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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • STAFF
    • BOARD
    • BOARD CORNER
    • ANNUAL REPORT
    • COMMITMENT TO RACIAL EQUITY
    • NEWSLETTER
    • VIDEO
    • Employment Opportunities
    • FINANCIALS
  • Donate
    • DONATE ONLINE
    • LET A KID BE A KID
    • SCHOLARSHIP FUND
    • HOLIDAY WISHLISTS
  • VOLUNTEER
  • ENGAGE
    • EVENTS
    • SHOP
    • COMMUNITIES FOR CASA
  • CASA CORNER
  • BLOG
  • VISITATION CENTER
  • CONTINUING EDUCATION
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From the heart - You'll forever be my casa

2/18/2021

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You'll forever be my casa

​I began working as an Advocacy Coordinator for Savannah CASA in August 2020. As a newbie, I received current cases from my colleagues that would help me learn about many aspects of my new role.  One of those cases was a 17-year-old young lady on the cusp of aging out of foster care named Jasmine*.

To learn more about the case, I met with Jasmine’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Saundra Poole, a deeply dedicated volunteer of nearly 4 years. Saundra provided me with important case-related information documenting Jasmine’s time in foster care which began when she was fourteen years old. I listened in awe as Saundra discussed this young lady’s journey with such passion and detail.  It was as if she’d known her all of her life - her likes, dislikes, areas of emotional vulnerability, and her hopes for the future.   During our conversation, I saw firsthand Saundra’s dedication and professionalism. As a past Savannah CASA intern and in my work as a Mental Health Counselor for 5 years, I had a basic understanding of the role of a CASA, but never before did I fully understand the extraordinary support that a CASA can provide in the life of a vulnerable child.  At 17 years old, Jasmine was at an important junction to begin the transition into the adult world and Saundra was there at hand helping to guide her along this uncertain path.  That day, I came to understand the true impact of a CASA volunteer.
​Jasmine’s Decision. The transitional roundtable was my first-time meeting Jasmine.  She entered the discussion via Zoom due to COVID restrictions.  From the moment Jasmine spoke, she exuded love for her CASA. Her face lit up and she smiled ear to ear when speaking to Saundra. It was clear that she knew she had an advocate and friend in the room.
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Over the course of the hour meeting, Jasmine made the crucial decision to sign herself out of foster care.  While we were disappointed, no one was surprised. Most young adults experiencing foster care are eager to gain what they perceive as new freedoms.  However, her decision to return home to her mother was a concern for those of us who knew their history of conflict.  We presented our opinions that this wasn’t the best course of action but, ultimately, the decision was Jasmine’s to make.  It can be difficult as a CASA volunteer and staff member to watch young people make decisions that are contrary to their best interests. But we were careful to continue to demonstrate support and compassion for her.
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Saundra Poole receiving a CASA award for the most hours volunteered 2019.
More Instability - Except for CASA. Over the course of the next four months, Jasmine moved between the homes of four family members.  My heart ached because Jasmine was once again experiencing an unstable living situation.  But there remained one very bright light in Jasmine’s life - the durability and consistency of her relationship with her committed CASA volunteer, Saundra.   

Despite Jasmine’s case being closed in the court system, her relationship with Saundra continues today. Jasmine turns to Saundra whenever she is in distress.  She reaches out whenever she needs advice on how to maneuver life’s challenges. Over the course of three years, Jasmine and Saundra built a strong and caring relationship. Saundra stood out in Jasmine’s life as a reliable voice of support.  For Jasmine, Saundra was no longer her foster care advocate, she is her beloved Godmother.
​*name changed due to confidentiality

About the author - Ja'Nae  Brown

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Ja'Nae Brown is an Advocacy Coordinator for Savannah/Chatham CASA. Ja'Nae joined the team in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic but that didn't slow her down one bit.  Prior to joining our team, she was a Professional Social Service Worker with the Department of Juvenile Justice. She interned with Savannah CASA in 2011 when pursuing her undergraduate degree. A Savannah native, she received her Bachelors in Social Work from Savannah State University and her Masters in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. She is the mother of two gorgeous kiddos, Zion and Essence. 
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From the heart - the  difference  one  casa  can  make

