DeKalb County CASA Beacon
October 2024
Program Highlights
End of Summer Kickback Recap!
Our End of Summer Kickback was a blast! The event was held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at Decatur Recreation. Volunteers, interns, board members, and staff came together for a fun-filled day to celebrate the end of the season. Everyone showed off their creativity with their striped outfits, and we kicked off the festivities with games like CASA Bingo and Personal Fun Facts using Skittles (although some couldn't resist snacking on their game pieces!). We also had a lively round of CASA Taboo, where we used our advocate voices instead of gestures to guide the action. The event was capped off with an award ceremony, delicious food, dancing, and lots of laughter. It was the perfect way to wrap up summer!
We Need You
CASA in the Community
Are you part of a community group, club, or church seeking engaging speakers? Would you like insights into the impactful work of the DeKalb County CASA Program and the children we support? Whether virtual, or in-person, our team is available to share our mission with your group. For inquiries, speaker requests, or to learn more, please reach out to Justine Ferreira via email. We're excited to connect with you and share the vital role CASA plays in our community!
Welcome to the Team!
Community News
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Every October, communities across the country come together to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), to shed light on an issue that affects millions of individuals, including children. Domestic violence doesn’t just leave physical scars; its emotional and psychological effects can shape the lives of those involved, particularly children.
At DeKalb County CASA, we witness firsthand the devastating impact domestic violence can have on the children we serve. Many of the children in foster care have experienced or been exposed to domestic violence, which is often a contributing factor to their removal from their homes. Whether they’ve witnessed violence between caregivers or have been victims themselves, these children carry the trauma of living in a volatile, unsafe environment.
Research shows that children exposed to domestic violence are more likely to experience emotional and behavioral challenges, to struggle in school, and to suffer from long-term mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These children need compassionate advocacy and a safe, stable environment where they can begin to heal.
Our CASA volunteers play a critical role and have the power to positively impact their CASA child's life. By standing beside them through their court case, advocating for their best interests, and ensuring their voice is heard, CASAs help provide a sense of security and support in a time of uncertainty. CASA volunteers also play a crucial role in connecting their CASA child with the resources they need to heal. Whether it’s recommending therapy, advocating for a stable home environment, or ensuring the child’s educational and emotional needs are met, CASA volunteers are a vital part of their journey.
This October, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting children and families affected by domestic violence. By raising awareness, educating ourselves, and advocating for policies and services that protect children and families, we can contribute to breaking the cycle of violence in our communities.
HERO HIGHLIGHTS
We are thrilled to announce that Brenda Stills is our October 2024 Volunteer of the Month! Brenda joined DeKalb County CASA in October 2021 after completing her training and being sworn in as a CASA volunteer. Since then, she has taken on two cases, demonstrating unwavering dedication and commitment to the children she serves.
Brenda was nominated for this recognition by her Advocacy Coordinator, Carol Jordan, who shared, “Brenda is a very thorough CASA, both in her reporting and her investigation of cases. She consistently reaches out to me each month to seek advice or provide updates on her cases. Brenda’s reliability shines through in all aspects of her work. She consistently turns in her reports on time, keeps up with hearings and panel reviews, and ensures she completes her required visits with the children, always showing genuine concern for their well-being. She is also highly organized, regularly entering updates into Optima and maintaining detailed case records. In addition to her casework, Brenda is committed to personal growth and attends numerous educational workshops to sharpen her skills as a CASA volunteer."
Please join us in congratulating Brenda Stills for her outstanding work and dedication!
Volunteer Birthdays
Please join us in wishing these outstanding volunteers, who are celebrating Birthdays in October, a fantastic birthday and year ahead!
Damico Edwards - October 4th
Katherine Christmas- October 9th
Lesley Tucker- October 11th
Lindsey Shaw-October 13th
Barbara West-October 13th
Cordero Vigil - October 16th
Samuel Chiles- October 19th
Karen Wilkes- October 20th
Kate Binzen-October 21st
Rahkiya Armstrong-October 22nd
Turkessa Blitch-October 22nd
Pakysha Jackson-October 24th
Happiest of birthdays to you all!
