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TRANSCRIPT
December 2018
CASA of Bell &
Coryell Counties
112 North Main Street
Belton, Texas 76513
(254) 774-1881
Our dear CASA family,
As we approach the new year, we’d like to take a moment with you all to reflect on the many great memories
and successes of the previous year that each and every one of you helped bring to our local program. As many
of our avid readers and followers have noted, 2018 has served as a year of great change and remarkable growth
for CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties. To provide just a brief review of the last year, your CASA has grown in staff
with the addition of a full-time executive administration position, welcoming the talented Ms. LaTaya Moon as a
critical member of your CASA staff. Additionally, this October, we welcomed 13 new Advocates, our largest
volunteer class to date, and officially reached over 100 active volunteers supporting CASA’s mission to serve
abused and neglected children in Bell and Coryell Counties. With our dedicated continuing volunteers and the
wonderful additions we made to our family in 2018, your local CASA program has grown in our capacity to serve
a total 246 children (nearly doubling our capacity in just under two years). This is HUGE. We want you, our valued
CASA volunteers and supporters, to be proud and know that these milestones could not have been possible
without the support, involvement, and advocacy each and every one of you contribute to our program. As one
humble public servant once eloquently stated, “No one is more cherished in this world than someone who
lightens the burden of another.” It is you, the cherished CASA volunteer and supporter, who chooses each day
to lighten the burdens of the beautiful children in our communities – who creates the most positive change and
strengthens our ability to continue the valuable service of a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in
Bell and Coryell Counties.
During the last month, we bid farewell to our dear friend, Ms. Kelly Hardy, former Executive Director for CASA of
Bell and Coryell Counties. We are beyond grateful for all Ms. Hardy has done in her service to CASA and for
equipping our volunteers and staff with the tools we need to continue growing in our service and in our very
important mission.
While we are undoubtedly saddened to have to say goodbye to Ms. Hardy and several other child champions
that have served as our volunteers, board members, and staff over the last year who have helped us in our
mission, your Board of Directors has been hard at work during the last two months ensuring that we enter 2019
with a team not only ready, but equipped to continue this growth and ensure that 100% of children removed
from their homes and families in Bell and Coryell Counties have a champion by their sides, each step of the way,
ensuring that their voices and their right to safe, permanent, nurturing homes are heard every step of the way.
One of these new additions includes our new Executive Director. We are pleased to welcome Dawn Graves as
the Executive Director for CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties. Dawn joins CASA with over 20 years’ experience,
ranging from providing statewide financial literacy opportunities to grant-writing and management. Mrs. Graves
earned a Master’s in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance in 2009 from Western International
University in Tempe, Arizona. In her professional experience, Dawn formerly served as a consultant for Robert Half
Finance & Accounting. She also served as the Regional Director of Education, Development, and Community
Relations for Money Management International, where she was largely involved with increasing program funding
and mentoring regional directors in expanding financial education programs. Most recently, Dawn served as
Executive Director for United Way – Front Royal Warren in Front Royal, Virginia. She has one daughter who is a
Navy veteran, two bonus daughters, and 3 chocolate labs.
Thank you, Dawn, for sharing our passion to speak up for the most vulnerable children in our communities and
joining us in our mission to connect passionate volunteers with our local children that deserve a voice and a
chance. Please stop by and say hi to our new Executive Director as we enter a new year!
Karli Barger
Recruiter/Trainer
CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties
CASA Holiday
Office Hours:
The CASA office will
be closed from
Friday, December
21 until Tuesday,
December 25, 2019.
We will re-open on
Wednesday,
December 26 at
8:30 a.m. Your CASA
staff and Board of
Directors wish you
all a wonderful
holiday season!
REMINDER
Advocate
timesheets are
due on the 5th
of each month!
Make your
time count!
Kris Kringle Raffle Basket: Congratulations, Jimmy Torres!
On Saturday, December 8, CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties hosted
its annual Kris Kringle Raffle Basket drawing at the Salado Winery Co.
