Summer 2007

Art Event Benefi ts Youth page 18

Cover Overrepresentation of Youth Helping Youth 2007 National Story: of Color in Foster Care Features: Retain Cultural Ties Conference Highlights page 5 page 13 page 14 volunteer voice Rita Triviz Mesilla Valley CASA, Inc. Las Cruces, NM

fter many years of teaching in barrio schools and other Acommunity service—including a stint as the fi rst woman elected to the Dona Ana County Commission—I became a Court Appointed Special Advocate in 2001. What fi nally precipitated my training as a CASA volunteer was my concern for a girl who came into my 1st-grade class for a month. She seemed remarkably clingy with her mother when I fi rst met her. After she left our school, all I could fi nd out was that she was taken away from this mother, who had recently adopted her. I hoped CASA would help ensure that children like her would receive compassionate attention. My second CASA case has kept me engaged as a volunteer. It involves three children assigned to me on Thanksgiving of 2002. Last year, I volunteered to take my third case involving fi ve children, including the oldest boy who stole my heart when he was in kindergarten. When this lovable youngster was in 4th grade, I asked to be assigned as his CASA as soon he and his four siblings were placed in foster care. My current two cases have a total of eight children in seven foster homes who live in three cities (one being 220 miles north of where I live and one being 70 miles east). They range from 3 to 13 years of age. I have no delusions of grandeur that my commitment of a few hours a month interacting with children who are in foster care 24/7 will always have a lasting impact on the quality of their lives, but I feel a civic obligation to help put a young life

on a positive trajectory. I hope that being one constant adult es, NM might make a diff erence in the lives of children who are now with their fourth social worker and in their fi fth foster home. I’m chagrined when non-CASA volunteers claim to admire my dedication because I know my role is not as ontoya—Las Cruc time consuming nor as emotionally taxing as being a foster parent. It’s been uplifting to encounter some of the foster y Linda M mothers I’ve been fortunate to meet. These women should be

celebrated on Oprah and in movies like Freedom Writers! to © 2007 b

I remember once grousing to myself about what a martyr I Pho was for driving to see a child who lived only 10 miles from my full-time teaching job and from my loving, supportive mother who was recovering from a stroke. I was so annoyed that I Since so few people seem to appreciate the eff orts of ended up missing a crucial turn and had to backtrack in the 1st-grade teachers (in my experience), it was particularly dark. After visiting this young girl and her foster mom, I gave rewarding the time I was sitting outside a courtroom waiting myself a reality check: “Rita, you are no martyr. You’ve been for my time in front of the judge and overheard two lawyers: lucky your whole life!” “Did you read the CASA report?!” Furthermore, the CASA kids themselves are inspirational. Sometimes I get discouraged working in the juvenile They bring a whole new meaning to the word resilient. There’s justice system. But when I get impatient, I think of Dr. Martin one middle-schooler who I’ve volunteered for since she was Luther King, Jr. and his speech after marching from Selma to in 3rd grade. She’s been in fi ve diff erent foster homes and a Montgomery: residential treatment center—and she’s so wise that she could I know you are asking today, How long will it take? train volunteers or write a book! When I gave her a journal …However diffi cult the moment, however frustrating the and a fancy pen from our local CASA program this Christmas, hour, it will not be long, because truth pressed to earth her huge grin was heart-warming. She truly appreciated my will rise again. How long? Not long, because no lie can insistence that her wisdom was worth writing down. She’s live forever. How long? Not long, because you still reap been nurtured enough to value the abstract sentiment what you sow. How long? Not long, because the arc of the represented by a blank spiral notebook. moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice. from the president

Why Our Supporters Care

Mimi Feller Board President, National CASA

ike most of our readers, you are probably a supporter During my career at Gannett Company as the senior vice Lof the CASA cause for abused and neglected children. president of public affairs and government relations, I also So we offer you our hearty thanks! But you may also be managed the Gannett Foundation. In that role, I distinctly curious about what motivates other donors to choose this remember the first time a local CASA program sought our help. charity among the many nonprofit organizations out there. What made the program stand apart was its mission: safe, In June, I had the pleasure of attending a board meet- permanent homes for abused and neglected children. It was ing of Jewelers for Children (JFC), one of National CASA’s also appealing to us as a nationwide corporation that CASA largest supporters. Since 1999, JFC has contributed nearly volunteers are located in almost every state, in all kinds of $28 million to children’s charities—an amazing record. cities, communities and rural areas. And the obvious quality of Our four years of JFC support adds up to over $4.3 million, CASA volunteers made this an easy cause to support. much of which has been redistributed to local CASA/GAL The feeling inspired by the CASA network’s support from programs nationwide. We congratulate the entire JFC board judges, both parties of congress, state governments and the of directors for their enthusiastic participation in fundrais- press is something else that attracts the attention of corpo- ing, which makes possible tremendous aid to children. rations and foundations. After all, there is no downside to A highlight of the meeting for me was witnessing the supporting our volunteer advocacy. phenomenal group of recipients in which we are included Support from corporations comes not only in dollars but as JFC’s “legacy” charities: the Make-a-Wish Foundation, also in donated goods and services. A few years ago, we de- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Elizabeth cided to contact the CBS television network to see whether Glazer Pediatric AIDS Foundation. It is quite an honor to be a series star would do a public service announcement for included on that list of national children’s charities. the CASA cause. The gracious reception we received went While JFC is indeed a large, “institutional” donor, far beyond our expectations. When we walked in the door, it couldn’t achieve what it does without the personal the marketing team had already read all the materials we interest of individuals. When I met incoming chairman had sent. Since then, CBS has given us nearly $12 million Howard Sherwood, the very first sentence out of his worth of network advertising time, with series stars Danny mouth was that his wife happens to be a CASA volunteer! Pino and Simon Baker, that has brought the CASA mes- Coincidentally, National CASA’s annual conference took sage to over 38 million viewers. As a result, we have seen place immediately after the JFC meeting. At our awards dramatic increases in the number of volunteer inquiries banquet, David Rocha, JFC’s executive director, explained to our member programs. In addition, CBS has designated their motivation for giving to the CASA network: National CASA as one of its key charities, with a presence on the CBS Cares website. This really is from the perspective of Jewelers for Finally, our base of support isn’t limited to large in- Children and the entire jewelry industry a partnership. stitutions. Just as the heart of CASA’s work involves our I think one of the greatest things that you can do in individual volunteers, the heart of our support comes from life is bring a smile to a child. And whether that be our individual donors. Each of you makes a personal com- through lifesaving cutting edge medical technology, mitment, often many times, to the children and youth we or a little diversion like a wish or providing them with serve. We have seen individual gifts increase greatly over a stable, loving home, you can’t ask for more. It’s the past few years. To keep our good work going, the CASA just amazing to me to…hear the tremendous success network and the children we serve rely on these individual stories that you all experience. This relationship is gestures of generosity. Your support shows that our mission very important to us, and we look forward to many, is connecting at the grassroots level. We hope to continue many more years of helping children. to earn your trust.

Summer 2007  A publication of the National CASA Association, repre- Voices & Viewpoints senting 946 program offices and 57,938 CASA volunteers Volunteer Voice ...... inside cover nationwide. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a nationwide From the President ...... 1 movement of community volunteers who speak up for the best interests of abused and neglected children. Thinking Twice About Race CASA volunteers work for the judge to review and Guest Youth Editorial by Luce Tang ...... 3 monitor cases of children who become part of the juvenile justice system. CASA volunteers work closely with the child Closing Words from Judge Hatchett and family to bring an independent assessment of the case to court, recommending to the judge what is best for the Help Wanted: More African-American Advocates ...... 32 child’s future. CASA volunteers help prevent children from becoming “lost” in the child welfare system. CASA gives children a chance to grow up in safe, permanent homes. Special Features & Profiles Mimi Feller ...... Board President Uneven Ground: The Disproportionate Representation of Children and Marcia Sink ...... Immediate Past President Families of Color in the Child Welfare System ...... 5 Hon. Ernestine Gray ...... Vice President Michael Piraino ...... Chief Executive Officer James Clune ...... Chief Communications Officer 2007 National Conference ...... 14 Michael Skinner ...... Managing Editor Sharon Heiber ...... Contributing Editor Brian Lew ...... Contributing Editor Theresa Carleton ...... Archivist Regular Features The Connection is designed to keep CASA programs, volunteers and the public abreast of the latest news and de- Top Tips for Volunteers velopments affecting CASA’s work with abused and neglected 4 Steps to Maintaining Cultural Connection ...... 13 children. Written contributions are welcome. Published quarterly by the National CASA Association. Association News ...... 18 The Connection is produced and paid for by the National CASA Association. Book Club: Ace of Spades ...... 20 This project was supported by Cooperative Agreement No. 2002-CH-BX-K001 from the Office of Juvenile Justice Resources for Foster Youth & Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, US Maintaining Contact with Siblings ...... 21 Department of Justice. Points of view or opinions in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily Child Welfare News ...... 22 represent the official position or policies of the US Department of Justice. Program News ...... 24 Unless otherwise noted, children in Connection photos are not from actual abuse and neglect cases. Donors ...... 28

Connection Sightings ...... 29

Crossword ...... 31

Support provided by the Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation

Subscriptions: $35 for one year. Subscriptions to The Connection are included as part of National CASA Association membership. © 2007 by the National CASA Association, 100 W. Harrison, North Tower - Suite 500, Seattle, WA 98119-4123. Phone (206) 270-0072 or (800) 628-3233 Fax (206) 270-0078 Email: [email protected] nationalcasa.org and casanet.org All rights reserved.