Volunteer Anniversaries
3 Years
Emmaleigh Micale
Brenda Stills
Gregory Wieder
Kim Wurupa
2 Years
Blair Cofield
Karen Colton
Gwendolyn Dean
Kavya Harsh
Konnor Horton
Renita Jackson
Barbara West
Carissa Wetzstein
Thank you all for your unwavering dedication and support. Your commitment and passion have made a profound impact on the lives of the children and families we serve. We are so grateful to have you as part of our DeKalb CASA team. Happy Anniversary!
CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Per National CASA guidelines, all DeKalb County CASA volunteers are expected to fulfill 12 hours of annual continuing education. To meet this requirement, volunteers have the flexibility to engage in various educational opportunities such as conferences, workshops, webinars, reading books, watching relevant movies, and utilizing other educational formats. Topics encompass a wide range, including child welfare, child abuse, neglect, cultural awareness, domestic violence, substance use, mental health, medical conditions, food insecurity, poverty, and more. For further details or assistance in accessing educational resources, please don't hesitate to reach out to Justine Ferreira via email. We're here to support your ongoing learning and development as a CASA or Education Advocate volunteer.
In Services and Online Training Opportunities
DeKalb County CASA Virtual Lunch and Learn
"Preparing for a School Tribunal/Advocating for Students in School Disciplinary Hearings"
Georgia Appleseed
Monday, October 28, 2024, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Join us for a special Virtual Lunch and Learn session with Ms. Brown, from Georgia Appleseed. She will guide participants through the critical steps to advocate for children facing long-term suspension or expulsion from school (more than 10 days).
Ms. Brown will cover essential advocacy actions, including:
- Requesting a Manifestation Meeting: Learn when and how to request this meeting to determine if a child's behavior is linked to a disability, which may impact disciplinary actions.
- Understanding the Child’s Rights: It’s crucial to know what rights the child has during disciplinary proceedings and ensure those rights are upheld.
- Navigating Disciplinary Hearings/Tribunals: Ms. Brown will explain what happens during a hearing or tribunal that takes place before the suspension or expulsion is enforced, and how advocates can support the child during this process.
This informative session is designed to equip our volunteers with the tools they need to protect the educational rights of children we advocate for, especially during these challenging circumstances. Be sure to join us for this important discussion!
Reach out to Justine Ferreira, via email, to register to attend: justine.ferreira@dekalbcasa.org
"Healthy Sexual Development"
The Center for Safe and Healthy Children, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Free, Live Webinar
Tuesday, October 8, 2024, noon-1:30 p.m.
"This webinar offers an overview of healthy sexual development and its significant role in preventing child abuse. In this session, you will learn to recognize when sexual behaviors may be cause for concern and understand how to intervene effectively." Click here to register and learn about other upcoming sessions.
Silence the Shame
Community Wellness Seminar: Managing the Impact of Trauma
Free, Virtual Session
Thursday, October 17, 2024, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.
"This 60-minute seminar will explore trauma-related symptoms, the impact of trauma on daily living, and promote trauma-informed mental and physical wellness strategies." Click here to register.
Josette Franklin, EPAC Education Quality Specialist with the Division of Family and Children Services
"Best Practices When Advocating for Youth During the Special Education Process"
October 23, 2024, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
"This training will provide a comprehensive overview of Special Education, focusing on key aspects to support youth in foster care. Topics will include IDEA protections, aspects of Child Find, the evaluation process, effective strategies for advocacy, and the educational acronyms and the protections they provide (IDEA, BIP, MDR, GAA, IEP)." Click here to register.
"Mandated Reporter Training"
Prevent Child Abuse Georgia
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Free, Virtual Training
Child serving professionals and volunteers may suspect child abuse or have a child disclose abuse to them through their work with children. However, barriers such as fear of reporting, the inability to recognize all forms of child maltreatment, and vague organizational policies may prevent professionals from making a report of child maltreatment. Participants will learn to:
- Understand how the laws around mandated reporting affect you
- Recognize factors associated with abuse and neglect prevention
- Define types of abuse and related indicators
- Describe the process for handling a disclosure of abuse
- Follow the basic procedure for reporting suspected child abuse
- Discern between the community’s role to support family wellbeing and DFCSs’ role to investigate suspected abuse and neglect
Click here to register.
