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Thank you to all of our amazing donors for making sure our CASA children have a very special Christmas!
Family Engagement: Partnering With Families to Improve Child Welfare Outcomes

Family engagement is a family-centered and strengths-based approach to making decisions, setting goals, and achieving desired outcomes for children and families.

At its best, family engagement encourages and empowers families to be their own champions and to work toward goals that they develop.

140 CASA volunteers served 285 children in November and helped find safe, permanent homes for 10 of those children.
107 children are still waiting for someone to be their voice.
It takes 30 minutes to learn about the difference a CASA can make in a child's life.

Register for a virtual information session so you can be one step closer to changing a child's story.
Recruiter's Corner
This month, we are happy to share why advocate Randy Creel said yes to becoming a voice for a child! Click the hashtag below to hear Randy's reason for saying yes.

"When you connect to the heart of a child, everything is possible."
Dr. Karen Purvis
Child.tcu.edu
CASA Roles and Responsibilities
Facilitation  

The refresher article last month was regarding Information Gathering, which is an essential step prior to facilitation. How do we help if we do not know the needs? Facilitation is an ongoing process for volunteers.
Remember to keep your CASA Volunteer file up-to-date with your current
auto insurance card, driver's license, and contact information. 
And remember to visit your CASA child face-to-face at least once a month.
In November, the Children's Advocacy Center provided advocacy and forensic interviews to 57 children.

In the River Region, 14 children and families were provided 35 hours of counseling.


Holiday Stress
We hope you find joy and happiness during this holiday season. However, we acknowledge this time of year can be difficult for many. Whether you are reminded of the loss of a loved one, endure financial stress, or cannot find the time to relax, remember Child Advocacy Services is here to support you and your family. If you or someone you know could use help, please call one of our local regional offices to receive a list of community resources. But in the meantime, you could also try some of these helpful tips to relax and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas!
Ten tips to help you enjoy the holidays:
1. Reflect on what is important to you during the holidays. This may change over time, but thinking about what you want for this holiday season will help you choose more intentionally about who you would like to spend time with and how you would like to spend the time. It’s hard to have a meaningful holiday if you don’t determine ahead of time what will give it meaning.

2. Make a plan as early as possible about what you will do during the holidays. Try to plan at least one activity that is important to you for each holiday that you celebrate. Feel free to initiate activities with family and friends. Consider volunteer activities. Making a plan well in advance can give you something to look forward to and help you feel a greater sense of control.
3. Communicate clearly how others can assist or support you. Accept offers to help shop, wrap or cook. Some people may not know how best to help, especially if your needs and desires have changed from last year. Most people are happy to help as long as they understand clearly what you want and they have enough time to provide the support.
4. Realize the holiday season is a marathon, not a sprint. In other words, pace yourself. While extra social gatherings can be exciting, you don’t want to compromise your physical or mental health by doing too much. Acknowledge that you cannot do everything for everyone. Practice saying “no” without guilt. Allow yourself the opportunity to grieve the loss of giving up some activities.
5. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Try your best to make good food choices and relax to restore energy. Your endurance will be better if you can stick to your daily routine as much as possible, including exercise.

To read the rest of the tips, click here.
December Webinars
*CASA Volunteers are required to receive 12 Continuing Education hours per year. Only 4 can be articles, newsletters, and films.

December 7-17th (varying dates): TBRI Fridays


Brave children tell their stories. Courageous adults help these children through their trauma and assist them in finding a safe future. Buttons of Bravery represent the journey of one child for a year under the care of Child Advocacy Services. 

Want to Join Our Team?
We're Hiring!

We are looking for caring individuals who want to join our team of passionate adults that work to bring Voice, Healing, and Security to our community's children. Please send a resume with cover letter to lpenn@childadv.net.
In 2020, Child Advocacy Services CASA Program served 516 children with 198 volunteers dedicating over 7,564 hours. The CAC Program provided 614 forensic interviews and 457 hours of counseling to children and families.

YOU can help us do more by investing in services for children!
CHILD ADVOCACY SERVICES | CHILDADV.NET