Information of Visions of Hope as a CASA or CRB member.

1. A POWERFUL VOICE IN A CHILD’S LIFE
Presented By:
Sharon Robinson-Stokes
and
Tammy Katzenmeier
To give a child a CASA is to give them HOPE.
To give them HOPE is to give them the WORLD.

2. 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”

3. 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

4. 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.

5.  EachYear,  Childrenwho fall
approximately victim to abuse
780,000 children and neglect are
are caught up in often overlooked
the court and child and end up falling
welfare maze. through the cracks
of the complex
child welfare
system.

7.  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

8. Recognizing Abuse
Descriptions
and
Indicators

9.  Unexplained
bruises, welts, and
Intentionally scars
harming a  Injuries in various
child, use of stages of healing
excessive  Bite marks
force,  Unexplained burns
reckless  Fractures
endangerment  Injuries not fitting
explanation
 Internal damage or
Head injury

10.  Age-inappropriate
sexual knowledge
 Sexual acting out
Engaging a  Child disclosure of
abuse
child in an any
 Excessive
activity for an masturbation
adult’s own  Physical injury to
sexual genital area
gratification.  Pregnancy or STD at a
young age
 Torn, stained, or
bloody underclothing
 Depression, distress,
or trauma
 Extreme fear

11.  Habit disorders (thumb
The systematic sucking, biting, rocking,
diminishment of a enuresis)
child. It is designed  Conduct Disorders
to reduce a child’s (withdrawal or
concept to point antisocial behavior)
where the child  Behavior extremes
feels unworthy or  Overly adaptive
respect, friendships, behavior
love, and other  Lags in emotional or
protection, the intellectual
natural birthrights development
of all children.  Low self-esteem
 Depression, suicide
attempts

12.  Physical Signs:
 Malnourishment
 Missed immunizations
Failure of a person  Lack of dental care
responsible for the  Lack of supervision
child’s welfare to  Consistent dirtiness
provide necessary  Constant
tiredness/listlessness
food, care, clothing,
shelter, or medical
attention. Can also  Material Signs:
be failure to act  Insufficient/improper
when such clothing
interferes with a  Filthy living
conditions
child’s health and
 Inadequate shelter
safety.
 Insufficient food/poor
nutrition

13. 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.

14. Only a CASA volunteer CASA’s work one on
is afforded the one with individual
opportunity to make
third party, children to ensure
independent each child’s case is
assessment of each brought to a swift and
case with only the permanent
best interest of the conclusion.
child in mind.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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).

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21.  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.

22.  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.

23.  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.

24. 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.

25. Commit 1 year as a
volunteer
Must pass a criminal
background check
There is no cost to
get involved

26. 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.

27.  Professionalism  Interpersonal & Cultural
 Ethics Competence
 Open-Mindedness
 Accountability
 Respect
 Confidentiality
 Collaboration
 Resourcefulness
 Self-Awareness
 Critical Thinking
 Assertiveness
 Good Judgment
 Flexibility
 Knowledge
 Empathy

28. 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.

29. 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

30. Child 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

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

32. Visions of Hope of Reno County
206 W. 1st St.
Hutchinson, KS 67501
(620) 662-1688
vohinc@hotmail.com
National CASA- Court Appointed Special Advocate Association
http://www.casaforchildren.org