1/18/2021

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a casa changes a child's story

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Pam Cole Grimes (middle left) with CASA staff for Volunteer Appreciation Surprise Visits.
Pam Cole Grimes took her oath to be a CASA volunteer over 2 years ago. From the start, she was committed to helping children in foster care have a passionate defender who will ensure that their best interests are kept front and center during this tumultuous time. When I first met Pam, she was a CASA supporting the children of three families.  In December, Pam achieved the best of all outcomes – permanency for three siblings.  This is the story that I’d like to share.

Watchful Eyes for the Child’s Well-Being 
When I joined CASA in 2019, Pam was already deeply engaged in helping three siblings find their forever home. The parents’ substance use disorder had triggered the children’s entry into the foster care system.  As befitting a CASA, Pam rose to the challenge to be a go-between the case manager, the parents, various schools, medical providers, and attorneys. Pam started tracking the children’s progress so that they would stay on course with their childhood developmental accomplishments. She stepped in when they fell off track and offered recommended corrections.  Importantly, Pam ensured that the foster parents and DFCS (Department of Family and Child Services) consistently met the children’s needs. 
The children’s parents lived separately in two different states and each had their own court-ordered case plans to regain custody. To the father’s credit, he progressed towards the compliance of his goals more rapidly and eventually regained custody of the oldest child, with conditions. This court plan gave the father an opportunity to demonstrate his ability to care for one child before entrusting the other two siblings to his care. Pam provided guidance and encouragement to the father to accomplish his goals. Despite that in 2020 Pam’s work was constrained by the COVID pandemic, she persisted by continuing socially-distanced, in-person visits to assure the father was taking good care of his eldest child.  

Unfortunately, then came red flags. Pam was on hand to notice the lapses, prompting her and the case manager to address these significant concerns. Though reunification is always the ultimate goal, in this case Pam documented and reported that the father’s situation was deteriorating.

A CASA Volunteer Can Turn a Child’s Story Around
During these long months, Pam had never given up on the mother to have her accomplish her case plan goals to be reunited with the children as well. The mother first demonstrated she was on the road to success by completing her substance use disorder treatment program. She met with her children regularly. She obtained stable housing and gainful employment. Pam made trips out of state to meet with the mother in order to document her improving circumstances, not letting preconceived opinions interfere with increasingly positive observations. Pam ensured that the courts and all parties had records and photographs to inform the court of the mother’s progress. Pam’s efforts prompted a turnaround in the children’s circumstance. At the next hearing, the Judge accepted Pam’s recommendation and returned custody of all three siblings to their mother.

Dedication of Our CASA Volunteers
To change a child’s story, we need strong CASA advocates who recognize and document when a child’s life circumstances alter. With eyes and ears on the ground, a CASA’s recommendations can adroitly shift to recognize an evolving situation. As Pam demonstrated so forcefully, CASAs play this crucial role, of speaking up – sometimes as a lone voice – to advocate for the child’s best interest.  With this support, the children become stronger and persevere to overcome the trajectory of their initial story.  

Remember, a CASA is the voice for the child. We integrate ourselves into a child’s case, chronicle the minute details of their lives and stand up to be heard. In Pam’s case, the three children eventually were reunified with their mother and today they are thriving and happy. Pam stays in touch, further strengthening the bond that formed over time. Even though 2020 presented barriers unlike any we could have imagined, Pam found creative ways to help the three siblings settle into their permanent home.

