VISIONS OF HOPE, INC CASA/CRB

To give a child a CASA is to give them HOPE.To give them HOPE is to give them the

WORLD.

A POWERFUL VOICE IN A CHILD’S LIFE

Presented By:

Sharon Robinson-Stokesand

Tammy Katzenmeier

In Reno County there is an organization of trained volunteers whose single purpose is to protect and guide a child to permanency. A group who has just ONE special purpose…

“THE CHILDREN OF RENO COUNTY”

NATIONAL CASA’S HISTORY

The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association was created in 1982 to support volunteer child advocate programs and increase the number of volunteer child advocates nationwide.

Hallmarks of a CASA volunteer program include:

Advocacy for abused and neglected children in court Volunteers who are recruited, screened, trained,

supervised, and supported Adherence to national standards

NATIONAL CASA MISSION

The National CASA Association, together with its state and local

members, supports, and promotes court appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so

that they can thrive in safe, permanent homes.

WHY IS HELP NEEDED? Each Year,

approximately 780,000 children are caught up in the court and child welfare maze.

Children who fall victim to abuse and neglect are often overlooked and end up falling through the cracks of the complex child welfare system.

DURING 2010 RENO COUNTY JUVENILE COURT ALONE HEARD 419 CASES INVOLVING SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

RENO COUNTY CONTINUES TO BE ONE OF THE HIGHEST COUNTIES FOR OUT OF HOME PLACEMENTS.

DID YOU KNOW THAT… There are more than 870,000 cases of

abuse documented each year More than 1,250 children die each year

as the direct result of identifiable abuse or neglect

The majority of child abuse and neglect deaths are under 5 years old

1 out of 10 abusers are the child’s own parents/guardians

1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 5 boys will be sexually assaulted by the age of 18

Between 80% and 90% of our prison population reports being victims of abuse

UNDERSTANDING CHILD ABUSE

& NEGLECT

Recognizing Abuse

Descriptions and

Indicators

PHYSICAL ABUSE

Intentionally harming a child, use of excessive force, reckless endangerment

Unexplained bruises, welts, and scars

Injuries in various stages of healing

Bite marks Unexplained

burns Fractures Injuries not fitting

explanation Internal damage

or Head injury

SEXUAL ABUSE

Engaging a child in an any activity for an adult’s own sexual gratification.

Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge

Sexual acting out Child disclosure of

abuse Excessive

masturbation Physical injury to

genital area Pregnancy or STD at

a young age Torn, stained, or

bloody underclothing Depression, distress,

or trauma Extreme fear

EMOTIONAL ABUSE

The systematic diminishment of a child. It is designed to reduce a child’s concept to point where the child feels unworthy or respect, friendships, love, and other protection, the natural birthrights of all children.

Habit disorders (thumb sucking, biting, rocking, enuresis)

Conduct Disorders (withdrawal or antisocial behavior)

Behavior extremes Overly adaptive

behavior Lags in emotional or

intellectual development

Low self-esteem Depression, suicide

attempts

NEGLECT

Failure of a person responsible for the child’s welfare to provide necessary food, care, clothing, shelter, or medical attention. Can also be failure to act when such interferes with a child’s health and safety.

Physical Signs: Malnourishment Missed

immunizations Lack of dental care Lack of supervision Consistent dirtiness Constant

tiredness/listlessness

Material Signs: Insufficient/improper

clothing Filthy living

conditions Inadequate shelter Insufficient food/poor

nutrition

WHAT IS “BEST INTEREST”?The Best Interest Principle… What it means:

A safe home A permanent home AS quickly as possible

Parents usually decide what is best for their children and then provide it for them to the extent they can. They are their child’s best advocate. The child protection system intervenes in families’ lives when a parent cannot or will not protect, promote, and provide for their children’s basic needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CASA?

Only a CASA volunteer is afforded the opportunity to make third party, independent assessment of each case with only the best interest of the child in mind.

CASA’s work one on one with individual children to ensure each child’s case is brought to a swift and permanent conclusion.

CASA volunteers serves as fact-finders for the judge, help coordinate services for the child, speak for the child in the courtroom, and continue to assess the child’s needs during the duration of a case.

CASA advocates play a major role in improving the statistical outcomes of abused Reno County children by providing the proactive, consistent presence of a concerned, caring adult.

CASA advocates provide the hope to stop juvenile delinquency and violent criminal behavior in our community.

VISIONS OF HOPE, INC.

Research continues to show the best way to prevent children from defiant, destructive behaviors, is the consistent presence of a caring adult in a child’s life. Far too often children are left without anyone to fulfill that role.