"Growing Social and Emotional Competence in Children"
Prevent Child Abuse Georgia
Thursday, October 24, 2024, 10:00-12:00 a.m.
Free, Virtual Training
This Strengthening Families Georgia workshop focuses on how to promote social and emotional competence in children through meaningful interactions with families. Participants will:
- Discuss how parents and caregivers can promote the key elements of social and emotional competence of children (trust and attachment, autonomy/independence, emotional regulation and self-control, relationships with others, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and self-confidence, persistence and resilience).
- Review the importance of attachment in developing social and emotional competence in children and discuss what they can say to parents to nurture and strengthen secure attachments with their children.
- Discuss differences between inappropriate and more developmentally appropriate interactions in the “Another Way to Do It” activity.
- Identify how their program’s everyday actions currently build and could further build social and emotional competence of children.
Click here to register.
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Stephanie V. Blank Center
On Demand Webinar Series
Free, virtual training
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Stephanie V. Blank Center offers several free, on-demand, virtual training opportunities that you can do at your own pace. The current sessions include:
Child Protection On-Demand Series
- Mandated Reporting
Child Trafficking On-Demand Series:
- The Fundamentals of Child Sex Trafficking
- The Medical Evaluation of Victims of Child Sex Trafficking
- Moving Forward After Victimization: Helping Victims to Survive and Thrive
Learn more about each session and register by clicking here.
All Children-All Families: Online Learning Archive
Free, virtual training events
This archive provides a wide variety of recorded online sessions covering best practices in serving LGBTQ+ children, youth and families. Some topics covered include:
- Introduction to LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency
- Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ+ Youth
- How You Can Make a Difference - Panel Discussion with LGBTQ+ Foster Care Alumni
- Advocating for LGBTQ+ Youth with Disabilities: Supporting LGBTQ+ students with an IEP or 504
- And, more....
- Click here to view recordings and register for live sessions.
Conferences
Tapestri's 5th Annual Domestic Violence Forum
Friday, October 18, 2024, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Conference Center, 495 Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston, GA 30021
$20, includes lunch
Mark your calendars for an important forum where experts, survivors, and community members will come together to discuss the impact of domestic violence and explore ways to create a safer, more supportive environment for all. This is a valuable opportunity to learn, connect, and be part of meaningful change. Click here to learn more and to register.
The Summit: Georgia’s Child Welfare Conference
December 4-6, 2024
Alpharetta Conference Center at The Hotel at Avalon
The sixth annual Summit is a statewide, multi-disciplinary program offering comprehensive training on a wide array of child welfare topics as well as the opportunity to connect with all professionals who serve children and families involved in the child welfare systems, including DFCS staff, judges, attorneys, CASA, foster placements, service providers, educators, law enforcement, policy makers, and more. Click here to learn more and to register.
Reading
"No Visible Bruises: What we don't know about Domestic Violence can Kill Us" by Rachel Louise Snyder
In No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us, journalist Rachel Louise Snyder delivers a powerful and deeply researched exploration of domestic violence in America. Snyder weaves together personal stories of survivors, advocates, law enforcement, and abusers to shed light on the often hidden but deadly realities of domestic violence.
The book dismantles the myths surrounding abuse, challenging common assumptions like "Why didn’t they just leave?" and revealing the complex, often dangerous circumstances that keep victims trapped in abusive relationships. Snyder also highlights the social, legal, and systemic failures that perpetuate the cycle of violence.
Through gripping narratives and thorough research, Snyder demonstrates how domestic violence affects not only individuals but entire communities. For CASA volunteers, No Visible Bruises offers crucial insights into the dynamics of abuse, making it an essential read for those seeking to understand the profound impact of domestic violence on the children and families we serve.
The book can be found at the library and wherever books are sold.
"Grief is a Mess" by Jackie Schuld
Recommended by Kate's Club, all ages
Grief is a Mess by Jackie Schuld offers a candid, heartfelt look at the complexities of grief. Through simple, engaging illustrations and honest reflections, the book acknowledges that grief is often overwhelming, unpredictable, and, as the title suggests, messy.