Our CASAs work tirelessly to support over 375 children who live in foster care. Today, Pam is again displaying her dedication to help another child find a permanent home - this time with her grandparents. Again, we rejoice, she’s almost there!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR - SHARON NEWMAN

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Sharon Newman is an advocacy coordinator with a specialty in older youth in foster care. She joined the CASA team a year ago after seven years as a case manager in the foster care division of Chatham County Department of Child and Family Services as well as experience as a substance use counselor and probation officer. Sharon has her BA in Criminal Justice from North Carolina Central University. She and her husband, James, are the proud parents of two beautiful and accomplished grown daughters, Taylor and Bridgette. 
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From the heart - fighting  for  tanya

12/18/2020

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FIGHTING FOR TANYA

PictureAmy Potter signing her oath to become a CASA volunteer with Judge LeRoy Burke.
Painstaking Steps to Support Every Child.  Earlier this year, a committed CASA volunteer, Amy Potter, came to me with concerns of neglect in a foster home.  Naturally, we sprang into action. Of course, “springing into action" looks different in our minds than in reality, especially in the bureaucratic world of child welfare. Setting up the support systems to help a child newly entering foster care requires a series of small, thoughtful, and calculated steps. It requires great consideration given to the many moving parts while always keeping the child in the center of our decisions.  This process leaves you wanting to scream “how isn't anyone else going crazy over this??!!"
 
We are. Much of the work that takes place behind the scene to help a child hinges on patience - waiting for calls backs, locating open homes, and lots of paperwork.  After countless contacts, written reports, and investigations coupled with sleepless nights and a few tears, a child is finally housed somewhere safe. And yet there are still no guarantees of success. At CASA, we can only hope that our efforts facilitate a placement that gives the child a safe and healthy foster home. Our CASA volunteers help to promote success by speaking with the family who is expecting the child into their home. They talk about the challenges that may arise, join in with excitement and nervousness and, above all, share mutual hope for the child’s wellbeing. ​

Tanya’s Unsettled Journey. “Tanya” had been living in a neglectful foster home for over a year and she needed a more loving and supportive placement. Amy and I were discouraged by others who work in this complex system because they felt the battle to remove her would be too difficult. But we pressed on for Tanya’s sake.  Despite all odds, we were successful in overcoming enough obstacles to have Tanya moved into a new home with first-time foster parents - brimming with optimism and love.  Tanya was praised, given room to express herself and, importantly, given boundaries.  Her grades improved and a closeness began to form with the family. Tanya was thriving.  
 
Still we, along with her foster family, were pleading for counseling services for this vulnerable child.  Time went by and soon Tanya’s underlying trauma began to express.  The foster family needed services to help her, but the support was insufficient.  Each incident prompted us to urge the Department of Family and Child Services (DFCS) to intervene.  But in a system strained by too much work for too few caseworkers, the help didn’t come fast enough. 
 
Tanya’s outbursts became physical and she endangered herself and others in the home.  An altercation during the heat of a particularly bad episode spurred DFCS to move Tanya – again – into a new foster home after barely a month. 
 
What is Success for a Child in Foster Care.  It is nearly impossible to know the outcome of a child’s story while still in the middle. We hope, pray, and work towards a stable, loving, and peaceful home where a child feels safe and the foster family can meet her or his needs. Tanya’s second foster family provided her with more stability in that brief month than she had known in her nine years but they were not provided with the tools to be successful.
 
The child welfare system is overburdened and underfunded. It can be incredibly discouraging to do this work when you are faced with what appear to be unsurmountable obstacles. Our CASA volunteers are passionate and committed individuals who do not give up because they believe deeply that children in foster care deserve the very best. When Amy and I talked over Tanya’s wellbeing after the latest transition between foster homes, she was despondent, thinking she had failed Tanya in some way. She feared that removing her from the initial foster home, then into another and now, yet another caused further trauma. As Amy’s coordinator, I expressed the positive difference she made by fighting for Tanya and removing her from harmful circumstances.
 