This year’s basket included over $3,000 of gifts donated by CASA
supporters in our communities. With the combined efforts of many
active CASA volunteers, board members, staff, and our local CASA
champion supporters, CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties was able to
raise over $3,100 that will go directly to supporting CASA’s mission of
providing quality advocacy for our local children. We would like to
thank our planning committee, donation solicitors, ticket sellers, ticket
buyers, and each and every individual who contributed to the success
of this year’s Christmas basket raffle fundraiser. The winner of this year’s
Kris Kringle Basket is Jimmy Torres, a lifetime resident of Central Texas
and Realtor/Co-Owner of Vista Real Estate. THANK YOU, Jimmy, for all you do in your community and for your
unwavering support of CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties!
CASA Christmas Giving
Greater Killeen Young Professionals’ CASA Toy Drive & Ugly Sweater Party
CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties is proud of the work our many supporters do for our local communities and the
Greater Killeen Young Professionals is one of them! The Greater Killeen Young Professionals (GKYP) formed in 2008
as a way to provide young professionals with opportunities for professional growth and to improve their local
community. This incredible group hosts monthly events for professional development, networking, and
community service. The Greater Killeen Young Professionals have remained champion CASA supporters for
several years and counting! This year, this wonderful organization hosted an Ugly Sweater Party where
participants were asked to donate one toy for children served by Bell and Coryell CASAs as the cost of entry.
With donations collected by the Greater Killeen Young Professionals, 13 children served by CASA volunteers
received needed items and gifts from their very own Christmas lists. We are thankful for your support and
appreciate all that each and every one of you do in your efforts to improve your community and for your support
of CASA volunteers!
H-E-B Adopt-A-Family Provides Christmas to 8 Children Served by CASA Not many people are familiar with the humble beginnings of H-E-B. From a small local store opened in Kerrville,
Texas with a modest $60 in 1905, H-E-B has grown into a leading supermarket chain (over 340 locations) with a
long history of charitable giving across our beautiful state. Our local H-E-B retailers have been champion CASA
supporters for 9 years and counting! On Wednesday, December 19, 11 members of the H-E-B community visited
the CASA office and donated Christmas gifts for 8 children served by CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties
volunteers. “When the H-E-B employees arrived at our office, it was truly overwhelming – just a train of green
boxes filled with beautifully wrapped gifts. I was immediately overcome with joy and appreciation for all the hard
work that went into this year’s H-E-B giving for the precious children our volunteers serve,” Karli Barger,
Recruiter/Trainer stated. Thank you, H-E-B, for providing Christmas gifts for these 8 children, bringing smiles to 8
beautiful faces, and for all you do in support of CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties volunteers and the children we
serve!
Thank You to Our Individual Gift Donors!
CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties has been truly fortunate in receiving gifts this year for the children we serve by
both large organizations and individual donors alike. Along with the needed items and gifts donated by the
Greater Killeen Young Professionals and H-E-B, we also received donated gifts from individual members of your
community and we would like to take a moment to thank each of the following groups and individuals: Eastside
Baptist Church (Copperas Cove), Ms. Chapman and friends, Carrie, Stephanie, Christine, Diana, Mike, Samantha,
Vanessa, Allison, Butch, and Vickie. A huge THANK YOU to each and every one of you, as well as our anonymous
donors, for ensuring that each and every child served by a CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties volunteer has a
memorable Christmas. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season!
The Greater Killeen Young Professionals’ CASA Toy Drive/Ugly Sweater Party (December 2018)
H-E-B Christmas Giving, CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties (December 2018)
From left to right: Crofton, Stephan, Daniel, Matt, Gary, Jay, Ray, Jimmy, Rich, Dawn Graves (Executive
Director), Michele, Joe, Karli Barger (Recruiter/Trainer), and Pat.
WHO CAN BE A CASA?
If you or someone you
know has heart,
strength, and
compassion to speak
up for children, let us
know!
Court Appointed
Special Advocates
are volunteers who
pledge to give their
time to help children
journey through the
foster care system.
They speak on behalf
of a child at court
hearings and use their
voice to put the best
interests of the child
first.
If you have or know
someone that has the
qualities to give
children another
chance, let us know
by emailing
kbarger.bccasa
@outlook.com.
New CASA
Volunteer
Orientation:
January 10, 2018
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
at the CASA office
C
A
S
A
Strengthening
the voices of
Texas
children.
