CASA Delaware Live!

In this episode, we chat with Trinette Redlinger-Ramsey of the Division of Family Services and JoAnn Santangelo from the Court Improvement Program to educate us on the value of Family Time. Family Time, formerly called Visitation, exists when a family is involved with the Division of Family Services either as an intact family or one where the Division has custody of the child(ren). Listen in on what these two women have to share about Family Time, why it's so important and what Family Time looks like in Delaware. Enjoy!

In Episode #155, we chat with two CASA Coordinators, Jess Hazzard and Courtney Penhollow, who share with us some thoughts and ideas on how to best prepare for upcoming court hearings, how to testify, and how to focus on appearance in order to present our essential information related to a child welfare case. Enjoy!

In this episode, Megan Hendricks from the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families explains the FIRST Program: Family Informed Resource Support Team. This is a program within the department that helps families identify and be connected with community resources! Check them out HERE and if there are any questions, you can email them directly at DSCYF_CommunityDirectory [email protected]. Enjoy!

In Episode #153, we chat with Division Director Renee Ciconte as she explains the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services. She reviews what this Division is responsible for, how it works with it's sister agency the Division of Family Services "DFS," and how CASAs can assist with a youth who might be experiencing juvenile justice. Enjoy!

In this Episode, Mr. Mike Kopp of the Murphey School discusses their Transitional Housing program... aimed at helping teenagers successfully transition into adulthood and obtain housing. The Murphey School is a group home/congregate care facility in Dover, DE. 

Learn more! https://www.murpheyschool.org/

In this Episode, we interview Dr. Maya Khalid, PhD from SOAR (Survivors of Abuse in Recovery). This is an incredible resource for our families as they provide therapeutic services to children and families who have been involved with sexual or physical abuse. Here is their website for more information: https://www.survivorsofabuse.org/

Enjoy this episode!

In Episode #150, we re-record a virtual Lunch & Learn topic on Oh My Hair! The necessity of minority hair care. We wanted to re-create it in the form of a podcast to appeal to more CASA volunteers to engage in this topic as it is essential to so many children and families we serve. Thank you to our amazing presenters who are also Office of the Child Advocate Staff: Rose Maurice, Renee Duvall, Esq., Lisa Reaves, Niki Howard, and LaTysse McKinzie-Mack. Enjoy!

In Episode #149, we chat with three CASA Coordinators: Lisa Reaves, Nakia Howard, and Jessica Hazzard. All three share their experience working with CASA volunteers and how to handle situations that might not be going the way a CASA Volunteer would prefer them to go. All three coordinators share some great nuggets of advice and experience. Enjoy!

In Episode #148, we hear from CASA Coordinator Jen Falkowski as well as two CASA Volunteers, Colleen Harbison and Bethany Menson, as they share their experience working WITH the Division of Family Services. All three share some great nuggets of information and make solid suggestions on ways to best work with DFS as we all navigate child welfare cases together. Enjoy!

In Episode #147, we chat with parent attorney Stephanie Reid, Esq. who discusses her role as a parent attorney, how she works with her clients, who she partners with to help her clients, and she makes some suggestions on how CASAs can best support parents when working reunification cases. Enjoy!