 youth editorial

Thinking Twice About Race Luce Tang

y friends and I are a mixed group. me from head to toe. It was creepy and MOne is Black, one is White, two are made me feel uncomfortable. Asian (including myself) and two are Some guys at the corner store would Hispanic. But sometimes, one of us will holler at me, “Hey, Chun Li, come over fidence after that to make some friends make a racist joke. here. I want to speak with you.” I of my own. Within a few months, some I don’t find racist jokes too funny. wasn’t used to guys yelling at me like of my new friends took me around Though I usually laugh at them, I feel that. I didn’t like how they made me the neighborhood to introduce me to uncomfortable laughing. I know that feel self-conscious. And that feeling everybody else. it’s wrong to generalize a whole group was made worse by what they called To my surprise, I met people my age like that. me—I’m not a video game character. who had never met an Asian person I’m Used to Diversity I hear a lot of rude and discriminatory before. They said they only saw Asians remarks walking around the city, but on TV or in a textbook. I was shocked One reason why I feel uncomfort- I didn’t expect that from people in a that they lived in New York but hadn’t able is that I know what it feels like nice area. St. Albans is a suburban-style experienced the city’s diversity. to be the “different” one. When I first neighborhood: it’s got detached houses moved into a Black neighborhood four It made me feel sad, because there’s with lawns, garages and driveways. years ago, people’s reactions to me so much opportunity here to learn made it clear that I was the only Asian I was also surprised that the people about other cultures. I started to think around. A few residents actually picked picking on me were Black. I thought that maybe this lack of experience with on me because of my race and made that they must know how it feels to be other groups leads to intolerance and me feel unwanted. discriminated against, so they would racially based comments and insults. try not to treat another minority as an Before I moved to St. Albans, in A few months later, on my bus ride outsider. Queens, I lived in a fairly diverse home from school, a group of young Brooklyn neighborhood. There were One Friendly Family teenagers sitting behind me started making comments like, “What is she Asians, Whites, Hispanics, Blacks and Not everyone treated me that way, doing in a Black neighborhood?” and, Hasidic Jews. Walking around, I’d see though. I met Aeisha,* who’s my age, “What is she doing with those braids?” many different kinds of faces in the and her brother Garrett, who’s a year stores and on the streets. I liked the younger than I am, while waiting for (I wore my hair in cornrows that day.) atmosphere of indifference that comes the bus. They’d just moved here, too. I was angry and I wanted to confront when people are familiar with your One day they were with their mother them. But I was outnumbered, and I presence and aren’t alarmed by you. and she said to me, “I see you some didn’t want to get into a fight. Instead, My school, too, is packed with days, getting on the bus in the morn- I imagined turning around and say- students of different races and nation- ing. Do you live around here?” ing to them, “If you think braids are alities who mix with each other without We started talking. They made the strictly for Black people, then why do a problem. My friends at Brooklyn Tech neighborhood seem friendlier. Once I you wear your hair straight?” HS are of different races—Asian, Black, went over to their house and played When one kid pulled my hair, I got White, Middle Eastern and Hispanic, chess and watched TV with them. And furious. I turned around and told him and some of them are mixed race. when I got locked out of my house not to touch my hair, but he kept doing when it was raining, it was comforting it. Then he got bored and his friends Got the “Stink Eye” that I could go over to their house and found something besides me to talk But this ethnic diversity isn’t the wait there until someone came home to about. They got off at the stop before case in my new neighborhood. Nearly open the door. me. My anger lingered after they left. everyone in St. Albans is Black. Soon after I moved there I got the “stink Never Seen an Asian Person? Distrusted Neighbors’ Smiles eye”—an angry glare from the corner Aeisha and Garrett, who are Black, I started to distrust everyone in of the eyes—from people who were made friends with some of the other my neighborhood. I decided not to standing at the bus stop. They gazed at kids in the neighborhood. I gained con- talk to anyone there. Some of my new

*Some names have been changed. [continued on page 4]

Summer 2007  [Youth Editorial continued from page 3]

neighbors and friends tried to smile Asians, I felt I had the responsibility racist joke, another one of us will say and call to me from across the street to represent my ethnicity (Chinese- something like, “Hey, all right, the when I passed by. I just walked by American) and my race (Asian). It was joke is dead, let’s talk about some- them like I didn’t hear them. important to me that people in the thing else.” Or, “You’re overdoing it.” I was still feeling angry from the neighborhood saw me as a respect- We’ve discussed how certain jokes can bus incident and felt that they were able girl. be made, at least among friends, but only trying to be friendly out of pity, I don’t regret living in St. Albans. how other jokes are downright hurtful because they felt badly that I wasn’t My experience has convinced me that and shouldn’t be spoken at all. being accepted in my neighborhood. it’s important to get to know other In New York City, which is so But after about a month, I realized ethnicities besides your own. I feel mixed, there’s no excuse for racism. that it was only a few people around that this is necessary in a multi- I think we need more youth centers who were ignorant and mean. ethnic country like ours. where people of different cultures can Sometimes, the negative actions of a I’m angry that I had to deal with spend time with each other and work few can undo the positive actions of racist comments when I first moved together on community projects. many. I realized I had wronged those there, but I held stereotypes about When I have kids, I’ll take them who had been genuinely friendly. African-Americans, too, like they’re to places where they can learn about more likely to go into illegal busi- different cultures, like the Jewish No Longer Feel Like a Stranger nesses and more likely to get into Museum, the Museum of Chinese in the And over a period of six months, I fights over minor things. Americas and El Barrio. I’ll teach them noticed a change in the way people But the people in my neighborhood to have pride in their culture—or look at me. I no longer got that “out- are successful. Everyone that I know of cultures—and respect other cultures sider” glare. Now, for the most part, has a normal job and a home. And now as well. people don’t really look at me at all. that I feel more a part of the neighbor- I’d like to think that our racist Once in a while, I’ll get a “Good morn- hood, I see that the people in St. Albans society will have changed by then, ing,” or “Hi, Luce.” have a strong sense of community. but I don’t think it will. I like that I can walk around now without feeling like a stranger in my Taking Racist Jokes Seriously Former foster youth Luce Tang is now in her fourth own neighborhood. It also feels good My friends and I talk about race year of college studying biochemistry. Reprinted sometimes. If one of us makes a to have established what I think is a from Represent, ©2007, with permission from Youth positive reputation. Communication/New York Center (youthcomm.org). Since people in my neighborhood didn’t know much about

 cover story

Uneven Ground: The Disproportionate Representation of Children and Families of Color in the Child Welfare System Lisette Austin

At first, accepting Carmen as my GAL volunteer wasn’t easy. When I met her at age 14, I said, “You’re White, I’m Black—there’s no way we can have anything in common.” I tried everything to push her out of my life. But she showed a lot of patience, and I eventually came to trust her and opened up. Later, Carmen gave me books that I have on my shelf to this day—African-American Wisdom: A Book of Quotations and Proverbs and In the Company of My Sisters: Black Women and Self-Esteem. She also encouraged me to go to Howard University, where I could not only get a good education but learn more about my culture.

— Kadia Edwards, 24 Former foster child and graduate student at Duke University

hild welfare systems across the US in the general community (2% vs. 1%). Disproportionality rates are only Chave a difficult task—protecting Children primarily enter foster care the tip of the iceberg. Research shows and providing services to abused because of abuse or neglect. However that children and families of color in and neglected children while helping national studies, including the 1993 the child welfare system are regularly families stay intact whenever possible. National Incidence Survey of Child treated differently than non-minority The system strives to treat all children Abuse and Neglect, show no statistically children and families. Hill’s report equally, but the reality is that not all significant differences in maltreatment states that minority children receive children in foster care stand on equal rates between African-American and fewer and lower-quality services, less ground. Children and families of color, Caucasian families. So why are there foster parent support, fewer contacts particularly African-American and so many African-American children in by caseworkers and less access to American Indian/Alaska Native children, foster care? mental health and drug treatment. This are entering foster care at rates higher In Synthesis of Research on than non-minority children—and they Disproportionality in Child Welfare, stay in care longer. Not only that, researcher Robert B. Hill, PhD summarizes but minority children receive fewer studies showing where disproportionality The need for both supportive services to promote stability, occurs. According to the report, minority safety and general well-being. children are more likely to be reported culturally competent and The numbers are difficult to ignore. to CPS for maltreatment than their Of the over 500,000 children currently Caucasian counterparts. Studies also diverse volunteers was in the system, nearly 60% are children show that African-American families are of color. African-American children more likely to be investigated, more likely recognized by the first represent 35% of children in foster to have reports of abuse substantiated care although they make up only 15% and more likely to experience foster care. CASA program even as it of the general child population. For (Casey-Center for the Study of Social American Indian children, the foster Policy Alliance for Racial Equity in the was forming in 1976. care rate is double their representation Child Welfare System, 2006).

[continued on page 6]

Summer 2007  of the children in the system are African-American, but only 5% of the decision-making people are African- American—that’s not right,” she says. Black Administrators in Child Welfare also offers training seminars exploring the impact of race dynam- ics in the foster care system. “There needs to be some targeted training,” says Jackson. “Most people feel that they are culturally competent, but too often they do need a bet- ter understanding of world views and communities. My goal is to help people believe that there may be something they don’t know. If we’re going to be culturally competent, we need to always be aware of our incompetence.” Casey Family Programs is another organization working diligently on this issue. Based in Seattle, Casey has [Cover Story continued from page 5] been working nationally since 1966 disparity in services for families of color Roberts, author of the book Shattered to provide, improve and ultimately is consistent nationwide. Bonds: The Color of Child Welfare, has prevent the need for foster care. Casey is committed to bringing national So what causes minority overrepre- begun researching the impact of child attention to the overrepresentation of sentation and unequal treatment in the welfare involvement on communities. children of color in the child welfare child welfare system? The studies sum- “White neighborhoods in Chicago system. “We found that there is a ton marized in Hill’s report primarily point have nowhere near the rate of child of information on the problem out to the problem, rather than uncover- welfare involvement that the poor, there, but not much on the solution,” ing causes. He is careful not to make Black neighborhoods do,” says Roberts. assumptions. “The processes that lead “Statistics don’t get at what it is like says Lyman Legters, senior director of to disproportionality are complex—you to grow up in a neighborhood where Casey’s Seattle office. “So we are on can’t just say that certain people are children are constantly being removed the leading edge of this issue.” racist and that’s why this problem and placed outside their homes.” To raise awareness nationally, exists,” says Hill. “There is something Casey Family Programs has partnered about minorities having more stress and Addressing the Problem with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, less income, something about agen- Agencies and organizations across Marguerite Casey Foundation, Jim cies that may have stereotyping going the country are tackling the daunting Casey Youth Opportunities and the on, and then there are policies that problem of racial disproportionality Center for the Study of Social Policy give agencies more money to remove and finding ways to slowly improve to form the Casey-CSSP Alliance children from families rather than serve the situation. Addressing this issue is for Racial Equity, which published them in their home.” not new for Sondra Jackson, execu- the Hill report referenced above. Hill’s report calls for additional tive director of Black Administrators The alliance produces educational research on the possible causes of in Child Welfare. Founded in 1972, literature and media about racial disproportionality and disparities the organization has been commit- disproportionality and disparities as well as more research about less- ted to raising awareness about the in the child welfare system and is studied racial and ethnic groups. issue. According to Jackson, having working to define changes needed Research is also needed on how racial more people of color in leadership to create a system free of structural disproportionality affects not just positions is necessary to success- racism. These include changes in children and families but the larger fully meet the needs of minority public policy, research and community communities they come from. Dorothy children in care. “Thirty-five percent partnerships. Casey also works closely

