In This Issue

• Hoe Down
• Golf Tournament
• Supervision Schedule
• Continuing Education

2nd Annual Hoe Down on August 4, 2016

Join us for an evening of fun for the entire family. Enjoy BBQ, dancing, games, and silent auction. Tickets go on sale June 15th. Call CASA for more information 970-513-9390.

10th Annual Golf Tournament

Many thanks to CASA’s Board of Directors, our Sponsors (Breckenridge Grand Vacations, Epic Promise – Vail Resorts, Vail Daily, Summit Daily, Stuhr and Associates, Slifer Smith & Frampton, McGraphics Creative, Breckenridge Associates, Alpine Golf, and OnCore Golf), and Red Sky Ranch for contributions that made the 10th Annual Golf Tournament a wonderful success!

Colleen’s Supervision Schedule:

Summit/Lake/Clear Creek Counties – meet at the CASA office; conference room 101: Tuesday May 17 3pm-5pm and Thursday May 26 from 3pm-5pm
Eagle County – meet at the Avon Library; small meeting room: Thursday May 12 from 10:30am-12:30pm and Monday May 23 from 10:30am-12:30pm

Jean’s Supervision Schedule:

Summit County – meet at the CASA office; conference room 101: Wednesday June 15 from 2:00 – 4:00.
Summit County – meet at the CASA office; conference room 101: Thursday June 23 from 2:00 – 4:00.

Gifts for Children

Remember to pick up some gifts for the children! We have books, pajamas, stuffed animals, and toys. Please stop by and pick up some gifts!!

New Volunteer Training

Our next training (flex training partially online) will be in September 2016!

Education Resources

CASA Library of Books We have quite a few books covering all sorts of topics that will help volunteers understand the dynamics of their assigned children and families. Stop by and take a look!

Lunchtime learning – July 27th, Noon, Mindsprings Health presented by Reagan Wood the Summit County Coroner. She is presenting about the Survivor Support Services that are available to family & friends of people who died.

Vicarious Trauma (also known as Compassion Fatigue) can impact people who are exposed to secondary trauma through their work or volunteer activities. Please review the attached Powerpoint to learn the signs, and what you can do to help yourself and others. Remember that in order to give to others, we all need to be well, (versus feeling depleted). http://echo4.bluehornet.com/ct/87982628:76utEVYNe:m:1:3077459927:179297664AAA476D0413994F08960268:r

Save the Date! Colorado CASA’s State conference is 9/10/2016. There will be trainings and information about CASA. Registration begins 7/1/2016. More information will follow.

Child Abuse Affects Everyone:

Hotline: 1-844-CO-4-KIDS (to report child abuse)
10,853 children suffered child abuse or neglect in 2014. This is about 30 each day. Statistics: 84 % Neglect, 15.3% Abuse, and 10.4 Sexual Abuse. The majority of the victims were 5 years old or younger.

In This Issue

• Welcome New Volunteers!
• Golf Tournament
• Supervision
• Walk for Heart Health
• On the Horizon
• Trainings

Welcome New Volunteers!!!

CASA welcomes our new volunteers Claudine Norden, Allison Dibrell, and Chad Washer (left to right) photographed here along with Judge Romeo. The new volunteers worked diligently to train for this position. They were sworn in April 21, 2016 and have all been assigned to new cases. Volunteers we appreciate you!

9th Annual Golf Tournament

CASA of the Continental Divide is delighted to announce that our 10th Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Continuing with our tradition of stunning venues, this year’s tournament will be held at the Red Sky Golf Club in scenic Wolcott, Colorado on the par 72 course designed by Greg Norman. Join us!!

