Summer 2015 Vol. 11

CASA Connection ofJackson CountyKeeping our Volunteers Informed & Connected

From the Desk of Martha Gershun, Executive Director Dear CASA Volunteers, Thank you for being part of the team that helps usdeepen and sustain our expanding work for JacksonCounty's most vulnerable children.

We accepted Court assignment for 106 newchildren in the second quarter of 2015,bringing us to 201 new children year­to­date. This is more than 40% of the new childrenreferred to the Jackson County Family Courtthis year, a higher percentage than we have historically served.Overall we have served 991 children in the first six months of 2015. This is8% more than the 918 children we served in the first half of 2014 ­ making thisanother record­setting year for the agency.We continue to advocate for safe, permanent homes for our children. So farin 2015 we have been very successful in helping our children achievepermanency:

64 CASA children were adopted or placed with a permanent guardian. Another 90 CASA children were safely reunified with their biologicalparents. In the first six months of the year, we have recruited and trained 35 newVolunteers.

We are very grateful for your support ­ thank you for all you have done to make sureour children have a consistent, caring adult to look out for them! Martha

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CASA VOLUNTEERS!

I Am A CASA Volunteer Because

CASA News

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Visit www.jacksoncountycasa­mo.org/backtoschool for more information.

Is your office interested in hosting a Jeans Day to benefitJackson County CASA? Contact Jessica Kerrigan today

for more information.

Volunteer Spotlight

Kathy Knapp, Volunteer since 2014Michael Knabel nominated Kathybecause: "Kathy is consistent.She's a closer. Her two previouscases were released fromjurisdiction in under one year. Herconsistency is apparent in generalcase­work; emails, meetings, visits,and hearings. But it was also ondisplay when she linked a strugglingkinship placement, who had takenin 4 children, with furniture to helppreserve that placement. The kidsreceived almost­new bunk bedsand mattresses and, mostimportantly, something to call theirown. Kathy was instrumental inmaking that happen."

How did you learn about CASA?I had heard of CASA several years ago but didn't take action until I saw an article in

the Kansas City Star about all the amazing things CASA does.

What made you want to become involved? I've been involved with several volunteer organizations that had worthy causes andwhile I enjoyed the activities with those organizations, some were too broad in theiroutreach. The thing I like most about being a CASA volunteer is that I focus on onefamily. I get to know the kids, can develop a relationship with them and feel like I'mhelping them. I like that I can make a difference on a very personal level. What has been your greatest challenge as a CASA Volunteer? Honestly, I find it daunting knowing that through my input to the CASA legal team,my recommendations could impact the lives of strangers. I know that that I'mproviding important details based on my knowledge of the situation and myinteractions with the kids and families. When I'm sitting at the table in court, though,the information I provide to the attorneys can impact not only the immediate familymembers that we know and have worked with but also other involved people. What has been your greatest success as a CASA Volunteer?

I was able to help close two cases in my first year as a CASA volunteer. I miss thekids involved but I'm confident that we left those families in a better place than whenthey entered the system and came to CASA. For one of those families, I got todeliver CASA Christmas gifts to two little girls that were very excited andappreciative. It really made their holiday and I'm glad I got to be a part of thatspecial time with them.

Jennifer Maynard,Volunteer since 2012 CASA Case Supervisor, Hailey Holder, nominatedJennifer, because "Jennifer is always going aboveand beyond for her CASA kiddos and theirfamilies. For example, an upset mother onJennifer's case contacted her when child care fellthrough without notice for this mother's youngdaughter. The child care didn't just fall through forthe day, rather it appeared this daycare wasclosing its doors permanently. Because of this,the mother became worried that her employmentwould be disrupted and the first person she contacted for help was Jennifer. Thismother was a recovering addict and Jennifer could sense that mom was stressed. Then mom told Jennifer that this was the first time she felt on the verge of relapseand without any hesitation, Jennifer told mom to hang tight and she'd be right over. Jennifer left work, met mom at her home and they started to develop a plan."

How did you hear about CASA?

I was fortunate to work for a great company, Home Depot, that was very active inthe community and always believed in giving back. CASA was just one of the great organizations that Home Depot supported and

through this relationship I was able to learn more about the impact a volunteer canmake in a child's life and knew it was something for me. What made you want to become involved? After volunteering at the Carnival for CASA I had the chance to meet several of theCASA staff members and was blown away by their kindness and devotion theyhad for kids. I knew that was a team I wanted to be a part of. What has been your greatest challenge as a CASA Volunteer? The greatest challenge as a volunteer that I have encountered has also been agreat personal growth for me as well; the ability to stay strong and keep fighting forwhat's right no matter the battle ahead. Being a volunteer is not always easyemotionally and requires a lot of strength and perseverance but it is worth everysecond of it if you can give even one child a better life. The children involved don'tchoose to have this life or be put in these situations and that is something I neverforget and what keeps me fighting on their behalf. What has been your greatest success as a CASA Volunteer? My greatest success comes at every visit, it is the smiles and big hugs I get from thechildren I work with. The most rewarding part of volunteering is happiness in thesechildren's eyes. There is nothing worse than seeing a child in pain whether that bephysically or emotionally and not be able to help but as a CASA volunteer you canhelp. There are infinite resources for these kids, all they need is a voice andsomeone to listen, as a volunteer you get to be both.