Schuld’s approach is refreshingly relatable, as she doesn’t shy away from the emotional chaos and confusion that can accompany loss. Instead, she provides readers with gentle reminders that it’s okay to feel lost, angry, or even laugh in moments of sorrow. The book emphasizes that there’s no “right” way to grieve, offering comfort to those who may feel isolated or unsure in their mourning process.
This thoughtful, compassionate book is a great resource for CASA volunteers who work with children and families dealing with loss and trauma. Grief is a Mess serves as a reminder that grief is a personal journey, and it provides a supportive space for anyone trying to navigate their way through it.
This book can be found wherever books are sold.
A Word from Our Staff
The Power of Intervening as CASA Volunteer
by Stacia Emmett, Advocacy Coordinator
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteers are appointed by a judge to intervene on a child’s behalf. Intervention can involve the child’s mental and physical wellness, safety, education, or the child’s desire that is within their best interest. This can be displayed as connecting and consistently following up with agencies and associated case collaterals, to ensure the child receives the support that is beneficial to them. Intervention can also consist of highlighting issues, concerns, and the child’s desires in court reports. Additionally, intervention can include verbally advocating CASA recommendations during court proceedings. The voice of a child is heard through the power of their CASA Volunteer’s intervention.
Ways You Can Help
United Way Payroll Deduction
Ask your employer about the United Way payroll deduction option.
Kroger Community Rewards
Angel Wings Project
The Angel Wings project aims to provide essential supplies, uniforms, and other necessary items to children we serve, enabling them to participate in extracurricular and enrichment activities. To request assistance through the Angel Wings project, please obtain the request forms from DeKalb County CASA Program staff via email at dekalbcasa@dekalbcasa.org. These forms must be completed by a referring source and include the child’s name, age, gender, grade, and specific needs, along with the contact information of the individual making the referral. Once completed, please return the form either by mail to P.O. Box 768, Avondale Estates, GA 30002, or via email. Our team will ensure that the information is passed on to a member of our Angel Wings Crew for fulfillment, if possible.
Operations at DeKalb CASA
We want to update you on our current operational status. The DeKalb County CASA Program staff will continue to primarily operate virtually and remotely but will be in the office as well. Rest assured, all DeKalb County CASA staff members remain available and accessible via their direct email addresses. You can find the email addresses of our staff listed on our website or by clicking the link provided at the bottom of this newsletter.
Our Advocacy Coordinators are committed to maintaining their support for volunteers and cases. They will continue to meet with volunteers through virtual platforms, collaborate with case teams, and diligently work on all assigned cases to ensure the best outcomes for the children we serve.
Additionally, our volunteer recruitment efforts remain ongoing. We will continue to host Volunteer Information Sessions, conduct interviews, and provide training sessions virtually throughout 2024. If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming a CASA volunteer, please encourage them to reach out to us.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we navigate these challenging times together. Your commitment to our mission is truly appreciated.
Board of Directors
- Alecea Quintyne, Chair
- Norman Pitts, Vice-Chair
- Ketiwe Zipperer, Secretary
- Tara Daniels, Executive Director
- Tabitha Carney, Member
- Jill Davis, Member
- Freda Hammonds, Member
- Christian Mitchell Murphy, Member
- Dr. Jeanne D. Williams
Connect with Staff
Email: dekalbcasa@dekalbcasa.org
Website: www.dekalbcasa.org
Location: 4309 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA, USA
Phone: 404 378 0038
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dekalbCASAGA/
The DeKalb County CASA Program operates under the umbrella of the Child Advocate Network, Incorporated as a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We are members of the National CASA Association, Incorporated and an affiliate of Georgia CASA, Incorporated. Our mission is to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the juvenile court. As a CASA Volunteer, you seek to assure safe and permanent homes for each child as quickly as possible. DeKalb County CASA accomplishes this mission by training and supporting citizen volunteers who serve as advocates for individual children while maintaining proper ethical behavior, respect, and confidentiality.