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We bid CASA of Philadelphia trainer Rachel Rosenzweig a fond farewell as she embarks on a new full-time position as a trainer with Einstein Medical Center.  Although she will be missed by staff and volunteers, we are so happy for her that she has moved into this exciting new job.  Congratulations, Rachel! 

“All things are possible with strength, determination and a plan”

-Elaine Allen, CASA Volunteer

Three and a half years ago, Elaine Allen made the commitment to become a CASA, with the hope that she could make a difference in a child’s life. Since then, Elaine has lived up to her favorite quote, “all things are possible with strength, determination and a plan” by successfully advocating for three different CASA children since her graduation.

 

Each child and each situation has challenged Elaine in a different way, developing her into the well-rounded volunteer that she is today. Her child-centered focus and belief in the resilience in the children she serves was never more apparent than in her recent relationship with Yolanda (name has been changed).  A very bright teen who found herself in the foster care system as a result of the sudden death of her mother and a father who struggled to care for his children as a result of dependency on drugs and alcohol, Yolanda struggled to trust anyone who came into her life, and was a frequent runaway while in care. Elaine believed in her, and even when Yolanda ran away from her group home for nearly six months earlier this year, she never gave up supporting the principle that as a CASA it is important to be a stable force in the child’s life. When Yolanda finally returned, Elaine was one of the first people to greet her, and she resumed her encouraging and supportive relationship with Yolanda, just as she had done before she ran away. This strong message that someone cared about her even when she was gone embodied the true essence of CASA and had an incredibly positive and emotional impact on Yolanda.

 

Elaine said it best when asked about her reasons for staying committed to continuing on as a CASA to Yolanda and declining the offer to be dismissed from her commitment to advocate for her when she was considered a runaway for months:

 

“There are so many children that need a CASA.  I believe I can continue to offer some hope/benefit to the children placed outside of their homes.  I want them to know that there are adults out here who care about them and their circumstances, and that it is not their fault.  If I can bring encouragement and make a difference in one or two lives, I will have accomplished much! There are a lot of players who move in and out of these kids’ lives - we want to be one who is there for them, through good times and bad.”

We are currently looking for a CASA volunteer who will speak at our next open house, which is scheduled for Thursday, January 19, 2012 at Noon at Community College of Philadelphia’s Center for Business and Industry building, room C2-5 at 18th and Callowhill Streets, Philadelphia, PA.

If you are interested in speaking about your experience as a CASA volunteer, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Cynthia Mason at cynthia.mason@casaphiladelphia.org.

Also, please spread the word to anyone who might be interested in attending this next open house and ask them to RSVP to us at info@casaphiladelphia.org.

As you know, you are required to complete 12 in-service training hours per year to maintain your active CASA volunteer status.  This is a national CASA standard and we will be providing many opportunities in the New Year for you to complete your annual requirement.

As we begin 2012, please start planning now, as there is sometimes a mad rush at the end of each year to get your credits in.  Just think of it as one credit per month!

Here are some of the ways you can get your credits in:

·         CASA quarterly trainings: We will be offering at least 4 trainings per year, sponsored by CASA of Philadelphia, and if you attend one you can earn 2 hours of credit per training.  You may attend an unlimited number of these trainings.

·         Read a book or watch a movie: You can receive 2 hours of credit for each, with a maximum of 4 hours each year.  There are many types of books and movies listed on the CASA of Philadelphia Web site, as well as the National CASA Web site, and you are also always welcome to make suggestions to your supervisor if you find something on your own that you feel is relevant to your work as a CASA volunteer.

·         National CASA Conference: You can earn many hours of in-service credit by attending this year’s National CASA Conference.  See below for more details.

·         Non-CASA trainings (sponsored by foster care agencies, schools, community groups, etc.): You may find trainings or classes in the community that are relevant to the work you are doing as a CASA volunteer.  You will receive equal time to the amount of time you spent at the training.  Speak to your supervisor first to see if it is an appropriate training.  You can earn unlimited in-service hours by attending these trainings.

·         National CASA E-learning modules: You can earn up to 4 hours of credit per E-learning module on the National CASA Web site.  Each one takes from two to four hours to complete online.  There are currently two learning modules available.  See below for more details.

You can earn in-service training hour credits by taking a National CASA E-Learning course.

If you have already set up a log-in and password with the National CASA Web site, click here to log-in and view the E-Learning options: http://nc.casaforchildren.org/_elearn/login-1.asp. 

Enter your e-mail log-in and password.  Complete the training.  After you have completed the training, contact Volunteer Coordinator Cynthia Mason to alert her that you have finished it.  She will then review the work you completed online and, if you have successfully completed the training in its entirety, she will record your in-service training hours.

If you do not, yet, have a National CASA password, please contact Cynthia with your full name and e-mail address.  She will activate your name on the National CASA Web site so you can take the E-learning Modules.

These online trainings take about two to four hours to complete and you can earn up to 4 hours of training credit per training.

This year the national CASA conference is in Washington, DC!  We look forward to seeing many of you there. 

Every year, over a thousand volunteers, staff members, judges, attorneys, and others involved in the child welfare field get together to learn, network, get inspired, and have fun!

Visit: http://www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.5405963/k.A2FE/Annual_Conference.htm for updates and more information so you can start making your plans now.

Welcome to our new class of prospective volunteers! 

Classes begin on January 4^th and we are looking forward to greeting and getting to know this new group of future CASA volunteers. 

 

Our swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 5:00 pm in Courtroom A at 1801 Vine Street.  Please feel free to stop by to welcome our new class of CASA graduates.