CASA CONNECTOR
Spring 2021
APRIL: NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
&
MAY: NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH
Each year, April is recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Everyone can help positive childhood experiences take root, whether through the CASA program or another child-focused organization. You can plant the seeds of a better tomorrow for children and families in your community as we all work together to cultivate relationships, connections, and environments that help every child thrive. We all benefit when groups of people work together to collectively care for children, who grow up to become successful, contributing adults.

The risk to children for experiencing child abuse and neglect in times of extreme stress and uncertainty is quite high as COVID-19 has added stressors to the lives of parents and caregivers. During this month of April – and really all year long – please consider what you can do to help raise awareness about the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Getting involved with the CASA program in your local community is one way to help stop the cycle of abuse and neglect by helping to advocate for the best interests of children. There are also numerous other ways to help. Click here to access a variety of resources from Prevent Child Abuse America.

Each year, May is recognized as National Foster Care Month. In Georgia, about 8,000 children are in foster care at any one time, and many have been facing increased isolation over the past year due to COVID-19. It is more critical than ever for communities to work together in identifying the right mix of supports to establish meaningful connections for children and youth in care. We are thankful for over 2,600 CASA volunteers who stay connected to children in foster care and advocate for their best interests.

This year, National Foster Care Month focuses on how to strengthen these connections and the role of family and youth engagement at every stage. We should ensure all families and youth have meaningful involvement in court hearings and case planning and make it possible for youth to stay connected to their parents and extended support systems while in foster care. When it isn’t possible to meet in person, virtual engagement tools can be critical to preserving meaningful connections and engaging youth. Authentically engaging youth and families can lead to increased family stabilization and expedite reunification and permanency. Take some time this month to consider how all of us working to support youth can help them find their voice, develop leadership skills, improve their self-esteem, and shift foster care to a system that truly supports families.
SPOTLIGHT SERIES:
THE POWER OF THE CASA EXPERIENCE
With this edition of our quarterly CASA Connector e-newsletter, we introduce a spotlight series on individuals whose personal and professional trajectory was influenced by their CASA involvement.

We are pleased to spotlight Nicki Vaughan, co-founder of Georgia CASA. Nicki has practiced law since 1994 and is currently the Chief Assistant Public Defender in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit (Gainesville) for Juvenile Court and Administrative Matters. She primarily represents children who are charged with legal offenses that would be crimes, if they were adults. She also does some limited representation of children in dependency cases, which was her primary role before the opening of the Public Defender’s Office.

With a heart for serving children since her undergraduate college days, Nicki originally became involved with Georgia CASA in the early 1980’s at the request of her friend, the late Karen Sibley, who was the founding board chair of Georgia CASA. In 1982, Karen guided Nicki and Kathie Gannon, who also became a co-founder, to attend the National CASA Association’s conference held in South Carolina that year. Originally, they envisioned starting a CASA program in Atlanta and in 1988 incorporated Georgia CASA (originally called Kids in Georgia in Need of Volunteers). However, they found the juvenile court judges in Gainesville and Covington were most interested in implementing CASA programs at that time, and the first two CASA programs in the state began in the Northeastern and Alcovy judicial circuits. Nicki focused on starting the CASA program in Gainesville, ended up moving there, and still resides there today. Because of the vision, compassion, and determination of these three amazing women, CASA programs now exist in 48 of the 49 judicial circuits in the state.

In working in the child welfare field, Nicki states an ongoing challenge is the lack of adequate funding. With case managers for the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) often underpaid and dealing with high expectations and demands, she fully understands the frustrations and turnover rate experienced among DFCS case managers. She states that the CASA program is a vital, influential component of the child welfare system.

Nicki and her husband have two grown sons, both of whom have a sense of responsibility to help others who may be less fortunate. She also has three grandsons, each unique in their own way. She is involved in numerous law and civic groups in the community and in 2019 was awarded a Good Apple Award from Georgia Appleseed in recognition of her leadership and dedication to the well-being of children in the state of Georgia, including her role in establishing the Child Protection and Advocacy Section of the State Bar of Georgia. We appreciate Nicki for all she has done, and continues to do, to benefit both Georgia CASA and the greater child welfare system.
JOIN US VIRTUALLY FOR WALK. RUN. THRIVE. EVENT
ON MAY 1 & 2
Join the Georgia CASA team, along with staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters across the state, as part of the National CASA/GAL Association for Children’s nationwide Walk. Run. Thrive. event to raise awareness for the important work of CASA programs and CASA volunteers. 

Through this virtual event, participants can walk or run wherever they are and at their own pace while sharing their support for the CASA mission. Visit the event page on our website for more details including the national event registration link, a listing of events around the state. You can also participate simply by making a donation.

GEORGIA CASA RELEASES ITS 2021 - 2023 LONG RANGE PLAN
As an organization, Georgia CASA appreciates its unique leadership role within the larger CASA network. As such, the Board of Directors, Georgia CASA leadership and team members, and key stakeholders joined together over six months to chart its course for the next three years. Along with the adoption of the long range plan, the mission and vision was updated to better reflect our advocacy, purpose, and values.  
KAPPA ALPHA THETA/CASA PARTNERSHIP 30 YEARS STRONG
For more than 30 years, Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity has provided critical support for and partnership with the National CASA/GAL Association for Children and CASA programs across the nation with CASA as its national philanthropy. National CASA/GAL recently presented a commemorative book to Theta’s leadership, which offers 30 stories to highlight the myriad ways Theta members have supported the CASA mission throughout this partnership.

Georgia CASA board member Marie Hannon is one of the feature stories. Marie is an exceptional board member who has done so much for Georgia CASA over many years. Please click here to read her story. You can also read stories from 29 other Thetas on the website, including the following Georgia-affiliated Thetas: Brigit Joyce, Kimberly Martin, and Judge Alison Toller.
 
We are so appreciative of the CASA-Theta partnership, both across the nation and in our state!
THANK YOU, DONORS!
Thank you to our donors who supported the work of Georgia CASA for Winter 2021. Because of your investment, more children were provided with a CASA volunteer to amplify their voices. We truly appreciate your investment in children!



If you are not yet part of our donor group, you can give online here! Please consider becoming a Georgia CASA donor or give your next gift as a repeat donor. You can make a difference with a gift of any amount - and a recurring gift is an easy and convenient way to give! Your support is critical and much appreciated as CASA volunteers continue to serve children and 'keep their eyes on them' even more during these challenging times of COVID-19.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
April 27 - 29: Spring Council of Programs
May 1 - 2: Walk. Run. Thrive.
June 9 - 11: All Volunteer Supervisor Meeting & Recruitment Meetup
June 21 - 25: New Volunteer Supervisor Training
August 7: Georgia CASA Conference (Atlanta)
September 16: Georgia Conference on Child Abuse & Neglect (Stone Mountain)
November 17 - 19: Save the Date: The Summit, Georgia's Child Welfare Conference (Alpharetta)

Video About Becoming a CASA Volunteer in Georgia

Interested in joining us to support CASA in Georgia?

Check out these easy ways to support Georgia CASA. Our Kroger Community Rewards number is IY574 or search by our full name - Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates.
Georgia CASA | 404-874-2888 | 800-251-4012 | gacasa.org

In partnership with local affiliates, our goal is that every child who must enter state custody will benefit from the best interest advocacy of a trusted, consistent CASA volunteer. We remain dedicated to supporting the CASA network in the provision of CASA volunteers for every child who comes to the attention of the juvenile court due to abuse and neglect.

Member of The National CASA/GAL Association for Children