CASA Delaware Live!

In Episode #97, we chat with Bob Blouin from Clothing Our Kids. Clothing Our Kids is a non-profit organization serving Sussex County that clothe children in need. Bob explains to us how children can access their services and what a CASA Volunteer should know about Clothing Our Kids to help direct their child to access this service. Enjoy

Here is their website: https://www.clothingourkids.org/

In Episode #96, we chat with....well, myself! CASA Training Director Lauren Brueckner takes time to explain the elements of a CASA Court Report, How to Calculate Monthly Hours, How to Use Apricot, and What Are The Non-Negotiables of Being a CASA. Enjoy!

In Episode #95, we chat with Deputy Child Attorney Molly Shaw as she walks us through the legislative process and highlights what bills were passed (and are pending) relating to child welfare. Some of these bills include updates to mandatory reporting as well as the pilot creation of the Driver's License and Insurance program. Enjoy!

How a Bill Becomes a Law

In Episode #94, we chat with CASA Coordinators LaTysse McKinzie-Mack and Tahira Ayyaz to focus on Self-Care... why is self care necessary, what are some ways to practice self-care and what resources exist for CASA volunteers experiencing an emotional challenge with a case. Enjoy! 

In Episode #93, we interview Mandy Timmons who works directly with families during the reunification process. She becomes appointed to a parent along side of a parent attorney, allow the two of them to advocate and support the parent during reunification. Mandy is specifically serving Sussex County but she does have a counterpart in New Castle County. Kent County will hopefully receive this service as well. Enjoy! 

In Episode #92, we speak with Kathie Herel from the Parent Information Center. She administers the Educational Surrogate Parent program. A Surrogate Parent is a volunteer who assumes the parental rights of a child in foster care to advocate on their behalf for Early Intervention or Special Education services. In this episode, we learn about special education as well as what goes into an IEP (Individualized Education Program) and how a CASA can best advocate for a youth who may be eligible to receive, or be receiving, special education services.

Parent Information Center:  https://picofdel.org/

Kathie can be reached directly at [email protected] 

In Episode #91, we chat with current CASA Coordinators Jess Hazzard and Lisa Reaves. They bring a unique perspective to the CASA Program since they came to us from the New Behavioral Network as Family Interventionists themselves! They share their experience working with CASAs and provide some best practices on how to work with "FIs" during a reunification case. Enjoy! 

In Episode #90, we focus on how a CASA volunteer can successfully take over a case from another CASA volunteer. Every now and then, a CASA must leave the program or the case for a reason beyond their control. It happens, so when it does, we want to efficiently be able to appoint a new CASA to take their place. These three CASA Volunteers (Karen, Jessica and Gary) share their experiences and some tips & tricks of when they took over a case. Enjoy!

In Episode #89, we chat with Adrienne Owen from the Office of the Child Advocate. She discusses how our office, especially the Multi Disciplinary Team (MDT) operates to identify and support victims. Enjoy! 

In Episode #88, we discuss the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, called "NCMEC" with Melissa Snow. Melissa shares with us why children go missing, what the Center does to find these children and what happens upon re-entry. She mentions two great online resources during her chat, so here they are!

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: https://www.missingkids.org/

Netsmartz: https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/home

Enjoy!