Volunteer Supervision

Colleen:
Summit/Lake/Clear Creek Counties – meet at the CASA office; conference room 101: Tuesday May 17 3pm-5pm and Thursday May 26 from 3pm-5pm

Eagle County – meet at the Avon Library; small meeting room: Thursday May 12 from 10:30am-12:30pm and Monday May 23 from 10:30am-12:30pm

Jean:
Summit – meet at the CASA office; conference room 101: Monday May 23 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and Thursday May 26 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Or arrange Individually

Rob Millisor Heart Health Walk

Breckenridge Grand Vacations is a major grantor & supporter of CASA. They are hosting this event in remembrance of Rob Millisor who died last year from a heart attack (while on a humanitarian trip). The proceeds from the event will support heart health programs. We are supporting these efforts by participating in the walk or volunteering. It takes place on June 11, 2016 at Carter Park in Breckenridge from 8:30am to 1:00 pm. Join us for this important day!

Educational Resources

The Colorado Association of Families and children’s Agencies is hosting a conference on Wednesday July 20th at The Pines at Genesee. There is a full day of really interesting workshops centered around Trauma Focused Care for children. For more information call 720-570-8402.

Books for Children

We have many children’s books available for you to pick up and give to the children on your cases. CASA wants to make it a priority to get books in children’s hands!

In This Issue

• National Child Abuse Prevention Month
• On the Horizon
• Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
• New Volunteer Training
• Become a Mentor

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April showers bring May flowers! April is also National Child Abuse Prevention Month. One way we can reduce child abuse is to develop a strong community. Communities have a great influence in families’ lives. Some small steps may be:

• Set up a play group in your community at people’s homes or at the park
• Organize a community babysitting co-op
• Volunteer at your child’s school through the school’s administration or parents’ organization
• Encourage local service providers to produce a directory of available services in the community

On the Horizon

CASA of the Continental Divide funds our programs through grants and also events. This summer we have some fun events planned. Please join us!

10th Annual CASA Golf Tournament is June 1, 2016. This year’s event is at the spectacular Red Sky Golf Club – Greg Normal Course in Wolcott, CO. Log onto www.mtncasa.org for more information and to register.

2nd Annual CASA Summer Hoe Down is August 4, 2016. Join us for great family fun that includes food, games, music & dancing at Keystone Stables. Log onto www.mtncasa.org for more information.

Volunteer Supervision

Colleen:
April 7 from 3pm-5pm, April 11 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm, April 18 from 10:30am – 12:30 pm and Thursday April 21 from 10:30am – 12:30 pm.

Jean:
Arrange individually. We have an exciting new “To Do” feature in Optima. This one will save time and reduce e-mails!

Volunteer Appreciation

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Food Hedz in Frisco for our Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. We appreciated sharing this special time with our volunteers.

New Volunteer Training

We look forward to training our new volunteers! This training will be Tuesday & Thursday evenings and Saturdays, beginning April 26.

Education Resource

CASA Library of Books We have quite a few books covering all sorts of topics that will help volunteers understand the dynamics of their assigned children and families. Stop by and take a look!

Become a Mentor

Our new CASA’s are committed to providing excellent service for the children. They rely on experienced people (like you). Please consider this exciting opportunity to share your knowledge with a new CASA. Let a staff member know if you are interested.

In This Issue

• UNC Survey
• National Social Work Month
• Supervision dates
• VOCA Grant (office update)
• Volunteers & Spring Training
• What’s your Time Worth

UNC Survey

University of Northern Colorado researchers are studying the relationship between school and placement stability and educational outcomes for students in foster care.

As part of this study, UNC reached out to CASA to provide an on-the ground perspective about the time frame between when a child welfare placement change and a school change occurs.

Please consider completing this FIVE QUESTION survey. It does not ask for any identifying information about you or your CASA Child.

https://unco.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9BlzOIT1QFyT9ad

Also included as an attachment below, for your reference, is a PPT on the foster care education data that were released last week and a preview of a research study that will be coming out soon on the relationship between school mobility and earning a high school credential.

If you have questions about this research, please contact Dr. Elysia Clemens 970-351-3044 or elysia.clemens@unco.edu) Information about the overall project can be found at: https://ies.ed.gov/funding/grantsearch/details.asp?ID=1674

National Social Work Month

Social Work Month 2016 – Forging Solutions Out of Challenges

Our nation’s more than 600,000 social workers have amazing tenacity and talent.