 with the Race Matters Consortium, a To address this, Casey has created a national multi-system initiative also training tool for child welfare profes- Tips for Advocates dedicated to reducing racial dispro- sionals called Knowing Who You Are. • Take time to understand the portionality in the system. The training explores how professionals community you serve and the Casey’s policy is to start build- can first develop a healthy racial and children you are working with. This ing awareness close to home. The ethnic identity in themselves and then can include researching local child welfare data. organization requires all employees help the youth they serve to do the to participate in Undoing Racism,TM a same. “The training is a great aware- • Educate yourself about racial dispro- portionality and racial disparities in workshop facilitated by the People’s ness and motivation-building tool that the child welfare system. Seek out Institute for Survival and Beyond that encourages people to check their own perceptions and the way they practice,” additional training, and help raise focuses on recognizing and over- awareness about these issues. says Legters. National CASA recently coming institutional racism. Casey held a Knowing Who You Are training for • Know who you are. Exploring also facilitates ongoing employee your own identity can help you its entire staff and is looking for ways conversations about race, culture understand how important a child’s to promote it throughout the CASA/GAL and privilege. “As child welfare identity is to her—which will in turn network of nearly 950 program offices. workers, we have a responsibility help you advocate for her. to understand how racism impacts Promoting Systems Change • Make recommendations that the the children we work with,” explains youth of color you are advocat- Another approach to addressing ing for has access to his cultural Legters. “We have to understand that racial disparities is heritage in whatever way he can. promoting systems Help promote a sense of pride in his change. Over the culture and ethnicity. last decade, data • Explore kinship care whenever improvements have possible, and look for non-relatives helped child welfare with close relationships who could also be helpful, such as godparents. leaders and profes- sionals recognize the • Promote the family group decision- making model and help children scope of the problem keep an intact sense of community. and begin to respond to it. As a result, a • Work closely with your CASA program on implementing activities number of states have to address disproportionality and created initiatives racial disparities. Ask where you can to improve outcomes be of most benefit. among children and • If you belong to a minority group, families of color. help recruit other volunteers of your Washington is race and ethnicity. one of a handful of states that have passed legislation requiring child welfare departments to examine statistics on we are struggling with forces that disproportionality and develop remedial started a long time ago—and that plans. Change is also happening at the continue to work to maintain the county level, thanks to the King County status quo.” Coalition on Racial Disproportionality One of Casey’s top priorities is help- based in Seattle. King County Superior ing youth in care develop a stronger Court Judge Patricia Clark convened this sense of their own racial and ethnic group of 25 child welfare and human identity. Legters explains that while service organizations in early 2004 with many children in the system struggle the goal of reducing racial disparities. with identity issues, this struggle is The local CASA program participates in often exacerbated for children of color. this effort.

[continued on page 8]

Summer 2007  [Cover Story continued from page 7]

The coalition’s first task was to con- reporters (teachers, health care provid- affect disproportionality by promoting duct an in-depth review of county data ers, etc.). The resulting report explores systems change. “We need to get past on 13 child welfare decision points, a number of potential contributing this notion of hopelessness and help- from referrals to exits and reentry. factors including stereotyping, a lack of lessness—racial disproportionality is a “We found that county data mirrored clear definitions of abuse and neglect solvable problem,” says Judge Clark. “It national data,” says Legters, who is for cases without obvious physical needs to be addressed with the same also one of this coalition’s founding evidence, language and cultural differ- energy that we tackle other issues of executives. “The report showed that ences influencing reporter perceptions, child abuse and neglect.” disparities increased at every decision lack of cultural awareness among child Texas has also taken the lead on point throughout the system.” welfare professionals and a dearth of addressing disproportionality. Joyce Next, focus groups were held to service providers who can work effec- James was in her position as Texas CPS explore the reasons behind the dis- tively with families of color. assistant commissioner for only three proportionality. These groups included Once areas of concern were iden- months when the governor issued an former foster care youth, foster parents, tified, the King County coalition executive order to review the state’s kinship care providers, social workers, committed to developing and imple- child welfare system. But James had al- legal representatives and mandated CPS menting targeted interventions to ready started working with Casey Family Programs to address disproportionality. The state began by holding an Undoing Racism training for local child welfare Seven Facts to Know When Advocating leaders. “The training had a powerful impact on the CPS leadership in our for Children of Color state and how we view our work—not Below are selected facts that illustrate why National CASA is clearly focused just in regards to African-American on achieving diversity and culturally competent child advocacy—and why this children but all children,” says James. commitment is so critical to the children our CASA and GAL volunteers serve. Next, educational workshops were held for employees. After educating leader- 1. Children of color are not abused or neglected at higher rates than White children. ship and staff, the state rolled up its (Three National Incidence Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect conducted in 1980, 1986 sleeves and got to work. and 1993) “When we looked at African- 2. Despite this, African-American children make up 15% of the child population but 35% of the children in foster care. American Indian children make up 2% of the foster care American children and families, we population and 1% of the child population. (US Department of Health and Human saw that there was disproportionality Services) at points ranging from referral to kids 3. Race has been identified as a primary determinant for decision-making in five out of waiting for placement—this was in six stages in child protective services: reporting, investigation, substantiation, place- all regions in the state,” says James. ment and exit from care. (R.B. Hill, Synthesis of Research on Disproportionality in Child “We decided to target the Houston/ Welfare: An Update and National Study of Protective, Preventive and Reunification Services Dallas region initially since that’s Delivered to Youth and Their Families) where we saw the largest amount of 4. Instead of being referred to foster care, 72% of Caucasian children receive services in disproportionality.” their own homes. Just 40% of Hispanic children and 44% of African-American children receive in-home services in lieu of removal. (National Study of Protective, Preventive and One crucial aspect of the state’s Reunification Services Delivered to Youth and Their Families) approach has been to partner with the community through advisory commit- 5. African-American children remain in foster care longer—a median of 18 months in care compared to 10 months in care for Caucasian children. (Children of Color at a tees made up of former foster care Glance: Child Welfare League of America Fact Sheet and Relevant Research) youth, birth parents who have experi- enced the child welfare system, CASA 6. Children of color experience less placement stability and achieve permanency less often or not as quickly. They are more likely to be moved from one placement to volunteers, kin caregivers and represen- another, less likely to be reunified with their parents and wait longer to be adopted. tatives from child welfare, faith-based (US Department of Health and Human Services and Children of Color at a Glance: Child and human services organizations. The Welfare League of America Fact Sheet and Relevant Research) state is now exploring interventions 7. Children of color have less access to mental health services, and the services they with an emphasis on the front end of do receive tend to be of lower quality. (Leslie et al, 2000; Garland et al, 2003; Leslie, the system. Hulburt, Landsverk et al, 2004) “We are looking at ways we might have an impact on the number of [continued on page 10]

 RESOURCES Books Derezotes, Dennette, Mark Testa and John Poertner (2005). Race Matters in Child Welfare: The Overrepresentation of African American Children in the System, Child Welfare League of America. Graves, Joseph L. Jr. (2001). The Emperor’s New Clothes: Biological Theories of Race at the Millennium, Rutgers University Press. Graves, Joseph L. Jr. (2005). The Race Myth: Why We Pretend Race Exists in America, Penguin Group. Kivel, Paul (2002). Uprooting Racism: How Synthesis of Research on Disproportionality National Association of Public Child White People Can Work for Racial Justice, in Child Welfare: An Update, Robert B. Hill, Welfare Administrators New Society Publishers. PhD, Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity, (napcwa.org): This affiliate of the Roberts, Dorothy E. (2003). Shattered 2006. American Public Human Services Bonds: The Color of Child Welfare, Basic Association published the report Places to Watch: Promising Practices to Civitas Books. Disproportionate Representation in Address Racial Disproportionality in Child the Child Welfare System: Emerging Welfare Services, Casey-CSSP Alliance for Promising Practices Survey, March 2006. Organizations and Reports Racial Equity, 2006. American Humane National Coalition Building Institute Center for the Study of Social Policy (americanhumane.org): A network of (ncbi.org): An international nonprofit (cssp.org): Strives to help states and individuals and organizations working leadership training organization work- localities implement strategies that to prevent cruelty, abuse, neglect and ing to eliminate racism and all other strengthen disadvantaged communities exploitation of children and animals. forms of prejudice and discrimination and families and ensure that children Search for “decision making” to find throughout the world. grow up healthy, safe, successful in school the National Center on Family Group and ready for productive adulthood. The People’s Institute for Survival and Decision Making. Beyond (pisab.org): A national and Chapin Hall Center for Children Black Administrators in Child Welfare international collective of anti-racist, (chapinhall.org): Research and develop- (blackadministrators.org): A nation- multicultural community organizers ment center at the University of Chicago wide nonprofit organization dedicated and educators dedicated to building working to build knowledge to serve to improving the lives of African- a movement for social transformation. children. Search the site by author name American children and their families. Provides Undoing Racism™ training. for Entry and Exit Disparities in the Ten- Race Matters Consortium Annie E. Casey Foundation (aecf.org): nessee Foster Care System, Fred Wulczyn, (racemattersconsortium.org): A Grantmaker that fosters public policies, Bridgette Lery and Jennifer Haight, 2006. human-service reforms and community diverse group of child welfare experts Child Welfare League of America supports to meet the needs of vulner- representing research, policy, admin- (cwla.org): An association of nearly 800 able children and families. Search for istration, practice and advocacy that public and private nonprofit agencies that “Race Matters” for a toolkit including examines disproportional representation assist more than 3.5 million abused and fact sheets and presentations. of individuals of different races and eth- neglected children and their families each nic groups in the child welfare system. Casey Family Programs (casey.org): year with a range of services. Works to provide, improve and prevent United States Government Accountability Films the need for foster care. Search for “dis- Office (gao.gov): Their hot-off-the-press American Blackout (documentary): proportionality” to find resources such report makes several suggestions to ad- 2006, Ian Inaba, Director. as Knowing Who You Are, a free video dress disproportionality, including having and e-learning course. The following King Leopold’s Ghost (documentary): congress consider amending the law to reports are also available by searching 2006, Pippa Scott, Director. allow subsidies for legal guardianships by the site: family members. To findAfrican American Rabbit-Proof Fence: 2002, Phillip Practices That Mitigate the Effects of Children in Foster Care: Additional HHS Noyce, Director. Racial/Ethnic Disproportionality in the Assistance Needed to Help States Reduce the The Trials of Darryl Hunt (documen- Child Welfare System, Susan Dougherty, Proportion in Care (July 2007), go to gao.gov tary): 2006, Ricki Stern and Anne Casey Family Programs, 2003. and search for “disproportionality.” Sundberg, Directors.

