STATE CONFERENCE INSPIRES CHILD ADVOCATE ATTENDEES FROM ACROSS GEORGIA
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The annual Georgia CASA Conference, held on August 3rd in Atlanta, included over 600 attendees and is our largest annual statewide gathering! The day included dynamic workshops and engaging and inspiring speakers. Judge Glenda Hatchett gave the keynote address at the Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Also in attendance was Miss Georgia Victoria Hill, whose social platform is foster care reform.
Award winners (both individuals and affiliate CASA programs) were recognized, as well as recognition of the 2019 CASA Volunteer of the Year nominees.
Pictured below: (l) Judge Glenda Hatchett; (r) Miss Georgia Victoria Hill with Georgia CASA team members
Jennifer King & Ali Darden
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Jeff Sprinkle, 2019 CASA Volunteer of
the Year in Georgia
(pictured with Georgia CASA Board Chair Kip Lynch, Georgia CASA Executive Director Jennifer King & Northeast Georgia CASA Executive Director Melissa Barrett)
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Sandee Hooper, 2019 Board Member Leadership Award Winner
(pictured with Murray/Whitfield CASA Staff & Georgia CASA Representatives)
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Coweta CASA - Established Program Award of Excellence
(headquartered in Newnan, GA)
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CASA Cherokee - Innovative Program Award of Excellence
(headquartered in Canton, GA)
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Congratulations to
Atlantic Area CASA (headquartered in Hinesville, GA), winner of Georgia CASA's second annual video contest! Eight affiliate CASA programs entered a short video targeted towards CASA volunteer recruitment. The top three videos were voted on by conference attendees, and Atlantic Area CASA's video received the most votes.
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WELCOME TO OUR NEW BOARD MEMBERS
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Welcome to the following new board members of Georgia CASA! They began their term of service at the start of our fiscal year on July 1st and will serve for three years
- Dr. Kim Harrington, Georgia Tech (Douglasville)
- Daniel Hathaway, Hathaway Development (Atlanta)
- Louise Moore, Community Volunteer (Atlanta)
- Brian Reaves, Destination XL (Marietta)
- Judge John Worcester, Superior Court - Appalachian Judicial Circuit (Blue Ridge)
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AWARDS SPOTLIGHT:
RECENT GRANTS TO GEORGIA CASA & TEAM MEMBER WITH CASA OF TROUP COUNTY RECOGNIZED
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We are excited to roll out National CASA's new branding campaign,
Change a Child's Story, through a grant from National CASA! Between now and the end of the year, funds will be used for radio ads on iHeart streaming audio in metro Atlanta, radio public service announcements pitched to Georgia News Network stations, and Facebook ads. On a national level, the campaign is being advertised in various media markets. Additional campaign tactics will be implemented by Georgia CASA as additional funding becomes available.
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For 16 years,
Vinnie Shank has served as a
Volunteer Coordinator for
CASA of Troup County (located in LaGrange), supporting volunteer advocates and children experiencing foster care as well as taking special care to coordinate community drives. Recently, the United Way of West Georgia recognized honorees from each of its partner agencies with the Be the One Awards. In addition to being CASA of Troup County's honoree, Vinnie was specially recognized as the recipient of an Exceptional Spirit Award for her tireless advocacy and warm enthusiasm. Every volunteer, child, parent, and individual who interacts with Vinnie feels valued, appreciated, and celebrated. Congrats, Vinnie, on this well-deserved recognition!
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CASA OF THE AUGUSTA JUDICIAL CIRCUIT EXPANDS
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CASA of the Augusta Judicial Circuit (Burke, Columbia, and Richmond counties), operated under Child Enrichment, Inc., has expanded its service to include Glascock, Lincoln, McDuffie, Taliaferro, Warren, and Wilkes counties. Child Enrichment will be the fourth CASA affiliate in the state to serve more than one judicial circuit. Over 850 children came through foster care last year within their coverage area.
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Georgia CASA is now on
Instagram! Be sure to follow us to view periodic photos and postings about our mission work. Our handle is @georgiacasa.
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GEORGIA LEADS THE WAY WITH EDUCATIONAL SUPPORTS FOR FOSTER YOUTH
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By Victoria Salzman,
Chief Strategic Development Officer, Multi-Agency Alliance for Children (MAAC)
From MAAC E-Newsletter, June 2019
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Georgia CASA is a proud partner of the LEADS initiative and shares the belief that placement stability greatly impacts educational stability. Primarily lead by Advocacy Specialist LaFayette Young, Georgia CASA routinely offers education advocacy training for CASA volunteers and staff across the state, online surrogate parent training and certification for representation of educational interest of youth in Individual Education Plan meetings, and support and advocacy for the placement and educational stability of all children and youth experiencing foster care.
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In 2017, in partnership with the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, the Multi-Agency Alliance for Children (MAAC) began an educational coordination pilot called LEADS (Learn, Educate, Achieve, Dream, Succeed) with the goal of continuing the work of Project Graduate to increase high school graduation rates for students in foster care in Fulton and DeKalb counties—the counties where Atlanta sits.
When LEADS started there, feedback from students was sought. As a result of youth input, a hypothesis was developed that students needed more than just tutoring to reach their academic goals...
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Thank you to our donors who supported the work of Georgia CASA for spring 2019. Because of your investment, more children were provided with a CASA volunteer to amplify their voices. We truly appreciate your investment in children!
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September 17-18: New CASA Director Immersion Training (Covington)
October 3-9: Council of Programs (Gainesville)
November 19-21: Training of the Facilitator (Macon)
February 13, 2020: CASA Day at the Capitol (Atlanta)
February 25, 2020: Preview Party to the Luncheon & Fashion Show (Buckhead)
March 24, 2020: Georgia CASA Luncheon & Fashion Show Fundraiser (Atlanta)
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Interested in joining us to support CASA in Georgia?
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Georgia CASA | 404-874-2888 | 800-251-4012 |
gacasa.org
Member of The National CASA Association
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