October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Many children exposed to violence in the home are also victims of physical abuse. Children who witness domestic violence or are victims of abuse themselves are at serious risk for long-term physical and mental health problems. Children who witness violence between parents may also be at greater risk of being violent in their future relationships. If you are a parent who is experiencing abuse, it can be difficult to know how to protect your child.
134 CASA volunteers served 286 children in September and helped find safe, permanent homes for 15 of those children.
137 children are still waiting for someone to be their voice.

Recruiter's Corner

It only takes 30 minutes to learn about the difference a CASA can make in a child's life.

Register for a virtual CASA 101 information session here.

Our next CASA training will begin January 2023.


"When you connect to the heart of a child, everything is possible."
Dr. Karen Purvis
Child.tcu.edu
OPTIMA's Importance to the Children We Serve
Advocate Supervisors are often asked why Optima Contact Logs are so important. We would like to share some of the benefits to "data driven outcomes" and provide some tips on how we can all do a better job using Optima in a way that positively impacts our cases.

Read the full article below for tips on how accurate information, advocacy planning, and access to documents on Optima lead to great court reports and outstanding testimony.

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 70 children.

In the River Region, 20 children and families were provided 47 hours of counseling.


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

Trick-or-Treating Basics
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 their guardian's cellphone number if they 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

For all kids:
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, the risk of kids being hit by a car is higher on Halloween than on any other day of the year. So make sure all kids:
  • Walk on sidewalks on lit streets (never through alleys or across lawns)
  • Walk from house to house (never run) and always walk facing traffic when walking on roads
  • Cross the street at crosswalks and never assume that vehicles will stop
  • Give kids flashlights with fresh batteries. Kids may also enjoy wearing glow sticks as bracelets or necklaces.
  • Limit trick-or-treating to your neighborhood and the homes of people you know.

When kids get home:
• Help them check all treats to make sure they're sealed. Throw out candy with torn packages or holes in the packages, spoiled items, and any homemade treats that weren't made by someone you know.
• Don't let young children have hard candy or gum that could cause choking.

For more information, please click here.

Source: www.kidshealth.org
Upcoming Trainings.jpg
October Webinars/Conferences
*CASA Volunteers are required to receive 12 Continuing Education hours per year. Only 4 can be articles, newsletters, and films.






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 2021, Child Advocacy Services CASA Program served 446 children with 188 volunteers dedicating over 6,890 hours. The CAC Program provided 707 forensic interviews and 536 counseling sessions to children and families.

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