Volunteer Highlights and Stories
Holly Puckett
CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties welcomed Holly Puckett as a
Court Appointed Special Advocate in June 2017. Since joining
CASA, Holly has served as an Advocate on three cases involving
three children and has done a phenomenal job in her role as a
Court Appointed Special Advocate in every case she has been assigned. CASA Supervisors
Lindsay Beaton and Vicki Israel stated that Holly is great with her case documentation,
submitting monthly documents in a timely manner, and is a great representation of the heart of
CASA. Outside of her casework, Holly has also been actively involved in CASA’s fundraising
efforts since beginning her CASA journey. CASA Supervisor Vicki Israel stated “Holly was a huge
help with our First Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K. She is such a joy to work with. It’s been a pleasure
working with her in these different capacities and I look forward to continuing to work with her.”
Holly is currently serving on the fundraising committee for our Second Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K
and Family Fun Festival. Thank you for your service to our local children and your invaluable
support in CASA’s fundraising efforts, Holly!
Nicole Slaughter
Nicole Slaughter also joined CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties as a Court Appointed Special
Advocate in June 2017. CASA Supervisor Vicki Israel stated, “Nicole is one tough cookie and
truly a CASA warrior.” Since beginning her service, Nicole has worked two cases involving three
children and recently accepted her third case. Not only has Nicole been a star Advocate for
the children in our community, but she has also been served as a fundraising champion for our
local program as a volunteer member of the Fundraising Committee. Last year, Nicole served
as an assistant lead for our first annual CASA St. Patrick’s Day 5K and Family Fun Run. CASA
Supervisor Vicki Israel also stated, “Nicole was truly instrumental in the success of last year’s 5K
fundraiser. With her hard work, dedication, and ‘take-charge’ approach in all that she does,
CASA was able to secure sponsorships with State Farm, Extraco Banks, Jack Hilliard Distributing
Co., and many others that helped make our first 5K a huge success.” We are very excited to
announce that, this year, Nicole will continue her work with one of CASA’s largest annual
fundraisers as the Planning Committee Chair of the St. Patrick’s Day 5K and Family Fun Festival.
Thank you, Nicole, for your persistence, dedication, and choosing to be a valued member of
our CASA family each day.
If you have not yet been featured in the CASA newsletter or if you have only been briefly mentioned, we
are still waiting to hear your story! Your Recruiter/Trainer is actively seeking information from our staff, those
who have praised CASA volunteers in our communities, and from you - the CASA volunteer! If you would
like to share your story but remain anonymous, let us know! Please send us your stories or stories of your
fellow volunteers by email to Karli Barger, Recruiter/Trainer, at [email protected].
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Sharon Cheatum (December 8), Stacie Driver (December 20), Claire Joseph (December 16),
Nicole Slaughter (December 21), and Barbara Stabeno (December 16).
WONDERING WHO
SOME OF OUR
SUPPORTERS ARE?
Central
Texas &
Greater Fort
Hood
Bell
County
Comm.
Court
Coryell
County
Comm.
Court
THE SWALM
Foundation
The Subhani
Foundation
Frank and
Sue Mayborn
Foundation
Attention, Advocates! Let CASA Know YOU Make the Difference! CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties is excited to announce that, beginning January 2019, YOU
can earn by helping us earn! Turning in your time sheets on time each month allows CASA to
receive funding for your hard work. Beginning next month, every volunteer that submits their
time sheet by 5:00 p.m. on the 5th of the month will be automatically entered in a drawing to
win a $25 gift card. That’s right – each month you submit your time sheet on time to CASA, you
are eligible to receive a $25 prize! Your local CASA program recognizes the incredible work each
and every one of you do and we want you to be recognized for it! In order to remain eligible
each month, please submit your time sheet by either sending your signed time sheet to your
CASA supervisor (either in-person or vial email) or by dropping it off to the CASA of Bell and
Coryell Counties office in Belton. Time sheets can be returned electronically by emailing a script-
font signed copy to [email protected], or emailing a script-font signed copy to your
CASA supervisor).
If you have questions or concerns regarding completion of your time sheets or how to submit
your documentation, contact your CASA supervisor, call (254) 774-1881, or email
The winner of the $25 gift card will be announced by the 15th of each month and the winner will
be contacted via phone or email.
Please remember to not use names – only the title of the person, (i.e. teacher, doctor, CPS
worker, supervisor, child, mom, dad, foster mom, foster dad, etc.) to maintain confidentiality!
