Voice, Healing, and Security

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

Bullying has become an increasing topic in the news and also in legislation. Bullying behavior and suicide-related behavior are identified to be closely related. This means youth who report any involvement with bullying behavior are more likely to report high levels of suicide-related behavior than youth who do not report any involvement with bullying behavior. There is no single factor that puts a child at risk of being bullied or bullying others, but some children are at more risk than others. This includes foster children and children who are perceived differently.

Bullying can have lasting effects that can increase mental health, decrease academic achievement, and even cause health complaints that may persist into adulthood. October is National Bullying Prevention Month and many organizations nationwide are creating campaigns to bring awareness and tools to stop bullying. Click the link below to learn more about how you can advocate for your CASA children to understand bullying and model how to treat others with kindness and respect. Read more here.

137 CASA volunteers served 280 children in September and helped find safe, permanent homes for 15 of those children.

143 children are still waiting for someone to be their voice!

Recruiter's Corner

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) are specially trained and supervised community volunteers appointed by a Judge to advocate for the best interest of a child who has experienced abuse or neglect.

Contact a recruiter today at 1-800-798-1575.

Visit our website at www.childadv.net.

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Click Here to Complete the CASA Application

Ethical Decisions and Confidentiality

The concept of ethical decision making is confusing. Many consider morals and ethics to be interchangeable. While both terms relate to “right” and “wrong” conduct, the terms are different. Morals refer to an individual’s personal values and principles related to their decision making. Ethics are rules provided by an external source that guide decision making, such as codes of conduct or standards within a profession or workplace.

While CASA Volunteers are not licensed practitioners in the human services field, they play a vital role in the child welfare system. Ethical decision making skills for CASA Programs and Volunteers are guided by National CASA Standards.

Read the full document here.

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 September, the Children's Advocacy Center provided advocacy and forensic interviews to 73 children.

In the River Region, 34 children and families were provided 56 hours of counseling.

Click here to learn more about how CACs help kids.

Halloween Safety

It’s spooky season! Soon enough the kids will be throwing on their costumes and Trick-or-Treating to fill their bags with candy. With Halloween right around the corner, it is time to get prepared with these Halloween safety tips!

Kids under age 12 should:

• always go trick-or-treating with an adult

• know how to call 911 in case they get lost

• know their home phone number or your cellphone number if you don't have a landline

Older kids who go out on their own should:

• know their planned route and when they'll be coming home

• carry a cellphone

• go in a group and stay together

• only go to houses with porch lights on

• stay away from candles and other flames

• know to never go into strangers' homes or cars

Click here to read the entire article.

Upcoming Webinars and Conferences

*CASA Volunteers are required to receive 12 Continuing Education hours per year. Only 4 can be articles, newsletters, and films.

October 12: Stewards of Children Training

November 6: Stewards of Children Training

November 8-9: Together We Can Conference

Ongoing: TBRI Fridays

Ongoing eLearning: Louisiana Child Welfare Training Academy

Ongoing eLearning: Louisiana Children's Trust Fund Trainings

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.

In 2022, Child Advocacy Services CASA Program served 479 children with 179 volunteers dedicating over 6,485 hours. The CAC Program provided 758 forensic interviews and 540 counseling sessions to children and families.

YOU can help us do more by investing in services for children!

CHILD ADVOCACY SERVICES | CHILDADV.NET