​The difficult part of what we do as CASA staff and volunteers, is that we cannot predict a child’s future. With our most earnest efforts combined with experience, we make decisions with the information at hand and go from there. Tanya’s story didn't have the happy ending we had hoped for, or did it?
​Thanks to the relentless work of Tanya’s CASA volunteer, she is no longer subject to the withholding of love as in her initial foster placement.  Amy gave Tanya the gift of opportunity.  The opportunity for her to create some really beautiful memories and to experience what it is like to feel safe, praised, loved and to just be a kid - even for a short time in her young life.  Tanya was shown, perhaps for the very first time, that an adult will fight for her safety and that she is worthy of those opportunities. And Amy is not done fighting for her.
 
Fighting for Change. While we fight to improve the outcomes of every single child currently in foster care, we must also fight to change the system so it better serves our children. You can help to improve the outcomes of children in foster care by advocating with your State and Federal elected officials. National CASA provides some incredible resources to do so. 
Learn more today.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR - SUSAN  RYNCAVAGE

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Susan Ryncavage is the Lead Advocacy Coordinator. She serves as the CASA liaison to the Juvenile Court's Family Treatment Court which is a highly intensive program for parents with substance use disorder. Susan has been with CASA for a year but it's her second go around. Prior to having her amazing and creative son, Eli, she worked with Savannah CASA for seven years. 
She has her Bachelors in Social Work from Savannah State University. 
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FROM THE HEART - THe taylor SIblings' STORY

11/22/2020

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The Taylor Siblings

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Advocacy Coordinator, Maggie Smith, with Eula Parker, our 2020 CASA Volunteer of the Year
When Eula Parker signed up to be CASA volunteer, she had no idea what to expect.  She knew she had a heart for children and wanted to make a difference, but wasn’t sure how she could help a child in foster care. After her training, Eula eagerly sat down with her advocacy coordinator who announced, “I have just the case for you - four children in three different counties…oh, by the way, the case has been going on for four years!” With mixed feelings, Eula took on the complex case. She was nervous about the daunting tasks ahead to help siblings who had been through so much. Yet Eula was hopeful that she could help move them into safe, loving, and permanent homes.
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The Introduction. One by one, Eula met the Taylor* siblings who she came to know as amazing, kind, funny, sweet and resilient. She began the step by step process of building relationships - with each child, their foster parents, the case managers, attorneys, and all who were part of the children’s lives. Her goal was to become an expert on their placements, as well their medical, educational and emotional histories. Due to various complicated reasons, their biological parents’ rights had been terminated by the court and so the children were now eligible for adoption. So, when Eula’s first court appearance arrived, Eula was ready to fight for permanent families for all four children.  

​The children were anxious for a permanent home, too.  After being in a placement for more than two years, the oldest, 12-year-old Antonia*, felt the disorientation most acutely.   On the day of the court hearing, Eula did a wonderful job of capturing the children’s voices in her advocacy and all felt the hearing went well – all except for Antonia. Outside the courtroom, Eula was shocked to find Antonia in tears on a bench.  Antonia was devastated because she thought she would be adopted that day.  When it didn’t happen, the happy and well-adjusted girl collapsed as her bottled-up feelings came pouring out.

The Urgency. This interaction brought on a new sense of urgency for Eula. She dove deeper into her advocacy, partnering with the case managers to gather documents, speaking with the various foster families to understand their intentions about adoption, and, all the while, continuing to develop relationships with the children so they knew they could count on her. 
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While keeping siblings together in the same home is always a priority, sometimes, for a variety of reasons, it is in their best interests to be adopted separately. This was the case for the Taylor children which made everything that much more difficult. Eula and the key stakeholders needed to find three adoptive families that would prioritize the sibling bond while also addressing the high levels of trauma experienced by the children. ​
The Success. A year into the case, Eula started to get some breakthroughs. First, Antonia and her brother, Michael*, were adopted by their foster family. Six months later, DeShawn* was adopted.  As of today, Eula is still hard at work to stabilize Antonia’s younger sister, Ebony* – an especially hard situation. Ebony has been moved yet again, but this time to a family that may adopt her.   
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Over the course of two years, Antonia has come to know and trust Eula. She still calls her about worries, mostly her concerns for Ebony. Eula remains a close friend and most importantly, her family’s advocate. It is because of Eula’s tenacity and dedication that three of the four children are in their forever homes. And we are confident Ebony will not be far behind. In our community there are 153 tireless advocates like Eula who do the hard work to lift tearful children like Antonia off the courtroom benches every day. Will you become a CASA volunteer and change change a child’s story just like Eula?
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​*names changed due to confidentiality
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Adoption day for Antonia & Michael