CASA of Bell & Coryell Counties
Meet Your Board of Directors
As we enter 2019, we would like to welcome 4 new members to the CASA of Bell and Coryell
Counties Board of Directors. First, Mrs. Ann Hendrix, who has served as a CASA volunteer for
CASA of Central Texas and transferred to our program earlier this year. Ann is an incredible artist
and the co-founder of a nonprofit. She will serve as the Volunteer Member of the Board
beginning in 2019. We would also like to welcome Courtney Kissel, Executive Assistant for Centex
Technologies, a company that has provided their services and expertise to your CASA staff time
and again. Janice Peronto, Executive Director of Special Education for the Killeen Independent
School District, will be joining our Board in January 2019. Last, but not least, we would like to
welcome Becky Montgomery. Becky currently serves as an organist for the First Baptist Church
of Temple. We are excited to welcome each and every one of you in your new roles and look
forward to working with you in our mission of advocacy for our local children in the year ahead!
Please see below for a full list of your 2019 CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties Board of Directors
and officers.
CASA of Bell and
Coryell Counties
thanks the
following
businesses for
your Kris Kringle
Basket donations
and for being
champion CASA
supporters!
Would you like to know more about our fabulous Board of Directors? Each month, CASA
of Bell and Coryell Counties features one member of our Board to shine light on their
roles, backgrounds, and experience with CASA. This month, we would like you to meet
our new Board Vice President for 2019, Ms. Lee Ann Deal!
December 2018: Lee Ann Deal My mother was considered a “Pied Piper” when it came to young
children. I think it was her quiet demeanor and warm smile that made
them feel safe and eager to approach her. Once they interacted with
her, they knew they were accepted and loved for who they were. I
think it was watching my mother with children that prepared a special
place in my heart for them also. There is a downside, though. When
children have your heart, it can be absolute agony to hear them cry –
especially when there is little you can do to help.
I tell you this because it lays the foundation for why I chose social work
as my major in college, why I chose Child Welfare for my “professional
semester” toward my degree, and why one of my first jobs after
graduating was in Child Protective Services. I began my career in
Dallas in 1973 working for the “state welfare department.” I progressed
to Child Protective Services and was able to use that experience when I moved to Indiana in
1975 to become a Child Welfare Consultant with the Title XX Program managed by the state.
It was during my tenure with Indiana that I learned about this new resource for children in the
court system (through no fault of their own) called a Guardian ad Litem. The Guardian ad Litem
was to be assigned by the family court judge to be a representative and voice for the child. Up
to that point, a child who had been removed from their parent(s) for whatever reason could
easily fall through the cracks and/or be used as a pawn by the adults in the situation. The
Guardian ad Litem was tasked with learning as much as possible about the child and their
situation, i.e. fears, risks, challenges, resources, support systems, strengths, etc. The Guardian
then had the responsibility of reporting their findings to the judge and making recommendations
as to what was truly in the best interest of that child. You can imagine my delight when I learned
that my own Dallas County inaugurated a new system for using trained volunteers to become
Guardians ad Litem called Court Appointed Special Advocates – CASAs!
Fast forward 38 years and what do I have the opportunity to do but help CASA of Bell and Coryell
Counties transition into an independent organization! What a privilege! And now, for the past
2 years and going forward, I am honored to be a member of the Board of Directors. Among
the many lessons I have learned over the past 3 years is that our community is extraordinarily
blessed to have the dedicated volunteers that have worked with and for children as CASAs in
Bell and Coryell Counties since 1997 and 2006 respectively. In addition, our community is blessed
by the fact that four years ago many selfless and committed leaders volunteered to work with
Texas CASA and our local judges in order to create a new independent CASA organization.
Because of their great work, CASA has steadily grown and strengthened over the past 4 years
to benefit many more children throughout the two counties.
Sadly, the need for CASAs in our two counties is extraordinarily high; so even as we are growing,
we are not able to completely fulfill the need. Fortunately, Bell County bridges the gap with
employed advocates but they are overwhelmed, too. Consequently, the CASA staff has
worked diligently recruiting, training and supporting new CASAs so they can support and be the
voice for more children. Although we have added to our numbers of volunteers, there are so
many more children who need CASAs.
