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Chattahoochee CASA
2012 Annual Report
A program of Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc.
Court Appointed Special Advocate
Meet Our Staff
CASA Program Coordinator
Rosalind Alston
It is clear from the increasing numbers of
suspected child abuse reports and the number of cases substantiated that the social
service agencies and courts are tasked to do
more with less resources. CASA is a resource that both can utilize. As the courts
struggle to remain in compliance with the
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act,
(CAPTA) and provide a Guardian Ad Litem
for every child, the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated (O.C.G.A.) authorizes a CASA
volunteer to fulfill this role. CASA Volunteers can assist DFCS by providing information for family assessments, reaching out
to relatives, case plan and permanency planning, monitoring court orders and timelines,
reporting case progress as well as providing
additional watchful oversight of children by
monthly face-to-face visits. CASA communicates essential findings to both
DFCS and the court. In this difficult climate it is essential that all agencies work
together and not against each other. The safety, health and well-being of children are our collective responsibility. Although each of us approach the case
with our own unique perspectives and life experiences, it takes all perspectives
to help children overcome the adverse effects they face being victims of child
abuse and neglect which often manifest into behavioral, social and emotional
difficulties. The children and families we serve need all of us. We may not take
the same route but we are all trying to reach the same destination; happy and
well adjusted children who reach desirable permanency outcomes.
Heather Irvin
Advocate Coordinator
“It is a true honor to work with volunteers that
have such a strong passion for our children
in the foster care system.”
Alaina Barnett
Advocate Supervisor
“Making an impact on the life of a child is
analogous to how the Grinch’s heart grew
three times larger when he caught the
Christmas Spirit.”
CASA
Photo Gallery
Twin Cedars Youth and
Family Services, Inc.
Agency Mission
The mission of Twin Cedars
Youth and Family Services,
Inc. (TCYFS) is to provide
programs and services
empowering children, youth
and families to achieve their
optimum potential.
Chattahoochee CASA
Program Mission
Chattahoochee CASA
recruits, screens, trains and
supervises highly qualified
volunteers to advocate for
abused and neglected children
involved in juvenile court
deprivation proceedings.
Purpose
Chattahoochee CASA began
as a program under Twin
Cedars Youth and Family
Services, Inc. in 2008 and is
an affiliate of the National
CASA and the Georgia CASA
Association. A CASA is a
trained community volunteer
who is appointed by a judge to
advocate on behalf of a child
in deprivation hearings.
CASA Volunteers are required
to complete 30 hours of classroom training and 10 additional hours of self directed
study. Once sworn-in by the
judge as a CASA Volunteer,
they are required to obtain 12
additional hours of annual inservice training .
In the Courtroom...
Judge Warner Kennon
Chattahoochee CASA has a long standing
relationship with the Honorable Judge Warner
Kennon since 2008. Judge Kennon has proven to be an
advocate for children and CASA. As the Presiding
Judge, he continues to support our efforts in being a
voice for abused and neglected children in the
Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit. His support has been
the foundation of our continuing relationship with
Juvenile Court. Judge Kennon’s support and presence
has been greatly appreciated in our annual events.
Judge Andrew Dodgen
We gladly welcome the Honorable Judge Andrew
Dodgen. He has been the Juvenile Court Judge since
October 2011 and has already become a supporter of
CASA. This is demonstrated by his leading our
CASA Walk, participating in United Way site
reviews, swearing-in ceremonies and the importance
he places on the role of CASA in the courtroom.
Judge Dodgen ensures that CASA has an opportunity
to serve on cases that will benefit the child and family
and on cases he thinks needs an independent and
objective third party view.
Child Advocate Attorney
Robert Wilson
Child Advocate Attorney, Robert Wilson, has been
serving a vital role in the courtroom for abused and
neglected children in Muscogee County for 15 years.
Attorney Wilson focuses on the child. He ensures the
right questions are being asked and that case plans or
completed as ordered in effort to ensure permanency
outcomes are in the best interest of the child. With
CASA’s independent knowledge of the case along with
Attorney Wilson’s knowledge of the law and policy,
together we can achieve full representation of the
child’s needs and best interest.
Volunteer Advocates
Hearings/Panels/Reports
Advocate’s Hours/Miles
52 Hearings Attended
70 Panels Attended
127 Reports Submitted
1,990 Hours
11,471 Miles
Demographics
Gender
Age
21-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60+
Male
Race/Ethnicity
Female
AA
White
Hispanic
2%
15%
11%
Multi-ethnic
Other
5% 3%
17%
9%
52%
38%
34%
83%
31%
Outcomes
Recruitment/Retention
of Volunteers
FY 2012
45
40
40
35
Retained
30
32
25
New
New
20
Retained
15
Exited
15
10
Exited
5
0
New
Retained
Revenues
Fundraiser/
Donations
2,833
United Way
50,000
VOCA
36,140
GA CASA
31,757
National
CASA
35,000
Exited
Volunteer
Activities
1,163
Trainings
2,865
Expenses
Children
290
Reserves
10,000
Program/Admin
General
Operating
23,695
Salaries/Benefits
117,717
Program Statistics
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but
still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything, I
will not refuse to do the something that I can do. —Helen Keller
Children Statistics
Chattahoochee CASA Children
“Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children,
the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence”
— Nelson Mandela
Demographics
Age
0-5 yrs
6-11 yrs
Gender
12-17 yrs
18 + yrs
Male
Race/Ethnicity
Female
AA
White
Hispanic
0%
0%
6%
35%
Multi-ethnic
45%
11%
48%
18%
52%
65%
20%
Outcomes
Permanency
Reunification
Place with Relative
16
Adoption
Emancipation
Long-term Foster Care
Other
15
14
13
12
10
8
6
4
5
4
3
2
2
0
Reunification
Place with Relative
Adoption
Emancipation
Long-term Foster
Care
Other
Other
Satisfaction Survey Summary
Stakeholder’s Satisfaction Surveys were completed in September
2011. Responses were weighted on a pseudo-Lykert 5 point scale
as follows; Completely Satisfied 100%, Very Satisfied 90%, Satisfied 80%, Somewhat Satisfied 70%, Not Satisfied 60%.