They confront some of the most challenging issues facing individuals, families, communities and society and forge solutions that help people reach their full potential and make our nation a better place to live.

We celebrate the contributions of social workers during National Social Work Month in March.

Here are activities you can take part in to commemorate the month:

• Honor social workers, and
• Educate the public about the often unnoticed ways that social workers bring great good to our society

Volunteer Supervision

Colleen:
Summit/Lake/Clear Creek Counties – meet at the CASA office; conference room 101: Thursday March 10 from 2pm-4pm and Wednesday March 16 from 10am-12pm
Eagle County – meet at the Avon Library; small meeting room: Thursday March 3 from 10:30am-12:30pm, Tuesday March 22 from 10:30am-12:30pm and Wednesday March 30 from 11:30am-12:30pm

Jean:
Lake / Clear Creek Counties – meet at the CASA office; conference room 101: Tuesday March 15th from 2:00 – 4:00 and Wednesday March 30 from 1:00 – 3:00.

Office Facelift

CASA CD received a grant from VOCA to use for the purpose of updating our office and conference room electronic equipment and furniture. Allison will lead this project beginning in July. We may need some help from volunteers (moving & dissemination of old stuff, cleaning and painting.

New Volunteer Training

Our next training begins April 26. Let your Advocate Manager know if you know anybody who would like to volunteer. We have 4 volunteers completing training this week, and expect to swear them in next week.

Mindsprings Lunchtime Learning

HIGH COUNTRY: In Our Own Voice Living Well With Mental Illness.

Presented by: Annie Livingston-Garret and Skye Dayne

March 23, 12:00 – 12:50 at St. Medical Office Building, Anthony’s Medical Center, Miner’s Creek Room.

What’s Your Time Worth

In an article in the Summit Daily News, an accountant observed that many people are watching the bottom line a little more closely. This said, many are asking, “What deduction can be taken for volunteering, pro bono work, and other charitable activities?” The accountant reports that taking a deduction for time is simply not allowed. There are, however, expenses that can be deducted. As a CASA, remember to log your miles into your contact log. Let your Advocate Manager know if you require assistance using Optima. Our work is a labor of love and the children and families value your efforts.

In This Issue

• The Colorado Grand Grant
• Welcome Volunteers!
• Thank You Volunteers
• Excellence in Practice Awards
• Volunteer Supervision
• New Training Website

CASA Receives Grant from The Colorado Grand!

The Colorado Grand is an annual charity tour that feature sports & race cars from before 1960. 2016 marks the 28th anniversary for this great event, which provides grants for Colorado organizations. The photo above features CASA of the Continental Divide graciously receiving a grant. Many thanks to The Colorado Grand!

Welcome new volunteers!

CASA of the Continental Divide extends our welcome to 4 new volunteers. The volunteers are currently attending CASA’s Flex Training, and will be ready to accept cases by March 1. We look forward to working with you!

Many thanks to all of our volunteers- Together we make a difference!

Excellence in Practice Awards

The 2015 Excellence in Practice (EIP) Awards have opened for nominations. This is an opportunity to recognize any caseworker, supervisor, administrator, treatment provider, judicial officer, or court staff who have demonstrated excellence in the field of Child Welfare. Nominations need to be in by March 18, 2016. Awards will be presented at the 2016 Convening on Children, Youth and Families event on April 24th to 27th in Beaver Creek, CO. Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DZFMQ7j

Volunteer Supervision

Colleen:
Summit/Lake/Clear Creek Counties– meet at the CASA office; conference room 101: Monday Feb 8 from 2pm-4pm or Tuesday Feb 23 from 10am-12pm

Eagle County– meet at the Avon Library; small meeting room: Thursday Feb 11 from 10:30am-12:30pm and Thursday Feb 18 from 10:30am-12:30pm