When I hear a child cry, my heart breaks; does yours? When it comes to children in our court
systems, the sound may not be audible, but it should be even more profound. Will you step up
to help these precious children? This is your chance to make a difference. Contact the CASA
office today to find out how you can help – as a volunteer or as a financial supporter! Together
we can ensure no child feels alone or lost in the system and every child has hope for the future.
Lee Ann Deal Vice President
CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties
Marilu Family Hair
Salon
Vista and Fairway Are Giving Back!
If you are in the market for a home and interested in giving back to the community in your home-
buying process, here is your chance! Dennis Fletcher of Fairway and Christine Fletcher of Vista
Real Estate (both current CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties volunteers!) are passionate about
giving and will donate $500 in the borrower’s name (to any charity of the borrower’s choice) for
every loan originated with Fairway and Vista Realtors. If you work with both Dennis and Christine,
be sure to name a charity for a donation! If the borrower does not pick a charity, these CASA
champions will send the donation to your very own CASA of Bell and Counties. Thank you, Dennis
and Christine, for your continued generosity and for all you do for your community!
Waffle Cone
Wes’ Burger Shack
& More
Aces High Bingo Support CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties!
Did you know Aces High Bingo in Temple has
offered to serve as a continuous fundraiser for
your local CASA? Aces High Bingo opened on
Friday, August 17, 2018 and is a member of
Texas Charity Bingo, a group of bingo locations
across central Texas that benefit local charities
and nonprofit organizations. This new bingo hall
in Temple will benefit both the Boys & Girls Club
of Central Texas, Inc. and CASA of Bell & Coryell
Counties. CASA sessions are on Mondays at
2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and Tuesdays at 2:00
p.m. You can read more from the Temple Daily
Telegram here. We hope you will stop by soon
to enjoy a game of bingo for a great cause!
New from National CASA
National CASA Association Featured in Paramount’s Instant Family
If you are interested in the latest Hollywood take on the experiences of the foster-to-adopt
process, Instant Family may just be for you! On November 16, Paramount Pictures released the
dramedy Instant Family, the heartwarming story of Pete (played by Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie
(played by Rose Byrne) embarking on their journey to parenthood. The cast also includes
Isabela Moner, Tom Segura, Tig Notaro, Octavia Spencer, and many more. Director Sean Anders
states that the film was inspired by his and his wife’s experiences following their adoption of three
children living in foster care. Instant Family attempts to shine light on the complexities of the
foster care system, challenges faced by youth in care and foster parents, and brings forward
many key issues CASA volunteers tackle each day in their service to children living in care. At
the end of the film, viewers are directed to InstantFamily.org. We are very proud to announce
that this website highlights the National CASA Association and directs visitors to National CASA’s
volunteer page for individuals interested in joining the fight to support children living in foster
care. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and AdoptUSKids are also featured on the
Instant Family website. To read a full review of the film from Texas CASA, click here.
News from Texas CASA
Registration Now Open!
2019 Texas CASA Child Welfare Primer and CASA Day at the Capitol
Are you interested in helping in spreading CASA advocacy from the courtroom to the Capitol?
This year’s Child Welfare Primer: Essential Advocacy for Child & Family Wellbeing will center on
current issues effecting Texas’ child welfare system and how CASA, policymakers, and child
welfare stakeholders can work together to improve outcomes for Texas children living in foster
care. This two-part event will take place on Monday, February 4, 2019 at the Omni Austin Hotel
Downtown. The morning session (beginning at 9:00 a.m.) is open to all volunteers, board
members, and staff in the CASA network and will cover Texas CASA’s Legislative Priorities. The
afternoon session will include two panel discussions (Substance Use & Abuse: Moving the
Conversation Forward and Normalcy: Challenges & Opportunities in Foster Care). All members
of the CASA network as well as legislators, legislative staff, and stakeholders are invited to attend
the afternoon session, which begins with a complimentary lunch at 11:30 a.m. To view the full
agenda, click here. Both registration and lunch are free for this event. If you are a member of
the CASA network (volunteer, board member, or staff), click here to register. If you are a
stakeholder in the child welfare community, you can register here.
T
h
a
n
k
y
o
u
!
