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Leadership RecognitionAward Program 2012

CASA

Megan Sumners, Andrea Waeckerle, and Kelsey Greene

3/8/2012

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Leadership Recognition Award Program 2012

1. Organization Name: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)2. Mission Statement: The mission of CASA of Calloway and Marshall Counties, Inc. is to

advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in Calloway and Marshall County

Family Court by utilizing committed and trained citizen volunteers from our community and

collaborating with other social services agencies as needed.3. List of programs and services: Child advocacy.4. Number of participants/clients: In 2011, there were 526 open cases comprised of 63 clients in

Calloway County and 50 in Marshall County for a total of 113. There are currently 56 cases in

2012, 14 of which have been closed.5. Volunteer Details:

a. How many volunteers are involved in the organization?Currently, there are 19 volunteers headed by 2 paid staff members. The number of volunteers

varies each year.b. What are the roles of volunteers age 21 and older?

The main focus of a CASA volunteer is to help absolve a case and reunite family members by

reaching out to children. Volunteers strive to be someone that a child can trust. Theyre

cheerleaders for each family because their ultimate goal is its reunification. Volunteers

spend time with their child clients at least once a week in their own environments, such as

their homes, schools, recesses, etc. They actively watch the interactions between the children

and those around them for warning signs of odd behaviors or mistreatment. Volunteers and

the child theyre partnered with discuss any aspect of the childs feelings, activities, and

interactions, except for case specifics. Another role is for the volunteers to simply play with

children. In court, its the volunteers job to advocate for the child and say what the child is

too afraid to say. c. What are the roles of volunteers under the age of 21?

Underage volunteers help with special events that help raise awareness for CASAs cause.

They do a lot of work with publicity and marketing plans. After being sworn in by a judge,

these volunteers are also allowed to do some office and paper work.

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d. What processes must a volunteer complete in order to be a part of this organization?

Before beginning their volunteer experience they must go through an interview, two

background checks, 30 hours of training (12 at the CASA office, 15 hours online, 3 hours in

court system), and must be sworn in by a judge. CASA assists on a volunteers first case so

that theyre familiar with the casework process. Office training includes: Learning theappropriate things to say, proper conduct, how to write reports, empowerment, and how to

have an open mindset about peoples situations. e. How do you support volunteer efforts and performance?

CASA holds a Light of Hope banquet at the end of the year to honor the volunteers and their

hard work. Its important that the volunteers are shown their value so that theyre encouraged

and will want to continue volunteering. Once a month, CASA conducts various training

sessions that may include a banquet and panel. Volunteers also periodically go on retreats for

a day of training.f. What documentation is involved in the volunteer process?

Besides the processes mentioned above, volunteers are required to write an essay for why

they want to volunteer with CASA. They also need to have valid drivers licenses. 6. Tell a story of how the organization fits the purpose (recognition of volunteers engaged in

quality leadership roles to accomplish mission) and criteria (see below):In a previous case, one of the organizations volunteers who had come from a rough background

was able to help a family in a similar situation. She helped a mother was on drugs and who had

gone into rehab. Because of the CASA volunteer and her role in the familys life, the mother was

able to come out of rehab and get back on her feet to adequately care for her children. The

passion and hard work of the volunteer drove her to make a difference in this familys situation.CriteriaThe organization

is passionate and committed to volunteer engagement is respectful and supportive environment for volunteers has documented volunteer development process delegates responsibility and authority to volunteers has evidence of volunteer impact on the mission