Jean:
Summit/Lake/Clear Creek Counties– meet at the CASA office; conference room 101: Tuesday Feb 16 from 2pm-4pm or Wednesday Feb 24 from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Clear Creek County– meet at the Library; small meeting room: Wednesday Feb 17 from 12:00 pm 2:00pm.
Lake County – Meet at the Library February and Thursday Feb 18 from 2:00PM – 4:00 PM

New Taining Website

New training website for foster, kin, and adoptive families. http://ridgewoodpr.us7.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8f42eaf868facd0d014734482&id=645665c3ca&e=86547931f3

In This Issue

• Volunteers Celebrate Togetherness
• Press Release
• Supervision Dates
• Interview TV 8
• New Volunteer Training
• Current Volunteer Trainings

6 Month Reunion Nurturing Friendships

Left to Right: Erin Gallimore, Amy Gish, Andi Liebowitz, Cindy Holdens, and Lizzy Anderson (in the middle). Volunteers who trained with CASA during 2015 smile as they celebrate their 6 month reunion and celebrate their friendships.

Many thanks to all of our volunteers!

Press Release – CASA Receives National Recognition!!

CASA of the Continental Divide serving Clear Creek, Eagle, Lake and Summit Counties has just been awarded certification by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate CASA Association. This certification recognizes that CASA of the Continental Divide is in compliance with National CASA’s high standards for quality child advocacy.

Volunteer Supervision

Supervision with Colleen:
Summit / Lake / Clear Creek Counties – meet at the CASA office; conference room 101: Thursday January 14, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Tuesday January 19, 5:00 to 7:00.
Eagle County – meet at the Avon Library; small meeting room: Thursday January 21, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and Thursday January 28, 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Supervision with Jean:
Summit / Lake / Clear Creek Counties – meet at the CASA office; conference room 101: Wednesday January 13th, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM and January 26th, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Lake County – Meet at Leadville Library: Thursday January 21, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM.
Clear Creek County – 101 – January 7th, 12:00 PM to 2:00PM.

Hurry! Flex Training for New Volunteers

Starts January 18
Volunteers – Tell your friends & family how volunteerism with CASA touches many children’s lives. Let your Advocate Manager know if you know someone who would like to volunteer with our team.

One Child at a Time….

Alpine Bank – Avon Branch sponsors CASA for TV interview on TV8 Vail. View Kathy Reed challenges our community to “change the world 1 child at a time,” by volunteering for CASA. Kathy makes the point that the New Year motivates us to make change. Kathy invites the audience to make a change in a child’s life this year. She continues by discussing the upcoming training for new volunteers as well as the ongoing need for volunteers to service incoming cases. invites adults to make a change in a child’s life this year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfnqLvpAhpg

Mental Health First Aid – Summit County (Training)

Mindsprings Health reports that registration is now open for the winter Mental Health First Aid classes in Summit County! Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a groundbreaking, internationally recognized evidence-based training program committed to empowering individuals to identify, understand and respond to those in mental health and substance abuse crises. MHFA encompasses two curricula: a core program tailored for Adults and Youth Mental Health First Aid, a separate program for adults that work with youth. Each are available as interactive 8-hours courses and can be conducted as a one-day seminar.

Adult MHFA: Wed Jan 20, 2016 08:30 AM – 04:30 PM (8 hours)Summit County Senior Center Frisco, CO 80443

Youth MHFA: January 13, 2016 08:30AM – 04:30PM
Summit County Senior Center Frisco, CO 80443

Registration is open at Mental Health First Aid – Colorado! To register for a class, go to http://www.mhfaco.co and click on “find a class.”

In This Issue

• Happy Holidays
• Volunteer Staff Party
• Volunteer Training Opportunities
• Group Supervision
• Colorado Gives Day
• Volunteer Training
• Toys for CASA Children

Happy Holidays!

Warmest wishes to all of our volunteers, supporters, families and fellow community members!

CASA Volunteer Staff Party!