Summer 2007  Promising Practices to Address Racial American Indian/Alaska Native Children Disproportionality in Child Welfare Services. This paper provides an Many studies show that although problem is the vast distances that need overview of intervention strategies child abuse and neglect are pervasive to be traveled by CASA volunteers. developed by 10 state and county problems in American Indian National CASA recognizes the jurisdictions. Some key strategies communities, Indian children are great need for advocacy in Tribal highlighted in the report include: dramatically overrepresented in the Courts as well as in mainstream child welfare system. Because of a wide courts. The association provides • Understanding how and where the range of complex issues—economic training, technical assistance and grant system produces inequitable outcomes distress, complicated jurisdictional funding to support programs serving • Collecting and analyzing data around issues and limited resources—Native this population. Tribal Court CASA key decision points tribes often experience difficulties in programs are an important part of the • Partnering with communities to achieve handling, investigating and prosecuting solution, training community members change cases of child abuse and neglect in to be vocal and effective advocates tribal communities. for child victims of abuse and neglect. • Improving service delivery and using The availability of CASA volunteers Additionally, because many tribal team decision-making as a vehicle to improve services in American Indian communities can children live among the general be low for many reasons. For instance, population, National CASA’s training • Improving cultural awareness and extremely high unemployment rates in curriculum for all volunteers covers competence of staff reservation communities often cause American Indian issues, including • Developing policy intervention at both volunteers to leave tribal programs the requirements of the Indian Child administrative and legislative levels to seek paid work. Another common Welfare Act. • Conducting ongoing community and agency evaluation

[Cover Story continued from page 8] The CASA Network’s Commitment families coming to the attention of decision-making model,” says to Diversity this system and making sure we are Rodriguez. “It is directly linked to The need for both culturally com- culturally sensitive,” says James. Texas disproportionality reduction.” petent and diverse volunteers was has also begun implementing the Texas and Washington are only recognized by the first CASA program family group decision-making model, two examples of states implement- even as it was forming in 1976. And which originated in New Zealand. This ing innovative practices. The the National CASA Association has innovative approach engages families Casey-CSSP Alliance for Racial Equity been a leader in providing training, in planning for children in foster recently published Places to Watch: technical assistance and targeted care—with youth often having a say in who participates. It is also being used by the King County child welfare system and is slowly gaining momentum nationwide. “An important focus of our systems improvement collaboration in Texas with Child Protective Services is to support the family group decision- making practice approach,” says Carolyne Rodriguez, senior director of Casey’s Texas State Strategy. Whether used prior to removal or after a child first comes into care, this model is showing promising results—helping children achieve permanency more quickly and with familiar people. “Kinship care is often accelerated through the use of the family group

10 grants to promote these values, with only one minority staff person and particularly over the last decade. no men. (See the spring 2007 issue of Faced with this reality, and recog- The Connection for details.) nizing that they wanted to improve Furthermore, National CASA services to the children in their care, continues to look for new ways to Jones and her team decided they help improve outcomes for minor- needed a plan. “Supported by a modest ity children in foster care—and to grant from National CASA, we created improve its own track record. a written diversity plan with the help “Currently, roughly 90% of professors, volunteers, commu- of CASA/GAL volunteers are nity leaders and diversity experts at Caucasian, while over 60% of the other businesses,” she says. ”Once you children we serve are children publish a plan like this, you are held of color,” says Terene Bennett, accountable for outcomes.” National CASA regional program Jones started by changing the office specialist. “We need better environment to create an atmosphere communication and greater rep- reflecting various cultures. She also resentation from communities of aggressively recruited minorities color so we can better understand into staff positions as they opened. and respond to the needs of the Meanwhile, Richland County CASA’s cultural groups we are serving.” new volunteer recruitment committee As part of National CASA’s operated from the theory that “diverse current strategic plan, its board people recruit other diverse people.” of directors backed two initiatives Although the organization started an to recruit more diverse volunteers advertising campaign that targeted and raise awareness about dispropor- diverse populations, they found that Hispanic/Latino Children tionality. With support from the Office their best recruiters were their current of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Some sources show that in volunteers of color. “I have very much Prevention, Jewelers for Children and most of the US, Hispanic and pushed the peer recruitment model,” Casey, National CASA is working with Latino children are actually says Jones. “We have asked minority programs in five sites: two in Chicago, underrepresented in foster care volunteers to be a major part of all two in St. Louis and one in Miami. compared to the total population. CASA activities including training, Advocates, staff and board members However, there are areas in the West public relations and fundraising.” at each pilot site will participate in and Southwest and large cities in Casey’s Knowing Who You Are train- Their efforts paid off. Out of 300 other regions where the opposite is ings. “The overall goal is to come up volunteers, almost 50% are now true. Additionally, the US Department with some best practices for diversity people of color, and roughly 34% of Health and Human Services recruitment, community engagement are men. Half of current employees reports that over 18% of children and disproportionality training—and are minorities, and there are now in foster care (91,000) are Hispanic. to look at how we can replicate these three men on staff. “It has not come But only 4% of all CASA and GAL strategies at all sites,” says Bennett. without some pain,” says Jones. volunteers (under 2,000) are from “Some were offended by the attention this community. Bilingual volunteers One CASA program in particular on recruiting minorities and men. But are especially needed. While all already has effective diversity recruit- if we don’t have diversity, we can’t volunteers communicate in English ment strategies under its belt: Richland understand the subtle cultural nuances during court proceedings, they are County CASA in South Carolina. “It we face in serving children in care.” often working with individuals whose began in 2004 when we realized that first language is Spanish. Navigating 28% of our volunteers were minori- Jacquelyn Buchanan, regional language barriers in a family is critical ties,” says Paige Jones, the program’s administrator for the Department to ensuring success for a child. For director. “The majority of children we of Family and Children’s Services in these reasons, National CASA works served were children of color, however Washington state and an executive to help programs recruit Hispanic/ the majority of our volunteers were member of the King County Coalition Latino volunteers. Caucasian—and only 16% were males.” on Racial Disproportionality, echoes Office staff had even less diversity, the importance of diversifying. “The

[continued on page 12]

Summer 2007 11 Echoing Hill is Roberts, author of Shattered Bonds. “I think advocates need to understand the importance of community to children and the harm that can come from disrupting their entire social context,” she says. “Many think about the child welfare system only as protecting children and don’t think about the other ways the system can affect children’s lives, families and communities. Think about the long- term repercussions of placement in foster care, and try as much as possible to keep children with their families and communities.” Most agree that there are no quick, easy answers to the problem of racial disproportionality and disparities in the child welfare system. But awareness and tenacity can go a long way—as can [Cover Story continued from page 11] a willingness to look at the difficult Richland County CASA example is Volunteers also need to be willing reality of racism on both an institu- exactly what we need to follow—chil- to examine and shed assumptions tional and individual level. “We are all dren really do need advocates who they may have about the children and on a journey, at different points on they feel can understand them,” says families they serve. “We all come with that journey,” says Legters. “The main Buchanan. National CASA honored the a set of lenses that we have grown up thing is to stay at the table, to stay example set by Richland County with with and expectations of what families engaged in the discussion even if it is a diversity award at its 2007 national should look like,” says Judge Clark. “We uncomfortable.” conference (see page 17). need to be very aware of the impact of And although the scope of the our own lens and realize that there are problem can appear overwhelming, What Advocates Can Do other experiences and ways of doing many remain optimistic. “I think Child welfare organizations across things that are just as valid.” this consciousness-raising discussion the country, including CASA programs, Buchanan of the King County we are finally putting forward is a are slowly finding ways to address coalition highlights the importance positive move,” says Jackson of Black disparities at different points in the of getting to know the child and their Administrators in Child Welfare. “It’s system, resulting in a multitude of culture as much as possible. “Ask ques- about exploring the question ‘what can strategies and outcomes. But what tions of family and friends,” she says. I do on an individual level to change about individual CASA volunteers? “If you are going to make decisions this—and to provide the best service possible to meet this family and child’s What can they do to help level the about someone’s life, it can’t just be needs?’” field for children and families of color based on what you alone know.” Many believe that reducing racial in care? Many feel that CASA volunteers can disproportionality and disparities in Advocates can begin by taking the help reduce the overrepresentation of services for families of color will mean time to understand their local child children of color in the system by ad- an overall improvement of services for welfare system. “Look at the county vocating for kinship care when feasible. all children in care. Says Judge Clark: level—find out more,” says researcher “Using kin is a promising practice when “If we fix this for kids of color, we fix it Hill. Once advocates understand abuse has been substantiated,” says for every child in the system.” which minorities are overrepre- Hill. “They may need to be removed sented in their area, he recommends from their parents, but the next place researching the stages at which they should be placed is with their disparities occur. “Find out if they families—or even a godparent. The Lisette Austin is a freelance writer who contributes are reported more, investigated more emotional impact on children is clearly regularly to local and national publications. She lives and/or placed in foster care more.” greater when placed with strangers.” in Seattle with her husband and 6-year-old son.