Following the 2019 Child Welfare Primer, CASA Day at the Capitol will take place on Tuesday,
February 5, 2019. The event will begin at 8:00 a.m. with welcome remarks and a presentation by
Andy Homer, Texas CASA Public Policy Executive Director. The event will also include legislative
office visits, Capitol Resolutions, and a complimentary breakfast. $3.00 boxed lunches and $5.00
t-shirts will be available to those who pre-order during registration (these cannot be ordered on-
site the day of the event, so please order during registration). If you attempt to register and are
waitlisted, please allow 3-5 business days to be added to the attendance roster. To view the full
agenda, click here.
Registration for both events is free and will close on Friday, January 18, 2019 or until registration
reaches capacity, so save your spot now! Attending one or both of these events can also count
toward your CASA continuing education credits. For questions regarding event details,
schedules, registration, or in-service training credits, please contact Karli Barger,
Recruiter/Trainer, at (254) 831-9880 or at [email protected]. We hope to see you
there!
The Family Helpline for Strong Families and Safe Children
The child welfare system can be very complicated and difficult to navigate, especially for
parents and caregivers. Luckily, there are numerous resources available that can help ease the
burden and answer questions along the way. The Family Helpline for Strong Families and Safe
Children is a resource available to Texas parents and caregivers involved in the CPS system. By
calling the Family Helpline (1-844-888-6565; Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.),
attorneys with extensive history working with CPS can demystify the CPS process, provide a
walkthrough, what to expect at various stages of the process, and refer callers to local resources
that could benefit the children we serve and their families. A project of the Austin-based Texas
Legal Services Center, the Family Helpline is staffed by experienced attorneys that can help
parents, caregivers, and Advocates navigate the process, provide free, objective legal
information, and referrals for families and caregivers. While the helpline was designed to assist
families with the system, Crystal Leff-Piñon (Helpline Managing Attorney) states that the helpline
is open to anyone who needs questions answered. “Anyone in the community can call in and
basically get a free class on child welfare law,” says Leff-Piñon. If you (as a CASA volunteer) or
a parent/caregiver you work with through CASA could benefit from this resource, please call
the number above or call Karli Barger, Recruiter/Trainer, at (254) 831-9880.
Texas CASA Voice In A Minute
Do you want to get your Texas CASA news
firsthand but struggle finding the time to
keep informed? Texas CASA knows our
volunteers, board members, staff, and
supporters are staying busy fighting the
good fight. Here’s where we introduce you
to The CASA Voice in a Minute! With Texas
CASA’s new quarterly digest, even the
busiest child champions can keep up with
all-things-CASA. The CASA Voice in a Minute is a single email sent to subscribers once every
three months and includes only the most important and relevant stories from previous editions
of The CASA Voice. Click here to take a look at the first edition of The CASA Voice in a Minute.
If you like what you see, you can subscribe here!
Calling All CASA Fundraising Volunteers!
2nd Annual CASA St. Patrick’s Day 5K & Family Fun Festival
Our next fundraiser is quickly approaching and CASA
is requesting YOUR assistance from any volunteers,
board members, staff, and supporters that want to go
the extra mile and get involved! The 2nd Annual St.
Patrick’s Day 5K & Family Fun Festival will take place
on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Friars Creek Hike and
Bike Trail in Temple, Texas. The planning committee is
seeking assistance in several areas, including
planning, event set-up and break-down, manning
water stations, event registration, decorations, and
various assignments on the day of the event. We are
only a couple months away and need all hands on
deck! If you are interested in serving as a champion
fundraiser for CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties,
please contact Karli Barger, Recruiter/Trainer, at (254)
831-9880 or at [email protected].
Art Supplies Availble: Claim Them for Your CASA Kid!
Attention, CASA volunteers! CASA of Bell and
Coryell Counties has recently received a donation
of art supplies for middle-school-aged/high-school-
aged youth. Supplies include drawing pads of
various sizes, an art tube with a shoulder strap, a
portfolio binder, and a large plastic carrying case
(with straps and zippers for carrying art supplies). If
you know a child that could make use of these
items, please contact Karli Barger, Recruiter/Trainer,
at [email protected] or at (254) 831-
9880. CASA children only, please! Thank you for
giving to our local children in need!