Hosted by Lizzy Anderson

When: Saturday, December 12, 2015, 6:00 PM
Where: 0311 Alpine, Dillon Valley
RSVP: 970-376-3696

Current Volunteer Trainings

Video: Addressing how trauma can impact brain development. The video takes place in an alternative school. The video helps us understand some of behaviors we may see in children. http://www.papertigersmovie.com/#home-section

Training: Creating Trauma Informed Systems: Utilizing a Trauma Perspective to Advocate for Your Clients and Inform Court Decisions. Understand trauma’s physiological changes to the brain and long term harm to families. February 11, 2016, from 8:30 – 12:00, in Denver Metro Area TBD. For more information Email afotsch@larimer.org.

Mental Health First Aid: Offered by Mindspings Health, in Summit County. Adult MHFA January 20th and Youth MHFA January 13, 2016. Learn Evidence Based practice for understanding & responding to people experiencing mental health and substance abuse crisis. www.mhfaco.org

Volunteer Supervision

Colleen:
December 10th 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM in CASA 101
December 16 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM in CASA 101

December 8th 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM Avon Library small mtg. rm.
December 10th 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Avon Library small mtg. rm.

Jean:
December 8th 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM CASA 101
December 9th 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM CASA 101

December 9th 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM Clear Creek Courthouse
December 17th 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM Leadville

(Other meetings individually arranged.)

If you need access to commonly used CASA forms or templates, use our public file for CASA. CASA’s Dropbox

Remember Colorado Gives Day!

For the sixth year running, Community First Foundation & First Bank are partnering to present Colorado Gives day, on December 8th. It’s a state wide movement to celebrate & increase philanthropy in Colorado, through on-line giving. http://www.coloradogives.org

New Volunteer Training

Flex Training begins January 2016. We welcome our new volunteers!

Toys for CASA Children

We are receiving toys to give to our CASA children. The toys are unwrapped and available for pick up on December 18, 2015. Please call Allison by December 16, to arrange 970-513-9390.

November at CASACD

Jean Becker-Sullivan and Allison Bustin are in full swing at the CASA office, and looking forward to working with the CASA community!

Resources and Trainings

Compassion Fatigue, Secondary and Vicarious Trauma: Part 2
This is a recording of a 3 part series from a CASA program out of Oakland, CA. The speaker covers the topic of self-care when working in highly emotional situations. Click Here.

Ten Realities of Sibling Adoption

Here is an article that can help explain the importance of maintaining sibling relationships, while in foster placement (and after). Click here to read the article.

November 5 – Dialogue Over Dinner

– Topic: CYBER SAFETY – 6 P.M. – 7:30 P.M. at the Summit Middle School in Frisco. This is offered by FIRC. We will be discussing the issues surrounding cybersafety, social media and more. RSVP with Natalia at 970-455-0228.

Brene Brown Video on Empathy

Here is a great little animated video that shows the value of empathy. Click here to watch a 3 minute video on You Tube.

Black Wednesday Auction

Get your holiday shopping done early and support CASA programs all across the State of Colorado. CASA of the Continental Divide is participating in a Black Wednesday Auction to support 16 CASA programs statewide. The Black Wednesday auction is online. Instead of fighting the crowds, get the jump on your shopping from the comfort of your own home and support our great organization! Click here.

Colleen Supervision

Summit/Lake/Clear Creek Counties – meet at the CASA office; conference room 101: Monday Nov 9 from 10am-12pm and Thursday Nov 19 from 5pm-7pm
Eagle County – meet at the Avon Library; small meeting room: Tuesday Nov 10 from 10am-12pm and Thursday Nov 12 from 5pm-7pm

Jean Supervision

Summit/Lake Counties – November 17 from 4pm – 6pm in CASA 101. *See note
Clear Creek County – November 17 10am – 12pm in Georgetown Courthouse meeting room.