Results
95%
90%
85%
80%
75%
70%
Volunteers
Attorneys
Volunteers
Attorneys
Court Staff
Court Staff
DFCS
DFCS
Validity factors:
3 of 6 responses from Attorneys &
6 of 24 staff responses from DFCS
CASA
Photo Gallery
CASA
Photo Gallery
CASA Volunteers
July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012
5 + years
Alaina Barnett
Charlie House
1 - 2 years
Less than 1 year
Deborah Bass
Willie Adkins
Gina Boren
Lacramioara Blackwell
Veda Brown
Twilla Booker
Mae Delgado
Jackie Brown
2 - 4 years
Kimberly Gill
Apryl Campbell
Dexter Barrow
Daimah Hameed
Jamie Capers
Tonia Bell
Demetrius Hardaway
Arcasia Cohen
Komeka Biddle
Tamara
Hardnett
Tyila Cooks
Tamika Blythers
Amanda Hinen
David Davis
Mary Boston
Nicole
Lee
Freddie
Dupree
Erica Brown
Peggy Little
Shaquita
Fanning
Andrew Cox
Nicole Lobo
Christina Green
Ellen Greer
LaShawndee May
Kimberly
Hollis
Kathy Hogencamp
Sandra Montgomery
Mark Hunter
Darlene Jackson
Latasha Morss
Brenda Jones
Tomacia Johnson
Valencia Pease
Amber Lewis
Barbara Jordan
Tivika Reed
Vicki Lieberman
Sarah Littrell
Angela Rhein
Ty Marchand
Shelia Lovely
Nikki Mitchell
Deborah Roush
Denise Means
Nancy Morrison
Kimberly Seldon
Minnie Moody
Julie Nucklos
Agnes Shelton
Frank Steele
Kimberly Smith
Jessica Shelton
Michelle Summers
Davrae Stokes
Melanie Smith
Desonuia Wise
Latrivia Turner
Laurie Smithson
Pamela Vandusseldorp
Danielle Spain
Tracy Williams
Antonio Thornton
Jacqueline Williams
Tiffany Wilson
2012 CASA Events
CASA Quarterly and Community Trainings, Swearing-In Ceremonies/
Receptions, Fountain City Foster Care Picnic, CASA Volunteer
Christmas Party, Fountain City Foster Care Christmas Party, CASA
Day at the Capital, GA CASA State Conference, “I am for the child”
Walk, National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Event,
Volunteer Appreciation Activities, TRI-DVS Awards Luncheon and
National CASA Conference in Washington, DC.
Michelle and Teyana’s Story
CASA 2011-2012
Advisory Board
Andy Young, President
Mike Angstadt
Kyle Bair
Sheri Cody
David Ebron, LCSW
Yolanda Fripp
Mary Hayes
Carolyn Hester
Kathy Hogencamp
Henry Holt
Mary Norwood
Tom Tebeau
Desonuia Wise
James Worsley, PhD
CASA 2011-2012
Volunteer Committee
Debbie Bass
Komeka Biddle
Tamika Blythers
Jackie Brown
David Davis
Shaquita Fanning
Ellen Greer
Amanda Hinen
Kathy Hogencamp
Nicole Lee
Angela Rhein
Jessica Shelton
Laurie Smithson
Danielle Spain
Teyana came into foster care a few
years ago and was quickly appointed
a CASA, Michelle Summers. Teyana
didn’t know what to think about her
CASA at first because she didn’t
know what CASA was. As the
relationship developed Teyana
discovered she had a voice in the
courtroom. CASA to her means,
“MY court Advocate. No one ever
asked me what I wanted until my
CASA came along and then I felt like I was empowered,” reports Teyana. “She was
different; she was joyful, happy, uplifting and it was refreshing. Some of my most
memorable moments were when I first met Michelle and she made a homemade
pillowcase that said, ‘Stand up for what you believe in’ with her phone number on it
so I could always reach her. I felt like I could talk openly with her. If I could tell
other foster children about CASA, I would say, ‘if you really want something, then
your CASA can relay that to the Judge’. You’re NOT just another case. My CASA
helped me to reach a permanent placement. After I ran away and came back,
Michelle recommended to the court that my foster parents get guardianship of me;
she gave me a voice in my preferred placement.” Although Teyana’s case is now
closed, she hopes to continue her relationship with Michelle for a long time. She
plans to finish her GED and enroll in Virginia College’s surgical technician
program. She then plans to join the military and hopes to one day become a
surgeon.
Foster Parent Association Collaboration
Chattahoochee CASA has been collaborating
with the Fountain City Foster Parent
Association since 2009 by supporting their
Back To School Picnic with book bags,
school supplies, refreshments and
chaperones. Our lives have been enriched as
a result of participating in the Annual
Christmas Party by assisting with set-up and
clean-up, acting as servers and providing
gifts to the children in care. Foster Parents
provide a valuable resource for our children
and CASA is privileged and honored to
work with them.
Chattahoochee Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
18 Ninth Street • Suite 104 • Columbus, GA 31901
Phone: 706.327.9612 • Fax: 706.327.7904
ralston@twincedars.org • www.twincedars.org •
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chattahoochee-CASA/303455620367
Member of National CASA Association
and Georgia CASA Association