Advocates Imelda Egan and Chanel Respers at CASA’s
1st Annual 5K on St. Patrick’s Day and Family Fun Run
Outreach
Do you want to help spread the mission of CASA in our communities? Would you like to help
connect passionate individuals with a truly worthy cause? If so, CASA is always looking for
volunteers to assist with outreach! We will need a minimum of four (4) CASA volunteers, staff,
board members, and/or Friends of CASA to operate one of the following booths in 1.5-hour shifts.
Participants will assist in event set-up, break-down, and sharing the mission of CASA with many
of our future volunteers and supporters! If you are interested in participating in one of the
upcoming events for 2019, please contact Karli Barger by calling (254) 831-9880 or emailing
Friday, January 25, 2019
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
UMHB Social Work Field Fair
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
900 College St
Belton, Texas 76513
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
UMHB Spring 2019 Job & Internship Fair
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
900 College Street
Belton, Texas 76513
Volunteer Continuing Education Opportunities
One of the many wonderful things about being a Court Appointed Special Advocate is the
opportunity to learn and grow! Advocates maintain 12 hours of in-service training per year in
order to provide informed advocacy to children in Bell and Coryell Counties. Your local CASA
and other organizations in our communities provide many continuing education opportunities
to volunteers and partners with numerous individuals, agencies, and community organizations
to share information on a wide array of topics in the sphere of social work and child advocacy.
There are always more opportunities in the works and Karli Barger, your Recruiter/Trainer, is active
and on it! If you desire to grow in your service to children as a Court Appointed Special
Advocate, your CASA staff always has something for you! Take a look at the new training
opportunities below. There are also several other options you have to receive continuing
education credits in your community or from home. We hope you will join us!
2019 Texas CASA Child Welfare Primer
Provided by Texas CASA
Monday, February 4, 2019
9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Omni Austin Hotel Downtown
700 San Jacinto Blvd | Austin, Texas 78701
Click here to navigate.
Registration: CASA Network
Registration: Child Welfare Community
2019 CASA Day at the Capitol
Provided by Texas CASA
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Texas State Capitol
1100 Congress Ave | Austin, Texas 78701
Click here to navigate.
Registration: CASA Network
Registration: Child Welfare Community
Webinar
Trauma & Mental Health Considerations in a
Child Sex Trafficking Response
Provided by the NCJT – Fox Valley
Technical College
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Click here to register!
Home Learning
Introducing TBRI® 101: A Self-Guided Course
in Trust-Based Relationships
Provided by Texas CASA
Part I: Understanding Trauma
Part II: Empowering Principles
Part III: Connecting Principles
Click here to access!
Other Options for In-Service Training
1. Your CASA office has numerous movies, books, and training videos available for
checkout for all CASA volunteers. Stop by and browse through what we have
available!
2. There are many forums, trainings, and workshops provided throughout our communities
by numerous individuals and organizations that relate to your work as a CASA
volunteer. If you attend an event you believe is relevant to your role as a CASA, you
can receive credit for it!
3. Texas CASA has multiple webinars covering a wide array of topics, all valuable and
worth viewing. You can access these webinars here!
4. Lunches with the Judges always count as in-service training! Both judges generously
make themselves available to CASA volunteers on a regular basis throughout the year
and provide the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Bell and Coryell CASAs. Each
session you attend counts toward your in-service training! We are scheduling more
lunches with Judge Van Orden and Judge Maybray for 2019, so stay tuned!
In order to receive credit for any in-service training you perform on your own without signing in as a
group, you will need to provide a one-page summary of the material covered. These summaries should
include what you learned and how you believe it will benefit you in serving children in foster care.
Recruitment and Pre-Service Training
New CASA Volunteer Training
Thursday, January 10, 2019| 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | CASA Office
Do you or does someone you know want to make difference for a child in the foster
care system? If so, visit our website to submit an application or call Recruiter/Trainer
Karli Barger at (254) 831-9880 to receive the complete application packet!
APPLY TO BECOME A CASA HERE!
Do you know someone who has what it takes to speak up for a child? If so, nominate them here!
Our team of volunteers, board, staff, and communities are beyond
grateful to all of our supporters – and you, our individual donors and
CASA volunteers who continue to stand up for children and support
CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties.
CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties is always ready for positive
change – will you join us?
Keep an eye out for your new CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties
Newsletter beginning in the new year.
Stay tuned!