12 top tips for volunteers

4 Steps to Maintaining Cultural Connection

Nirja Kapoor Volunteer, CASA of Los Angeles and 2002 National CASA G.F. Bettineski Advocate of the Year

he 12-year-old girl I advocate for, check points should be the cultural Twhom we’ll call Anna, came into background of the child. Look beyond the dependency system emaciated and his race, appearance and the ethnicity his with third-degree burns. She had been name signifies. Be aware that behaviors brought to the US when she was 6 years may be a cultural expression. old to be with her mother and siblings. For example, my 15-year-old CASA But her life had transformed from one of child’s teacher was fed up with him poverty and the pain of family separa- for throwing away his class work. She tion into a miserable existence of starva- thought him shifty and distrustful because he never looked her in the eye, 3. Experience of the Mainstream and tion, verbal abuse and torture—the Other Cultures and though he had a Hispanic name, perpetrators being her own mother and While respecting their individual cul- he didn’t respond to her in Spanish. ture, make children aware of the main- some of her siblings. Later, it came to light that his behav- stream society around them as well as ior was not inappropriate given his In foster care, Anna learned to express other diverse cultures. Many children cultural background. He was a Mayan her sadness, anger and joy through in foster care have not been to places Indian, and because of his inability to Spanish music and dance. All she talked other than home, school, the mall and read or write at his class level, he felt it maybe a movie theater or a fast-food about were the latest songs and Latin a dishonor to submit his poor-quality restaurant. If your CASA program stars. So I was taken aback when she work. Moreover, it was because his cul- allows you to take youth on outings, recently told me, “I don’t want to listen ture considered it rude to look directly expose them to new places and cul- to Latino 96.3 FM no more. I am an in the eye of an elder that he did not tures other than their own. Libraries are American. I want to hear 102.7 KISS FM.” make eye contact with the teacher. the best place to begin. Walk through And above all—despite his Spanish I asked her why, and she said, “If you are the stacks looking at or checking out name—he spoke a rural Mayan dialect American, you don’t listen to Latin music. popular books, movies or music CDs. rather than Spanish. You listen to English music.” Check local high schools and commu- nity colleges for free or cheap theater Anna is caught between the culture 2. Community as a Cultural Connection Separation from family is traumatic. and dance events. Depending again on of her origin and the mainstream local rules, you might take a youth to culture. While dealing with issues of Though not an easy task for the volunteer, it is worthwhile to locate a a Thai restaurant, a cultural festival or abandonment and abuse, she has person within the community for the Chinatown. chosen to abandon a part of herself— child to relate to, visit or call. Grief and This gift of experience has what I call her individuality and what makes her anxiety can be reduced if the child is an ah-ha effect. It chips away the fear happy—so that she can be accepted by able to connect with someone with a that comes from the unknown and others. She is not alone. Her struggle similar background—a distant relative, gives youth a comforting sense of “I is shared by other foster children a former neighbor or a trusted foster know them. They’re just like me.” It who are of a non-mainstream race, family member. Explore activities that also boosts their confidence. Another sexual orientation or socio-economic take place in the child’s community, child I’ve advocated for, “Monica,” hated background. I have advocated for 40 and help her participate in events such going out because she disliked people children from diverse backgrounds over as a religious service or a community of other races. Her speech was littered the years and would like to share what celebration where she can experience with derogatory names for people dif- ferent than her. But she loved math- I’ve learned from some of them. and connect with her culture. Dis- cussing current events and providing ematics. So after a lot of convincing, I 1. Cultural Background as Check Point information on revered cultural icons took her to a free classical Indian dance Keep an open mind and acknowledge or successful personalities also makes performance. Throughout the perfor- the culture and belief systems of the youth feel connected, informed and mance and for some time afterward, child. When you take a case, one of your more in control. she did not utter one racial comment.

[Continued on page 23]

Summer 2007 13 2007 national conference

From June 9 through 12, more than 1,400 CASA/GAL volunteers, staff, judges and other supporters gathered in Orlando, FL for the 30th Anniversary National CASA Conference. At more than 60 informative and inspirational workshops and four general sessions, conference attendees strengthened both their skills and their spirits. During the general sessions, leaders in their fields shared personal perspectives on issues including overrepresentation of children of color in the dependency system and inequalities in the education system.

Left to right: Board President Mimi Feller, Casey Family Programs CEO William Bell, Essence Editorial Director Susan Taylor, National CASA CEO Michael Piraino and National CASA Vice President Hon. Ernestine Gray Opening Session: Susan L. Taylor and William C. Bell “The thing that you create for children is hope. And Keynote speakers Susan Taylor, editorial director of Essence magazine, and William Bell, CEO of Casey Family Programs, helped National CASA CEO I like to think of the word Michael Piraino open the 30th Anniversary National CASA Conference. hope as meaning healthy optimism and persistent encouragement. None of us “I am so proud to be a part of CASA and to have CASA work can move forward consistently with Essence Cares! You are the good news that we don’t read about in the daily news, we don’t see on the nightly news— without having someone offering people with big hearts who are allowing the goodness of spirit words of encouragement and to move through them to help heal our communities.” motivation.” —Susan Taylor —William Bell

14 Keynote Address: Jonathan Kozol Jonathan Kozol—author, educator and activist—shared personal and political anecdotes from a 40-year career spent visiting with children in impoverished neighborhoods and educating the public about the inequalities in our public school system.

“People say to me, as I bet they say to you: ‘Gee, it’s nice of you to go over there and work with those kinds of people.’ And they say it as though I were doing these kids a favor—as though I was going to sprinkle blessings on their foreheads. But it has never seemed like that to me at all. I’ve gone in search of blessings—and I’ve found them every single time.” ­—Jonathan Kozol

Jonathan Kozol

Closing Session Conception Cuevas spoke about how her CASA volunteer, Erica, helped her overcome the obstacles of the foster care system. Cuevas is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

“I saw first-hand how drugs and violence affect families. If I can prevent another child or another family from having to suffer like I did, then I have done what I set out to do.” Hon. Leonard Edwards of Santa Clara County, California with outgoing National CASA Chief Development —Conception Cuevas Officer Bill Corwin, who once led the judge’s local CASA Michael Piraino and Conception Cuevas program

Summer 2007 15 Awards of Excellence Winners Honored at National Conference

xtraordinary people in the CASA and social workers, attorneys, parents and Evolunteer GAL network help provide the children she serves. hope to abused and neglected children Gibson’s style of supportive advocacy in communities across the country. enhances the healing process: working The Awards of Excellence are presented primarily with difficult sexual abuse each year at the National CASA annual cases, she brings comfort, support conference to recognize the exceptional and consistency into lives that have contributions and dedication of child known far too much pain and turmoil. advocates, program directors, judges, Accepting her award, Gibson quietly board members and CASA/GAL programs brought everyone’s attention to the excelling in diversity efforts. Awards reason for CASA volunteers’ work: “It’s were presented during the conference not lost on me that in order for me to banquet held on June 10. be standing here, children have been abused. It’s a very poignant thing, and Evelyn Gibson it impacts me greatly.” G.F. Bettineski Child Advocate of the Year CASA of Orange County Gibson then told the story of how a Santa Ana, CA terribly abused child she served gained confidence, became emancipated from Kappa Alpha Theta Foundation President Wendy Sears Goshert presents award to Connie Stephens the system and now credits CASA for (right). how much she has gained. Gibson reflected that “everyone who is an ad- CASA” and make Hall-Dawson the first vocate understands that we are not the CASA program in Georgia to own its heroes. The heroes are outside of here: facility. the hundreds of thousands of children The key to success, Stephens said who have been abused and neglected. in her acceptance speech, is “to do And we have the privilege to work with whatever it takes to protect these those incredible kids.” innocent children. If that means working overtime, just do it. …If it Connie Stephens means joining civic organizations and Kappa Alpha Theta speaking to whoever will listen, just do Program Director of the Year Hall-Dawson CASA Program it. You know our children will be better Gainesville, GA because you cared enough to give of yourself. You know every single child When the Hall-Dawson CASA Program began in 1989, Connie Stephens served on this earth deserves to be wanted as the sole staff person for three years and loved, and every single child de- until she was able to hire additional serves a family. No child deserves less.” staff. She has played an integral role in Having served 33 children and teens Martin Crimmins the program’s growth and expansion from in 18 years, Evelyn Gibson is not only National CASA Association CASA of Orange County’s longest-serv- three CASA volunteers to 120 volunteers Board Member of the Year ing volunteer but also one of its most who serve every abused and neglected CASA of Allegheny County dedicated advocates. With incredible child entering their local courts. Pittsburgh, PA energy, integrity and warmth, Gibson Recently, in collaboration with Allegheny County CASA was in steep exemplifies the ideal volunteer. Her the board and community partners, decline when Martin Crimmins was patience, persistence and respect Stephens spearheaded a capital cam- elected board president in 2003. Staff enable her to build strong rapport with paign that will soon provide a “Casa for reduction was underway for the first

