA tribute to Beverly
, and to post your additional
congratulations
and well wishes for Beverly on our Facebook page, and to
view the tributes
of many who worked with Beverly during her years leading Dallas CASA.
Thank you to all involved, incuding luncheon co-chairs Leigh Danley and Leslie Wayne and members of Dallas CASA Children's Council.
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Collaborative Family Engagement Program Finds Common Ground
A cooperative effort among CASA, CPS (Child Protective Services), attorneys and other stakeholders, the Collaborative Family Engagement program brings together all parties on a case to look for new opportunities for permanency for children in foster care. Read more at Dallas CASA's blog.
Texas CASA and the Department of Family and Protective Services piloted the program in 2015 and continue to roll it out across Texas. Currently CFE is used by 41 CASA programs in 90 counties and 10 DFPS regions - more than 50% of the statewide network. For more information on the statewide program, visit Texas CASA.
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Dallas CASA Training Transitions to Online During Pandemic
When countywide orders to shelter in place went into effect for Dallas County, Dallas CASA's recruitment and training staff went into overdrive.
Sadly we know that in times of heightened stress on families, children may suffer most. Doctors at Cook Children's Hospital reported an increase in severe child abuse cases admitted to the hospital earlier this month, and the trend is expected to continue at area hospitals due to the stress from issues related to the coronavirus pandemic. Child Protective Servies is also preparing for a significant increase in abuse and neglect reports and removals once schools and camps open and there are more adults seeing children.
Perhaps more than ever, it is critical that we continue to prepare CASA volunteers to serve the best interests of the children in our community.
To learn more about being a volunteer advocate, attend a virtual information session.
To learn more about other ways to support children and families during social distancing, visit Dallas CASA's
blog
.
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New Dallas CASA Volunteers
Dallas CASA welcomes volunteers who have completed 30 hours of training and courtroom observations and are ready to begin serving abused and neglected children in need. Click
here to read the names of the newest volunteers.
Thank you to everyone who serves abused and neglected children! Check out Dallas CASA's
Facebook page for photos from our new volunteer swearing-in ceremonies.
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CASA In The News
Dallas CASA Board member Megan Sterquell has been recognized by Park Cities People in 20 Under 40, an annual series highlighting outstanding young professionals. Read more
here.
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Parade of Playhouses
July 10 to 26, 2020
The 25th annual Dallas CASA Parade of Playhouses, presenting imaginative children's playhouses to benefit abused and neglected children, will take place July 10 - 26 at NorthPark Center.
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6 to 7 p.m. April 30
6 to 7 p.m. May 7
6 to 7 p.m. May 14
Please invite friends and colleagues to attend an upcoming
information session
to learn more about becoming a Dallas CASA volunteer. We have day and evening
classes
for volunteer training.
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