ABOUT THE AUTHOR - MAGGIE SMITH

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Maggie Smith is an Advocacy Coordinator for Savannah/Chatham CASA. Maggie joined the team in 2018 and currently manages 30 volunteers. Maggie is a graduate of Georgia Southern University with a Bachelors in Child and Family Development. She is the proud mother of the sweetest dog, EV. 
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From the heart - Tapica's story

10/16/2020

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tapica's story

The word came down from the caseworker that one of our children was on the run.  A teenage girl, "Tapica", (name changed for privacy), had left her group home.  The home has the well-deserved reputation where children in foster care can have a brighter future. But all that support wasn’t enough.

The Fight for Survival. Tapica’s instincts for survival had kicked in with a fury.  Tapica wanted to be with people she loved and living in a group home with 10 to 15 girls who had also experienced abuse or neglect felt as traumatizing as being in a disruptive home. Her Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Maya Vereen, and I were working on solutions to get her closer to family, but the COVID pandemic delayed progress and the idle time weighed on her. There were nights we couldn’t sleep with worry.  
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Maya Vereen, Tapica's CASA volunteer
Maya was the first to discover Tapica had left with a stranger she met on the internet. Tapica called to say that she was okay but wouldn’t give the location. She said she was safe, but our instincts of working with young people told us better.  What else could we find out?  Every time she called, we held on to every word listening for some clues of her location before she would quickly hang up. Days passed by and the calls stopped.  Maya and I were in a panic like no other time.  We were helpless.  Tapica was a young and hurt soul, wanting to be loved just like everyone else. But we knew that like many runaway girls, Tapica could end up in a tragic situation beyond her control. ​

She's Out There. 
Another week passed and still no word.  I took the day off to celebrate my birthday and while I was sitting quietly watching television, my 6-year-old son pointed out the window at his mother saying “she’s out there, daddy.” But all I could think about was Tapica being out there. When I walked out to my balcony to get fresh air, my phone vibrated with a message stating Tapica wanted to return home. My face lit up like fireworks. ​​
Tapica texted us that she didn’t know her location but that it was likely another state.  She texted for another 20 minutes sharing that she did not want to get into trouble and end up in the juvenile detention center. We explained the process of her returning home and to safety. We gave her the hope and security that she needed. 
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Safety at Last. Her next text was a picture of the car tag belonging to the man.  My hands were shaking as I knew this was the key to getting her back.   We sent the photo to her caseworker. Within 30 minutes, Tapica was safe and in the custody of the State Patrol.  We soon learned that our suspicions were right – Tapica, a 15-year-old, had spent the last month driving around with a 38-year-old man who had charges of child molestation.  

Once Tapica was safe, she shared her story.  The man tricked her into believing he knew her family. She wanted to go home and he exploited that. When I spoke to Tapica next, my words to her were simple and crisp.  “Anything could have happened to you.  You cannot put yourself in that kind of danger again.”  She took a deep breath, holding the phone quietly. 
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The image Tapica sent that helped us to find her.
​She spoke softly with such sincerity, “I’m sorry for leaving and I know I messed up.  That’s why I called.  I called because I knew you all really cared about me, and not because it’s a job.” 