Upcoming Events

Carnival for CASA

Upcoming Volunteer In­ServicesTOUGH LOVE ON KCPT

Monday, July 6, 2015 at 9 p.m. ­­ Check Your Local Listings

Tough Love Trailer

STEPPINGSTONES BY CAROL WEHMEYER AND KERRY ELLIS

Tuesday, July 14, 2015 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. ­­ CASA Training Room

Steppingstones, a program of Every Child's Hope, offers an independent livingprogram for young adults ages 15 to 21. Steppingstones also offers programs forparenting, pregnant teens, and working with children. Please join Care ManagerSupervisor, Kerry Ellis, and Associate Director, Carol Wehmeyer, for a discussion ofthe programs offered by Steppingstones along with the services available toqualified youth. Please RSVP to Megan. KANSAS CITY CARE CLINIC BY SARAH BAUM, OBIE AUSTIN, ANDCORINNE KRITIKOS Thursday, August 13, 2015 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. ­­ CASA Training Room The Kansas City CARE Clinic provides an integrated approach to healthcare. TheClinic offers adults, teens, and children a full range of services: help with primaryhealth care issues, prevention programs to promote better health and wellness,prescription/pharmacy assistance, STD testing clinics, dental care, well womencare, chiropractic services, and mental health services to include psychology,psychiatric, and counseling appointments as an individual or in groups. JoinDevelopment Office, Sarah Baum, Vice President of General Medicine, Obie Austin,and MSW, Corinne Kritikos, as they discuss options available for CASA children atthe Kansas City CARE Clinic. Please RSVP to Megan. CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION TRAINING BY DARKNESS TO LIGHT

2 Hours ­­ Online

This prevention training program teaches adults how to prevent, recognize and reactresponsibly to child sexual abuse. The program is designed for individualsconcerned about the safety of children as well as organizations that serve youth.The online version allows individuals to take the training at any time or place, at apace of their choosing. Register online here for only $10.

CASA BookwormsCASA Volunteer RecommendationA Path Appears edited by Nicholas D. Kristof and SherylWuDunn Recommended by CASA Volunteer, Elizabeth Behrens,A Path Appears is "a book written for those who areaware of the problems that exist in this world, and wantto be a part of the solutions. It examines differentapproaches that have been tried, what has shown towork, and what has failed and why. You finish readingthe book with a sense of hope and knowledge on whereto best invest your time and resources to make adifference." To purchase your own copy of the A Path Appears,please visit Amazon.

To find out more information about the book and the film, please visitwww.apathappears.org.

Preparing for Life: The Complete Guide for Transitioning toAdulthood for Those with Autism and Asperger'sSyndrome byDr. Jed Baker

Typically, Autism Spectrum Disorder high schoolgraduates are unprepared for the transition toindependence. Early, ongoing training in the social skillscrucial to establishing successful adult relationships­incollege, vocational school, residential living, or on thejob­can help. Dr. Jed Baker also guides readers throughthe legal, financial, educational, vocational, andcommunity resources available after graduation. To purchase your own copy of Preparing for Life, pleasevisit Amazon.

Volunteer Resources

Special Needs Summer Guide

School is out and summer is in. The summer months provide for some of the mostmemorable moments for families. It can also cause some stressful situations forspecial needs families. In a post by the Friendship Circle 13 summer articles have been linked to serve asresources for special needs families. Find the post here.

Do you know of any other resources? We want to know! If you know of other resources that have been helpful for you as a CASA volunteerand might benefit other volunteers, please email Megan Hover. Please title the email "Volunteer Resource," and please include the organization'sname, type of organization (e.g. parent aid services, shelter, etc.), and the websitelink. All resources will be posted on the Jackson County CASA website for all toview and utilize.

Welcome Emma Bergin to Jackson County CASAEmma Bergin, Case Supervisor

Emma Bergin is excited have joined the CASA team in February as a CaseSupervisor. Before coming to CASA, she worked as an Operations Specialist withthe American Red Cross. Emma has a bachelor's degree in Sociology fromNorthwest Missouri State University and a master's degree in International HumanRights Law from Abo Akademi's Human Rights Institute in Turku, Finland, whereshe focused her studies on the protection of children's rights in court. Emmasurvived the cold Finnish winters by developing a love of strong coffee and warmapple pie. Eventually, this turned into opening a pop­up pie stand for RestaurantDay events, where she would make and sell 13 pies a day.

Daryl Rosenblum

Daryl Rosenblum has returned to JacksonCounty CASA this summer. Last year sheworked as an intern under Karrie Duke involunteer programs, and this year she worksthe front desk part­time. She is a rising juniorat the University of Notre Dame, doublemajoring in psychology and classics. Herinterest in law compelled her to join last year,but CASA's welcoming environment andimportant advocacy work brought her backthis year. She is happy to be a part of suchan outstanding organization!

We Want to Meet Your Friends!Do you know someone who might be interested in volunteering at CASA? Sendthem our way! With your help, we can serve more abused and neglected children inour community! Set up an appointment today! Contact Megan Hover: mhover@jacksoncountycasa­mo.org 816.984.8217

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