Click icon to add picture

WHAT IS A CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD (CRB)

The Citizen Review Board, sometimes called Foster Care Review Boards, is a group of concerned, court appointed community citizens, trained as advisors to the judge to hear selected cases regarding children and juveniles.

These cases are concerning youth that have been placed outside their homes for their own protection (abuse/neglect) or for other reasons, (minor offenses or family problems).

WHO SERVES ON THE BOARD?

Three to five individuals from all backgrounds within the community are appointed to serve on each board because they have an interest in children and the skills to review cases with thoroughness and understanding.

All Board Members receive extensive training, are screened, and take an oath of confidentiality before they ever review their first case.

Each Board meets once a month to review cases in the juvenile court system.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF CRB?The CRB periodically reviews cases and assesses progress towards the goals established in the case plan, and may suggest alternatives to the case plan if progress has not been sufficient.

“The goal is a stable, nurturing and loving home which will

help the child achieve full potential in life”.

The focus is always on achieving a permanent, safe home for the child as

quickly as possible.

HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?

When a review hearing is scheduled, all parties and interested persons are invited to attend and to speak to the Board. This is an informal review where everyone involved will have an opportunity to share and/or express concerns.

After hearing all the presentations, asking questions, and reviewing all written reports, the Board will formulate written recommendations for the judge to consider. The judge makes the final decision regarding action on the case.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CRB?

To the Child?A feeling that people from the community

care and will listen.The knowledge that family members and

professionals are working together to assure the child a permanent home as quickly as possible.

A group of citizens who are advocating for all of the services and child might be in need of.

A clear understanding that there will be a thorough and timely review, and that the child will not be forgotten by the overburdened system.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF CRB

To The Court?A partnership with the community in

determining what is best in juvenile cases.Time which is freed up for more

complicated or more critical cases or other judicial duties.

The knowledge that families and children are less intimidated by the whole system due to their contact with the CRB.

The availability of fresh perspectives and ideas on difficult cases.

OTHER BENEFITS OF CRB

To The Community Increased understanding of the problems

faced daily by families and children.Better outcomes and services for children.Possible savings in payments for long-

term foster care.An opportunity to assist in solving some of

the problems of the community’s children and families.

VISIONS OF HOPE, INC. OF RENO COUNTY…

is committed to the work of providing positive futures for all children. Our mission is to provide programs to ensure the right to a safe, loving, and nurturing home environment.

Visions of Hope provides programs to protect the rights of children and

families in crisis.

COMMITMENT

Commit 1 year as a volunteer

Must pass a criminal background check

There is no cost to get involved

TIME FRAME

To meet National CASA Association standards, local CASA programs will schedule at least 30 hours of pre-service training (in addition to time spent observing in court) with the goal of preparing volunteers to be thorough, effective, and autonomous child advocates.

ATTITUDES AND SKILLS… THAT ENHANCE CASA VOLUNTEER WORK

ProfessionalismEthicsAccountabilityConfidentialityResourcefulnes

sCritical

ThinkingGood Judgment

Interpersonal & Cultural CompetenceOpen-MindednessRespectCollaborationSelf-AwarenessAssertivenessFlexibilityKnowledgeEmpathy

Each of us must come to care about everyone else’s children.

That the welfare of our own children and grandchildren is intimately linked to the welfare of all people’s children.

After all, when one of our children needs lifesaving surgery, someone else’s

child will perform it.

If one of our children is threatened or harmed by violence,

Someone else’s child will be responsible for that violent act

The good life for our own children can only be secured, If a good life is also secured

for all other people’s children.

Child said to his mom,“Mommy, I colored your sheets with

lipstick!”In anger she started to hit her child until he was unconscious. Then, she regretted what she

had done, and crying said to her child, “Please open your eyes!” But it was

too late, his tiny heart had stopped beating, the sheet said…

“I LOVE YOU MOMMY”.

FaceBook post for the Prevention of Child Abuse

SPEAK UP FOR A CHILDChild abuse and neglect is a community-wide responsibility we can and should all share together.

“CASA volunteers have a valuable purpose way beyond being the eyes and ears of the court. There is no possible way to place a value on saving a child’s life”.

Judge Patricia Macke Dick

27th Judicial District Chief Judge

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

“You could be saving a life of a child, while serving your community”

CONTACT INFORMATION

Visions of Hope of Reno County206 W. 1st St.

Hutchinson, KS 67501(620) 662-1688

vohinc@hotmail.com

National CASA- Court Appointed Special Advocate Association

http://www.casaforchildren.org