​Tapica is safe today because caring adults – her CASA volunteer, CASA staff, and DFCS case manager – fought for her. We worked together to get her out of the dangerous situation.
​Every child deserves to have someone fighting for them. ​
I’m sorry for leaving and I know I messed up.  That’s why I called.  I called because I knew you all really cared about me, and not because it’s a job."
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About the author - tim wright

Tim Wright is an Advocacy Coordinator for Savannah/Chatham CASA. Tim joined the team last year and currently manages 30 volunteers. Prior to his role at CASA, he was a probation officer with the Department of Juvenile Justice is Macon. He has Bachelors in History with a minor in African American Studies and Philosophy from Valdosta State University. As a talented painter, playwright, and actor, Tim is easily the most creative on the team. When he isn't showing his creative side or helping with virtual schooling, he is chasing Spiderman aka Matthew, his six year old son. 
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From the heart - olivia's story

9/10/2020

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​Launching our new blog series “From the Heart,” each month one of our staff will offer insights on their experiences advocating for children experiencing foster care. 

OLIVIA's story

 Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) performs a crucial role in the life of a child in foster care.  Their sole responsibility is to speak on behalf of the child – to grasp the complex and evolving details of a case and then advocate for the path of permanency in the child’s best interest. Each CASA volunteer spends long hours under difficult circumstances to understand strengths and weaknesses of those who comprise the web of people impacting the child. The CASA is part researcher, part social scientist who aims to perceive their own, and others’ biases that may cloud judgement influencing the welfare of the child.  Here is Olivia’s story, illustrating these intersecting elements leading to a heart-warming outcome…
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Mary Jones
​CASA Volunteer
One CASA’s Challenge.  Over 3 years ago, Mary Jones, a CASA volunteer, was assigned to a 1-year-old “Olivia”, (name changed for privacy).  Olivia had been in foster care her whole young life.  Her mother had a substance use disorder as well as mental health conditions.  At the time of her birth, her father was not able to care for her but after a three year absence, he connected with Mary and shared that he felt ready to care for Olivia.  Due to his long absence, Mary understandably weary of his commitment to reunite with his daughter.  At the same time, Mary was aware that Olivia had been shuttled between seven foster homes throughout her young life and unsurprisingly, this uncertainty manifested in negative behavior.  Even with counseling, Olivia was struggling - so sad for a young child to be further traumatized by a life of upheaval.
Building on Strengths.  Mary inserted herself to speak up for Olivia’s best interests both behind the scenes with DFCS and in the courtroom.  Foster care was having a deleterious impact on Olivia and Mary knew that change was crucial.  What was the best for Olivia?  Through conversations and building trust, Mary came to understand an unexpected path for Olivia’s stability. Though the father lived out of state, Mary confirmed his ability and sincerity to support his daughter.  Mary became not only a strong advocate for Olivia, but also an encouraging and compassionate supporter of her father. By going the extra hundred miles, Mary secured necessary documentation that Olivia’s father was in the process of building a stable and loving home. People change.
A Joyful Outcome.  In August 2020, at her most recent court hearing, Mary detailed the consequences of Olivia’s life in foster placements.  She then outlined the father’s expressed desire to be part of Olivia’s life and his improving circumstances. Within this context, Mary advocated that reunification with her father was Olivia’s best path forward. Well, that day in court was a great victory for Olivia. The Judge granted reunification and when the father arrived the next day to pick her up, Olivia had the biggest smile on her face.  A smile that Mary had not seen in a long, long time. Olivia and her father continue to send photos to Mary. Our favorite picture is where Olivia hugs her brother for the first time. 
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The extraordinary dedication shown by Olivia’s CASA volunteer, Mary Jones, perfectly displays the heart of this volunteer work. But Mary is more than just a “volunteer”… she is a passionate and selfless professional who each day we honor for changing Olivia's story. ​
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About the author - mandy roberts

Mandy Roberts is the Advocacy Program Manager for Savannah/Chatham CASA. Mandy has been with the organization since 2015. Prior to her role at CASA, she was a case manager at the Department of Family and Children Services. She has her Bachelors in Social Work from Middle Tennessee State University. When she isn't supporting her team and volunteers, she can be found walking with her fur baby, Braylee or enjoying a beach. 