**Note – Jean would like to meet contact with all of her volunteers this month, so if these dates/times don’t work, please let her know hannaho@www.mtncasa.org

Open Cases That Need CASA’s

Clear Creek County:

Two boys ages 1 and 5. Placed in Longmont, CO

Lake County:

One male boy age 2. Placed in Leadville, CO

Optima Updates

Activity Logs – As you fill out your contact/activity logs on your cases, you will have fewer activity types to choose from. If you go to court or meet a family member other than the child, you can choose “collaterals contacted.” The same would be true for talking to a service provider. We hope this will simplify the process. Options are as follows:

• Child Contact
  Collaterals Contacted
  Mentor
  Research
  Wrote Court Report

New Law Affects CASA Cases

SB 14-062 will become law as of August 6. In summary, it states that if parental rights are terminated, a 15 year old (or younger if part of a sibling group) can have parental rights reinstated if there is no adoption after 3 years (or less time if it is in the child’s best interest and with certain findings made.) If you have any questions about whether this affects your cases, please call the CASACD office.

Volunteer Supervision

Colleen:
Summit/Clear Creek County Volunteers:
CASA office- Conference room 101:

Monday September 8: 1pm-3pm
Wednesday September 17: 5pm-7pm

Eagle County Volunteers: Avon Library:

Tuesday September 9: 5pm-7pm
Wednesday September 24: 10am-12pm

Hannah:
Dillon CASA office room 101:

September 16 from 3-5pm

Leadville Post Office

September 17 from 11-1pm

*If these times don’t work for you, contact Hannah for more options! hannaho@www.mtncasa.org

If you need access to commonly used CASA forms or templates, use our public file for CASA.

CASACD Office Changes

The time has come…Lynn, our office manager, has sold her house to move to the front range. We will miss the great work she has done for us in the office but, again, wish her luck in all her future endeavors.
Renie Krummel has started in her place. Renie worked at 1st Bank for 20+ years and has volunteered with us in our fundraising events. We are excited to bring a long-time “Friend of CASA” into a staff position!
The email for this position remains: admin@www.mtncasa.org.

Open Cases That Need CASA’s!

Summit County:

One female child 15 years old.

Eagle County:

Two female children 4 and 2 years old.
Two children, one male 10 yo and female 13 yo.
Two female children ages 13 and 2.
Two female children 8 and 1 years old.

Clear Creek County:

Two females ages 12 and 14.
Two boys ages 1 and 5.

Lake County:

One male boy age 2

New Law Effects CASA Cases

SB 14-062 will become law as of August 6. In summary, it states that if parental rights are terminated, a 15 year old (or younger if part of a sibling group) can have parental rights reinstated if there is no adoption after 3 years (or less time if it is in the child’s best interest and with certain findings made.) If you have any questions about whether this affects your cases, please call the CASACD office.

Optima Updates and Hints

* COPY & PASTING TEXT INTO OPTIMA TEXT BOXES:

If you need to copy and paste information (text) from other documents or an approved court report into a newly created court report in Optima, it is very important to copy the text in plain text format (txt.)

To copy text into any Optima text box from a Word document, for example, it must be in a plain text format. To create a plain text document, first open a Word document. Select FILE and then select SAVE AS; this allows you to rename the document. Rename the document: Plain Text Word Document and then change the FORMAT to: Plain Text (.txt). Lastly, save the Plain Text Word document to your desktop for easy access.

* To complete a new court report, see the Court Report work instructions. Part one is the what goes into the court report. Part two addresses the how to create/data entry a court report in Optima.

These work instructions were mailed to all CASAs. You can also access them on the CASACD website here. Please read these work instructions and document the time you spent reading these work instructions in your training log. The instructions for doing this are also on the same page of the website.

Volunteer Supervision

Colleen:
Summit CASA office room 101:
* Wednesday, August 13 from 10am-12pm
* Thursday, August 21 from 5pm-7pm

Avon: Meetings will be held at the Avon Library:
* Thursday Aug 14 from 5pm-7pm
* Wednesday August 27 from 10am-12pm

Hannah:
Dillon CASA office room 101:
Thursday, August 7, from 3-5pm

Leadville Post Office
Wednesday, August 20, from 12-2pm
*If these times don’t work for you, contact Hannah for more options! hannaho@www.mtncasa.org

View the rest of the newsletter here