1166 time ever; the number of volunteers The Honorable Chris Melonakis Richland County CASA had dropped; and there was no clear National CASA Association National CASA Association plan to reverse the situation. Crimmins Judge of the Year Diversity Leadership Award th put to work his professional experience District Court Judge, 17 Judicial District Columbia, SC Broomfield, CO resurrecting failing companies and his personal passion for the CASA cause to help save the program. After taking stock of the remain- ing assets the program possessed and working to create and execute a plan to first stabilize and ultimately expand the program, he collabo- rated with others to ensure that the program’s service to children never diminished and that no child experi- enced an interruption in advocacy. By 2005/2006, the program was serving more children than in any other two- year period in its history. Richland County CASA Director Paige Jones

In 2004, when Paige Jones became executive director of Richland County Judge Chris Melonakis has made CASA, 85% of the children served by significant contributions toward advanc- the program were of color and 53% ing children’s issues and bettering the were male. By contrast, almost all systems that serve them. His passion of the CASA volunteers, board and for helping the children whose lives program staff members were Caucasian he touches is unequaled, as are his women. To better reflect the ethnic and organizational skills to create systems to gender characteristics of the population improve their futures. As a friend of CASA served, the program created a diversity of Adams & Broomfield Counties, Judge plan to recruit new volunteers, board Melonakis promotes the program in the and staff members. judicial community and the public arena by making presentations to civic and Realizing that volunteers themselves community organizations, by participat- are the greatest promoters of the ing in every CASA volunteer training CASA program, staff members changed session and swearing-in ceremony and by their volunteer recruitment methods Martin Crimmins joining foundation site visits. and adopted a peer-recruitment model. Through these and other efforts, In his remarks after receiving the significant changes have taken place While Crimmins was unable to award, Judge Melonakis noted that the attend the award ceremony, his court often loses “the opportunity to re- in just three years: the number of male thanks were expressed in a letter unify families, [thus not] serving the best volunteers has increased from 13 to read by Melissa Protzek, executive interest of the children and in the long run 80, and the ethnic composition of staff director of CASA of Allegheny County: the best interest of our communities.” He members has shifted from 14% people “All organizations go through also expressed appreciation of volunteer of color to 55%. changes when they grow. Or they advocates: “When CASA volunteers come Accepting the award, Jones re- don’t grow. Changing management into my court, I welcome them with open flected on the importance of being and rules is a difficult and painful arms; I welcome them with an open heart; open to change in order to improve: process—especially for a group and I welcome them with an open mind “There’s a saying that I can be ac- of totally dedicated people. Open because I know they are going to bring me cused of running into the ground: ‘If communication, physical presence better information so that I can make… you always do what you have always and a commitment from board better decisions for the children and the done, then you’ll always get what members…helped us be successful.” families which come to my court.” you’ve always gotten.’”

Summer 2007 17 association news

National CASA Event Benefits Bay Area Foster Youth Artists

Clockwise from lower left: Doriana Mayes, 15, Woodland; Jerry King, 15, Santa Rosa; Joe King, 16, Santa Rosa; Justin Cooper, 19, San Francisco; Javier Uno-Peake, 15, Oakland; Anna Torres, 18, Daly City; and Iasha Saldivar, 16, Morgan Hill

In collaboration with 10 San Francisco Bay Area CASA Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Proceeds from programs and California CASA, National CASA hosted an the auction directly benefited the young artists. educational art workshop to benefit local foster youth. The Who Am I? Not What You See was created to provide foster daylong workshop entitled Who Am I? Not What You See took youth who are aspiring artists an opportunity to receive place on April 28 at the Museum of Children’s Art in Oakland. professional training and hands-on experience. A reception sponsored by NBC/Universal, including a silent Applications to participate were submitted by foster youth auction for the resulting artwork, was held on May 7 at the throughout the Bay Area. Eight youth ages 12-19 were accepted and completed the project under the direction of nationally acclaimed Bay Area artist Yuyi Morales. In the workshop, youth created artwork featuring hinged doors painted outside and inside to allow them to demonstrate both what they are perceived to be as foster youth and how they see themselves. “I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember,” said participant Anna Torres, 18, of Daly City. “Going through the Art of Life project was really fun. Everyone was there to help out. I learned from this experience that I don’t have to be afraid to express myself through art—and that there are people out there who are there for me. “ When asked about her future hopes and dreams, Torres responded, “I want to go back to college and become a social worker. I think I know a lot about how to help kids in foster care Doriana Mayes adds detail to her painting. because I’ve been in this for 12 years.”

18 Born and raised in Veracruz, Mexico, workshop leader Yuyi Morales is the author and illustrator of Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book, which won the 2004 Pura Belpre Award and the Américas Book Award. She also illustrated Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull, which won the 2004 Christopher Award. Working with the CASA- served youth, Morales was reminded “how fragile new Artist Yuyi Morales addresses Anna Torres shows her artwork to Christien Kafton, general assignment artists are, some of them reception attendees. reporter for NBC 11 in San Francisco, who emceed the reception. still shy about their abilities” “I’ve had a CASA volunteer for two years, and it’s changed and was inspired by “how powerful they became once they were my life,” added Torres. “She helped me out with everything, like given the opportunity to pour themselves inside out onto a finding an apartment when I emancipated from foster care.” blank piece of material.”

National CASA Is First to Receive Seal of Excellence

The National CASA Association is the first national organization to be certified by the Standards for Excellence Institute to receive the Seal of Excellence. The seal recognizes nonprofit organizations that operate with the highest standards of accountability and ethics. The voluntary certification program now provides national nonprofit organizations with the opportunity to demonstrate that the standards have been implemented by their organization. The certification recognizes superior business models for how the most well managed nonprofits operate. Since the Sarbanes- Oxley Act passed in 2002, businesses throughout the US have strived to meet the high standards of corporate accountability and transparency. Now nonprofit organizations are proactively addressing these issues. National CASA CEO Michael Piraino believes that standards certification for nonprofit organizations is critical in the United States. “We cannot expect the public to assume we are doing our jobs well,” Piraino said. “Having someone Peter Berns and Michael Piraino take an objective look at CASA can ensure that public Standards for Excellence Institute CEO Peter Berns trust in nonprofit work is well placed.” He added that the presented the Seal of Excellence to Piraino at the 2007 national organization has sought third-party quality assurance CASA conference in Orlando, remarking, “Your organization compliance opportunities since 1995. “We are a nonprofit demonstrates the best nonprofit governance and management, organization focused on advocating for children. We owe bringing to everything you do the fundamental values of it to the children we serve to make sure our organization is honesty, integrity, fairness, respect, trust, responsibility and operated effectively, efficiently and ethically.” accountability.”

Summer 2007 19 book club

Ace of Spades By David Matthews Nonfiction, Henry Holt and Company, 2007, 303 pages Henryholt.com

Afro-American, leaving his young, all that white skin, straight teeth, fair-skinned son on his own to and blinding California sun. The navigate the rough streets of sufferings there were ephemeral Baltimore and the murky waters and slight, solvable within 30 or 60 of his cultural identity. When minutes. Things were ordered. The the pressures of classmates and world was thus and so.” community members force him to It is not until his “endless college choose which race—Black or White— years” that Matthews embarks on to claim as his own, Matthews goes what he describes as a “journeyman with the color of his skin and makes apprenticeship” into his father’s the very conscious decision to “pass” African-American world, beginning as White. to accept and even seek his father’s As Matthews shares in an online knowledge about Black history. interview: “Passing is and was, Ironically, by the time that a 30- for anyone who does it, an active something Matthews decides to choice. For me, White meant a embrace his father’s legacy and the better life. White people were rich, “richness of my tapestry,” few people Black people were poor. Cops liked believe him. Ace of Spades is a brutally honest, White people; they arrested Black autobiographical account of a people…. I conflated race and class, For a list of thought-provoking biracial boy’s struggle to answer which is a logical conflation in this questions to enhance your own reading the frequently posed question: country, still.” or a discussion by your book group, see What are you? While you may Afternoons and evenings watching henryholt.com/readingguides/ find this a challenging book, it is television with his paternal matthews.htm. unquestionably thought-provoking— grandmother reinforce Matthews’s whether you discuss it with others ideas of what the White world could or simply use it to examine your own hold for him. Together, he and his values around race. grandmother spend many hours in Author David Matthews’s father is the company of Marcus Welby, MD, What books are you reading? Gomer Pyle, USMC, Andy Griffith and a Black activist; his White, Jewish Have you read a book that inspired, mother flees the family and the other distant role models. motivated or enlightened you about country shortly after his birth. “My TV showed me every day that issues in child welfare? Send your Following her departure, the boy is there was a world out there where book suggestions for future CASA raised by his father and a changing White people ran everything, so Book Club features along with com- cast of “mothers” in a series of I figured if I just bided my time, ments and reflections on the book dilapidated homes in inner-city my day would come,” continues to [email protected]. Baltimore. Matthews in the online interview. Put “CASA Book Club Suggestion” in Matthews’s father spends many “Television was the world in which the title of your message. of his waking hours at work as the I felt most at home. There was a managing editor of the Baltimore homogeneity of peoples and places,