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business as usual?!

7/27/2020

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“2020 certainly had something in store for us, but it’s not quite what we imagined,” states Kate Blair, executive director. COVID-19 has altered how we conduct business, interact socially, travel, and much more. Although how we advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect has changed, it has not ceased. Fortunately, our staff, volunteers, and community partners have risen to the occasion to virtually advocate and continually fight for the best interests of children in foster care. As a result of these changes we have become masters at the art of zoom, held the first completely virtual volunteer training, and even polished up our Google suite knowledge to better support our volunteers and the mission of the organization.
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CASA volunteers- the real superheroes- have held countless phone calls, video chats, and conferences to their children, parents, foster caregivers, attorneys, and more to ensure the children’s needs are being met during this pandemic. So far volunteers have logged over 2,675 hours since January 2020, with a value of $53,000. Although many business operations have shifted or ceased, the work of Savannah/Chatham CASA has not. Our progress is attributed to dedicated community volunteers who serve as Court Appointed Special Advocates for our most vulnerable population, children who have experience abuse or neglect.

​Please take a look at our progress and see what else we’ve been up to:
  • We added an AmeriCorps VISTA position filled by Hollyn Green. She has brought a wealth of experience and knowledge to our team. While having to learn our systems virtually, Hollyn recruited and interviewed enough prospective volunteers to fill two new training classes - - during a pandemic! 
 
  • We’ve hosted two summer interns, Talia Gallo and Shannon Pickett. They have added so much value to our organization while working remotely in different cities. Talia focuses on policy and communications while Shannon is working closely with coordinators and volunteers to implement new systems. 

  • Our CASA trainer, Eric Hornfeld, facilitated our first fully-online Pre-Service Training. The reviews are in - he did an amazing job and we were able to swear in 17 new CASA volunteers! He will begin the second virtual training in August.

  • Our advocacy coordinators, Susan Ryncavage, Tim Wright, Sharon Newman, and Maggie Smith, led by our Advocacy Program Manager, Mandy Roberts, shifted quickly to equip their volunteers to move to virtual advocacy. From learning new communication platforms to advocating for virtual hearings - all while attempting to minimize the cameos of their little ones (furry or human) in their Zoom calls! 

  • Our development and communications coordinator, Kayla Williams, is like Ross and Rachel on Friends trying to get the couch up the stairs - PIVOT! PIVOT! PIVOT! From ramping up individual giving to figuring out how to continue with our signature event, Dancing with Savannah Stars while still finding time to be creative through jewelry making. Did you see her on the cover of Connect Savannah? 

  • Our administrative assistant, Teresa MacBride, has the big job of keeping us all in line - virtually. I don’t know how she does it, but I am sure glad she does. 

  • Our staff continues to work at home for the foreseeable future. DFCS has restricted access to the building to limit the spread of COVID-19 and the Juvenile Court continues to host virtual hearings. 

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IN  SOLIDARITY

6/3/2020

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To our fellow community members, please know that during this time of mourning, anger and frustration, erupting due to the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and countless others,  Savannah/Chatham CASA stands with our black staff, volunteers, families and children. We are deeply saddened by the continuation of violence against the black community and we demand justice for all who have experienced harm. 

Speaking out against injustice aligns with the mission of CASA.  We cannot properly advocate for our children if we do not understand the long history of structural and institutionalized racism that has resulted in a disproportionate number of black families within the child welfare system.  In addition, research shows that black families experience higher rates of poverty, have less access to healthcare and mental health resources, and suffer from higher levels of generational and societal trauma.  These cumulative hindrances impact the family unit, leading towards stress, abuse, and neglect.

In Chatham County, 65% of those in foster care are black, despite only 47% of our population being black.

We stand shoulder to shoulder with those who were able to show their solidarity at Sunday’s demonstration to demand better for our community.  We are encouraged by Mayor Johnson’s initiative to create an equity taskforce. We at Savannah/Chatham CASA will follow his lead and ensure that we are addressing inequities in our sphere of influence as well. 

To do our part, our organization is committed to:
  1. Acknowledging and correcting our own racial bias
  2. Calling out racial bias within and outside our organization
  3. Committing ourselves to understand the history of institutionalized racism within the child welfare system
  4. Acknowledging the trauma experienced by people of color
  5. Advocating to better the child welfare system in order to improve the experiences of families of color
  6. Ensuring that our staff, volunteers, board members, and all who implement the CASA mission reflect the diversity of the community of Savannah

Our actions are long overdue. Savannah/Chatham CASA will not stop until EVERY child who has experienced abuse or neglect is given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.

To see the full list of the CASA team who has signed this pledge, visit our page: Commitment to Racial Equity
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Savannah/chatham  casa covid-19 response

4/17/2020

3 Comments

 
During these uncertain times, Savannah/Chatham CASA is taking every precaution to assist in flattening the curve of the Coronavirus. Our organization serves a population which consists of children, volunteers, and foster families who may be at risk due to age, health concerns, etc. For this reason, we have taken the following precautions until further notice:
  1. All staff are working remotely.
  2. All physical child visits are suspended. Volunteers have been asked to increase other types of contact such as phone calls and video conferencing to ensure the well-being of our children.
  3. All non-emergency meetings are suspended. Staff will continue to provide support for any meetings that are necessary to ensure the well-being of children in foster care such as emergency hearings, emergency child visits, etc.
The Georgia Department of Health, the Supreme Court of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Education have issued updates.
Please remember that many of the families in our community will be hit hard by the impact of the Coronavirus. Things such as reduced work hours, lay-offs, increased medical expenses, lack of child care, and much more will make 2020 a very difficult year for many working hard to be reunified with their children. Please consider providing support to families in crisis by supporting organizations that are providing needed services such as soup kitchens, food pantries, child care providers, housing assistance providers, etc. Join the 
Be the Good- Savannah Facebook page to stay apprised of community needs.

Please join with the Savannah/Chatham CASA staff and practice social distancing. This is not only encouraged for your well-being but for the well-being of those more vulnerable around you.

Let's resist fear and promote love. We are in this together.

Kate Blair, Executive Director


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10 things To Do During A Quarantine

3/23/2020

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.As the world faces the pandemic of COVID-19 many communities are exercising social distancing and find themselves isolated at home, away from peers, friends, work, school, and recreational activities. Here are a few suggestions from Savannah/Chatham CASA that encourage wellness and community connections while socially distant during the coronavirus crisis.
 
1.Become a CASA
Sign up to learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer by visiting www.savannahcasa.org/learnmore.
2.Virtual Hangout
​
Use Skype, Facetime, or Google Hangouts to video chat with friends and family while social distancing.
3.Spring Clean
Use this time to declutter and tackle that organization project in your home.
4.Catch Up
Now is the time to sit back and catch up on binge-worthy television shows and series.
5.Read On
Pick out a good book and dedicate time to read it daily. Start a book club with a few of your friends and discuss your latest reads.
6.Snail Mail
Send a letter to your pen pal the old school way- with pen, paper, and postage.
7.Get Moving
Put on some music and get dancing! Find an activity that you enjoy and do it during the day.
8.Goal Set
Evaluate your personal and professional goals and reset them if needed.
9.Try Something New
That thing that you’ve always wanted to do- do it now.
10.Nothing.
That’s right! Do absolutely nothing. Just be.
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BRIGHTSIDE ADVOCACY

761 Wheaton Street, 5th Fl
Savannah, GA 31401

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