20 resources for foster youth

Maintaining Contact with Siblings

According to the Child Welfare including websites, books and articles. Part of 123 Adoption.com, Information Gateway, approximately The childwelfare.gov website is a good Adoption Reunion (adoption- 75% of the 500,000 children in foster starting point for resource information. reunion.com) provides suggestions care are separated from at least one Founded in 1978, the American and rules of etiquette for reunions sibling. CASA volunteers often advocate Adoption Congress comprises between adoptees and birth relatives for siblings to be placed together individuals, families and organizations as well as a library of resources, a or—failing that—work to ensure that committed to adoption reform. It chat room, a subscribers’ list, forums siblings remain in regular contact. At represents those whose lives are touched and stories. the recent national CASA conference, by adoption or other loss of family The International Soundex former foster youth Conception Cuevas continuity. Although it is not a search Reunion Registry (isrr.net) is a shared the important role that her CASA organization, it supports the right of nonprofit, humanitarian agency that volunteer played in keeping her siblings all affected by adoption to decide for offers a mutual consent, free reunion together after the children were placed themselves whether and when to search. registry for persons desiring a reunion in different homes: “If it wasn’t for Its web page, americanadoptioncongress. with next-of-kin. This agency serves Erica making sure that my sisters and org/search.htm, provides referrals to the needs of family members who I visited each other on a regular basis, search and support groups within each have been separated from each other we would not have the bond that we state. It also includes a collection by adoption, divorce, foster care, have today.” of articles, databases, forums and institutional care, abandonment, etc. Sometimes in the absence of a CASA references, with links to other websites Reunion.com is a free online volunteer, or in spite of their efforts, that may be useful to searchers working search engine that helps people children do lose contact with their on their own. reconnect with friends and family. siblings. The following resources are The Adoptees’ Liberty Movement For separated siblings who have provided for guidance on the topic Association has been reuniting family not lost contact, Camp to Belong of locating lost siblings. Please note members for more than 35 years. Go to (camptobelong.org) is a nonprofit that many of the “reunion registry” almasociety.org for information, stories summer camp dedicated to reunit- sites require that individuals register- and registration. ing brothers and sisters separated in ing for a search must be at least 18 Adoption Search and Reunion foster care. Each summer, more than years of age. In some cases, adoptive (adoptionsearcher.com) is a fee-based 700 children are reunited with their parents may register on behalf of their adoption search service that specializes siblings during a week at Camp to adopted children. Many of the following in California adoption services. Belong-affiliated camps. resources can also be used to search for birth parents. Searching for Birth Relatives (childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_search.cfm), a fact sheet for families, was published in 2004 by Child Welfare Information Gateway. It provides guidance on the search process and information access as well as resources for further help in conducting a successful search. While not a complete “how to” guide to searching, this fact sheet provides information on the decision to search, steps in the search process, hiring a professional searcher, international searching and reunion issues. In ad- dition, it provides a list of resources

Summer 2007 21 child welfare news

Negotiating the Curves Toward (2) fostering children’s well-being; Aging Out and On Their Own: More Employment: A Guide About Youth (3) supporting children’s families; and Teens Leaving Foster Care Without Involved in the Foster Care System (4) promoting permanence. a Permanent Family Implications for improved child welfare This guide from the National In 2005, more than 24,000 teens left practice are offered. From springerlink. Collaborative on Workforce and foster care without a safe, permanent com, search for “review children’s.” Disability builds upon their family of their own. This report from the Kids Are Waiting project presents Guideposts for Success, which details The Value of Adoption research on what all youth, includ- state-by-state data on the rising ing youth with disabilities, need to This report from American University numbers of youth aging out without successfully transition to adulthood. shows that the human services cost a permanent family and describes the This new publication applies the of adoption is about half the cost of challenges they face. Download the guideposts to meeting the needs of long-term foster care for children whose report at kidsarewaiting.org/reports/ birth parents’ rights have been termi- youth in foster care with and without files/AgingOut.pdf. nated. Because adoption is an effective disabilities. The Guide also provides intervention for improving a variety of Identifying Immigrant Families facts and statistics about youth outcomes for those Involved with Child Welfare exposed to adverse Systems childhood experiences, The population of children of im- the total savings migrants is growing rapidly, as over to government in one-fifth of all US children have at least areas such as special one immigrant parent. Social service education and criminal systems such as child welfare are justice is of the same encountering large and increasing num- magnitude as the bers of these children, but there is little child welfare savings. hard data on the system involvement The private benefit of children of immigrants. The first to adopted children three briefs in the Identifying Immigrant in terms of additional Families Involved with Child Welfare Systems income earned over series provide some of the first data their working lives is on first- and second-generation Latin similar. In all, a dollar American immigrant children in out-of- involved in the foster care system; spent on the adoption of a child from home care in Texas. To read the briefs, gives examples of states and com- foster care yields about three dollars in go to urban.org and search for “identi- munities that are changing policy and benefits. From american.edu, search for fying immigrant.” practices; identifies areas requiring “value adoption.” further attention by policymakers and providers of services; and identifies National Conference Focuses on resources and tools to assist cross- Protecting Children and Promoting system collaborative efforts. From Healthy Families ncwd-youth.info, search for “Curves.” In April, more than 1,600 profes- sionals attended “Protecting Children, A Response to No One Ever Promoting Healthy Families, and Asked Us: A Review of Children’s Preserving Communities,” the 16th Experiences in Out-of-Home Care National Conference on Child Abuse This review in the February Child and Neglect, sponsored by the Office and Adolescent Social Work Journal on Child Abuse and Neglect within provides an overview of almost two the Children’s Bureau, Administration dozen studies examining children’s on Children, Youth and Families, experiences of care. Findings from stud- US Department of Health and ies involving interviews with current Human Services. Find information and former foster youth are reviewed in about the conference, including relation to four child welfare goals: the full program, at childwelfare. (1) protecting children from harm; gov/calendar/cbconference/sixteenth/.

22 Green Cards Go Unclaimed by Many Chance,” in Chicago from October [Top Tips for Volunteers continued from page 13] Youth in Foster Care 20 to 23. Nearly 3,000 educators, Some undocumented children who administrators, human service are abused, neglected or dependent are providers, policymakers, parents and As I had expected, the calculations eligible for legal status, but many do researchers will meet to share best behind the rhythm of the dance steps and the beat of the music enamored not understand the law. An article in practices and models for improving her. These days, she is trying to fulfill the Los Angeles Times discusses what the lives of African-American children her goal of visiting people in each state and families. Over 150 workshops and is being done to help. You can access of the US. the article by registering for free at seminars will be conducted by leaders latimes.com and searching for “green in the field. For more information, search 4. Critical Thinking Towards cards unclaimed.” for “2007 conference” at nbcdi.org. Independence Help youth build their critical thinking A Plan for Investing in Successful skills when they are around you. For Futures for Foster Youth example, if you take the child to a movie—or even watch it separately— The Foster Care Work Group is one ask questions like “Why do you think it of three work groups of the Youth ended as it did?” or “How do you think Transitions Funders Group (ytfg.org), a it could have been made better?” This collaboration of leaders from founda- will help youth form and voice their tions dedicated to improving the opinions while respecting those of lives of our nation’s most vulnerable others. I’ve found that this exercise young people. The work group brings invariably makes children rebel initially. “Why do you keep asking me together leaders with a shared interest ‘Why’?” But over time, they become in preparing youth in foster care for empowered and tell me their opinions their transition out of the child welfare voluntarily. system and providing them pathways to lifelong economic well-being. The To end where we started, Anna, who group’s 2004 publication Connected by barely spoke English two years ago, just 25: A Plan for Investing in Successful received a certificate of appreciation National Black Child Development Futures for Foster Youth makes the case for her service on the student council Institute Conference Coming in for a bold agenda for foundation and at school. Moreover, because of her October government investment in helping insistence on participating at her court The National Black Child Develop- foster youth become economically suc- hearings, the judge now considers her ment Institute will present its 37th cessful adults. From financeproject.org, availability before scheduling a hearing annual conference, “The Journey select “Publications” and then search date. Anna’s ability to think critically is key Continues: Giving Our Children a for “investing futures.” to her growing independence.

GET CONNECTED! The National CASA Assocation hosts several websites of interest to anyone who values promoting and supporting quality volunteer advocacy to help assure each child a safe, permanent, nurturing home. Visit the following sites to learn more.

NationalCASA.org CASAnet.org ShopCASA.org The National CASA website is one of CASAnet is designed to meet the needs A broad assortment of support materi- the strongest resources for recruiting of CASA program staff and volunteers, als and CASA/GAL promotional items is new volunteers and supporters for including the advocate’s library, program available through the ShopCASA site. state and local CASA/GAL programs. tools, updated information on national ini- The website contains volunteer stories tiatives and other material for download. along with information on recruitment, public NationalCASA.org/JudgesPage relations activities, news This webpage is dedicated to judges who and donating to National hear child welfare cases. Content is valu- CASA. able to other child advocates as well.

Summer 2007 23 program news

Pointers from Programs

A Night in CASAblanca McGraw kicked off the evening’s serve as a fundraiser for the organiza- CASA Lake County, Deerfield, IL fundraising by auctioning a trip to tion. Activities include performances California to see a taping of his televi- by national children’s recording artists, sion show, including airfare, hotel, a “creation stations” with craft activities studio tour and lunch in the commis- for children and families, face painting, sary. However, when the pledge of the balloon twisting and caricatures, local successful bidder was quickly matched talent shows and a raffle. CASA Kidstock by another, McGraw graciously added is produced through a partnership with a second trip. And he matched those Kidstock, Inc., a subsidiary of Dream donations with a gift of $22,500 from Team Marketing, Inc. More than 10,000 the Dr. Phil Foundation. Another high people have participated in the event point of the evening was when philan- since it began in 2005. thropist Robert F. Reusche received the Terri Zenner Greenberg Award for his Make Time for Kids outstanding service to children and the Clockmakers Auction Chaves County CASA Program, Lake County community. In his accep- Roswell, NM tance remarks, he urged the guests to give their greatest gift—their time and Chaves County CASA Program their talent—by volunteering. has found a unique, artistic way to successfully raise funds. Held at the CASA Kidstock Anderson Museum, the Make Time for Kids Sioux Falls Area CASA Program, SD event attracted some 600 people and Sioux Falls Area CASA’s annual CASA raised approximately $27,000. Artists, Dr. Phil McGraw with Program Director Terri Kidstock gives the program an op- craftspeople, Boy Scouts and community Greenberg portunity to promote prevention and members were invited to create and awareness of child abuse and neglect, donate unique clocks for the benefit, The gala theme of A Night in increase awareness of the CASA pro- sponsored by Taylor Orthodontics. More CASAblanca was “An Evening Under gram, recruit potential volunteers and than 100 clocks in all sizes and shapes the Stars.” It was also an evening to remember because it successfully raised $150,000 to fund the services of CASA Lake County. Co-chaired by Susan Ahern and Suzy Palmer, who are both CASA volunteers and members of the CASA Lake County board, the gala had many memorable moments. But the highlight was the appearance of Dr. Phil McGraw, best known as host of Dr. Phil. McGraw touched the guests’ hearts when he spoke about his own impoverished childhood, the football coach who inspired him to change his life and his belief that it is the responsibility of all Americans to protect and invest in the well-being of all children. Recognizing that children need to have caring and concerned adults in their lives, McGraw praised the work done by CASA volunteers. Kidstock

24 Caring for CASA: A Day of Beauty & You’re Only Young Once CASA of New Jersey, Trenton, NJ Over 100 people participated in CASA of New Jersey’s first multi-county Caring for CASA: A Day of Beauty & You’re Only Young Once fundraisers on June 3. Demonstrating that beauty is more than skin deep, participants brought out their inner beauty to benefit their local CASA programs, raising approximately $17,000 to help children. Six salons donated all of the proceeds from their hair, skin and nail services that day to help displaced children find beauty in their lives. David Crescenzo, owner of Utopia Event emcee T. Calder Ezzell, Jr., Executive Director Carrie-Leigh Cloutier and board member Andi Smith (with Lady of Guadalupe clock to the right) Salon & Day Spa, which benefited CASA of Cumberland, Gloucester & Salem were donated and auctioned to fund the Counties, said that although there are CASA program’s services. a lot of deserving causes, the salon is especially excited about supporting In addition to the silent auction CASA: “What better cause than to help of clocks, “Make Time” Packages the local community and the local chil- were raffled, including hot air bal- dren. I am especially proud of our staff loon rides, golf and spa treatments. of 30 employees. Nearly 100% of them There were also higher-priced live donated their time and share our vision auction items such as “Make Time of giving back to the community.” CASA for the Cowboys”—four donated box of Ocean County even gained two new seats and hotel room for any Cowboys volunteers, the owner of Bonitas Salon game. Sports memorabilia actually and Nail Design and a client! The other made the most money. For example, CASA programs and salons were Bergen an official Bears helmet signed by Brian Urlacher with a clock set into County CASA (Salon 5 and Spa), CASA its mouth guard was auctioned for of Atlantic & Cape May Counties (Abella $4,000. Carrie-Leigh Cloutier, execu- Salon & 401 West Salon) and CASA of tive director, said that it is an easy Camden County (Belliards Spa). and fun event, one that many com- CASA programs also had the privilege munity organizations could replicate. Joan McGill, board member and CASA volunteer; of having television actress Jennifer Mary Beth Marsden, event emcee and WMAR Ferrin (of As The World Turns and A Harvest of Hope for Children news anchor; Patrick Russell of Kooper’s Tavern; and Candace Humphrey, board president Dawson’s Creek) as their celebrity CASA of Baltimore County, MD spokesperson. She said, “The beauty CASA of Baltimore County’s annual Russell either donates or secures of life lies in its endless possibilities, signature event, A Harvest of Hope for donations of all food and beverages but for thousands of displaced children Children, has become a very popular for the event, which has raised more these possibilities are limited. I so event in a community that is not at a than $120,000 over the past three admire the CASA volunteers who not loss for fundraisers. The event’s success years. This year, more than 250 guests only give these children a voice in is fueled by the generous support enjoyed an evening of wonderful food, court, but also a world of possibilities of donors including Patrick Russell, exceptional entertainment and a silent that having a stable home and nurtur- owner of Kooper’s Tavern in Fells Point. auction. ing family offers.”

[continued on page 26]

Summer 2007 25 [Program News continued from page 25]

Annual Piano Concert Benefits CASA Program Awards & Recognition CASA of Knox County, IL Kirk Grugel, Off the Newswire On a recent Sunday afternoon, CASA coordina- young pianists filled a church in tor for Navajo The Daily Ledger of Canton, IL Galesburg, IL with music to benefit County, was CASA of Knox County and FISH of named Arizona covered the annual Fulton County Galesburg, a food pantry serving Superior Court CASA banquet. Executive Director residents in need. It was the 13th Administration/ Bonnie Krulac recognized all annual Piano Playathon, which Justice Courts CASA volunteers, including the featured the talents of some 50 local Employee of program’s first advocate, Mary Ann piano students ages 5 and up. The the Year. He Klindworth, who is still active. students played a diverse program received a Special guest speaker Tom Maas, a ranging from Mary Had a Little Lamb framed certifi- Farmington attorney, spoke about to Chopin’s Preludes. During the cate and prize how social problems found in big program, the public made donations presented by cities can also be found in rural Navajo County of cash to CASA of Knox County and Fulton County. “As life lessons and food items to FISH. Manager Jimmy a sense of self are provided by Jayne. “This recognition is not for According to Mary Gibbs, one of the the family, protecting such ties is me,” said Grugel, “it goes to all CASA participating piano teachers, these important in court,” he said. Maas piano recitals are held in part so that volunteers in Navajo County.” also indicated that Illinois was students have “a chance to play for Malia Kishore of Great Falls, VA, was the first state to adopt a juvenile each other and in public outside of a given a Volunteer Service Award at the act for the protection of children. formal recital. It’s not too stressful and 2007 Fairfax County Volunteer Service it’s a good experience for them.” But He concluded by saying, “There is beyond the musical goal, both teachers Awards. Kishore is a CASA volunteer no greater reward than to make a and students also decide on an appro- with Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of difference in someone’s life.” priate charity. This also instills in the Northern Virginia. She has given 700 students a chance to do something for volunteer hours and advocated for 23 The Register-Guard of Eugene, the community. This is the first time children during her 10 years at SCAN. OR described the CASA volunteer that the CASA program was selected to Her experi- work of Don Wilson, a retired benefit from the event. Debbie Strauch, ence with professor, who “has seen things CASA advocate and board president, SCAN in- that could shatter his faith in said that the funds will support volun- spired her to humankind.” He works diligently start her own teer training. with victimized children because nonprofit he knows that he may be that organization, child’s first-ever male role model. the Foster Wilson said, “In my experience,

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26 30th Anniversary Conference Sponsors

National CASA thanks the Office of Juvenile Justice and Premier Sponsors Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), Newmont Mining Corporation, Casey Family Programs, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Wendy’s International Foundation, Inc., the Associate Sponsor Coca-Cola Company and Office Depot for their generous support of the National CASA Conference, which brought more than 1,400 attendees Affiliate Sponsors together to strengthen our ability to improve the lives of abused and neglected children.

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Summer 2007 27 donors

The National CASA Association gratefully acknowledges the generosity of those who made honor or memorial gifts between November 1, 2006 and May 31, 2007.

In honor of In honor of Antonia Nicklaus – Jan Looney In honor of Kelly Agnese Richburg – Kevin Agnese, Keith Kelly, In honor of Major Michael “Emo” Emons – Cara Viglucci Lopez Ernest Richburg In honor of Victoria Wilson – Caroline Lowe In honor of Nadja Christian – Morgan P. Appel In honor of Ashley, Sara and Grace – Pamela McBride In honor of Clemi Arbaugh – Josh Arbaugh In honor of William McConnell – Tim McConnell In honor of Joyce and Ron Honeyman – Florence Ashby and Laird Anderson, In honor of Diane Sawyer, Chris Cuomo, Robin Roberts, Bill Weir, Kate Snow, Gretchen and Aaron Clark, Judith Harrison and JoLynne McGee Elizabeth Vargas, John Stossel, John Quinones, Cynthia McFadden, In honor of Bill Corwin – Sheilah and Perry Ashley, Joseph and Sam Champion, David Westin, Roger Goodman, Marysol Castro, Melissa Brenner, Sally Wilson Erny, Jane and Steve Lewis, Nancy Pitkofsky Ron Claiborne – Phyllis McGrady In honor of Bette Baer and Harriett Schwartz – Michael Baer In honor of Allison Barnum – Sally Jeanne McKenna In honor of Brian Baum – Dawn, Karen, Marge and Judy Baum In honor of Carl and Carol Meyertons – Eric B. Meyertons In honor of the Melzer Family, the Brandenburg Family, the Sasaki Family, In honor of Heidi Moore – Jackie Mortenson Tre Carle, the Mehler Family, Carol Collette, Julie Goran and Jordan, In honor of Kelly Wolf – Kristian Ording the Lee-Chin Family, Mike Bird and Max Bird, the Krugel Family In honor of M.C. and Lana Wingate – Linda B. Parks – Robin Baxter In honor of Ken and Lucia White – Mary-Louise G. Piner In honor of Marla Jones – Todd M. Beaubien In honor of Adam Polansky – Adam Polansky In honor of Katherine Becker – John Becker In honor of Paula Burroughs – Barbara Polk In honor of Michele Hilland – Rick Bisceglie In honor of Edward Daner – Jalene Potter In honor of Lisa Crawley and Julie Cason – Dana C. Buford, Donald Isham In honor of Al Raulerson – Anne Raulerson In honor of Mary Casale – Katherine P. Casale In honor of Cyndie Spitzer – Elizabeth Ryan In honor of Chanda Cashen’s Grandparents – Richard A. Cashen In honor of Ruth Scheuer’s 80th Birthday – Marylyn and Eliot Scheuer In honor of Ball Don’t Lie – Karissa Chen In honor of Dale and Sue Riggins – Jennifer Schrader In honor of Ron Corbell – Paula K. Dawson In honor of Connie & Jamie Sherman – Kevin and Julie Sherman In honor of Tom and Jenny Verghese – Alexis U. Dennis In honor of Sid Schwartz – Silver Crest Farms, Inc. In honor of Kit Doerr – Rick Doerr In honor of Margaret Smith – Allyson Smith In honor of Drew, Dena, Robert and Curtis Heberlich – Susan D. Edelheit In honor of Jim Milliman – Jacqueline A. Smith In honor of Debbie Wheeler – Kristi Emmons In honor of Susan Grant – Nonny Soifer In honor of Rick Hornick – Holli Estridge In honor of Amy Spector – Anne Spector In honor of Janet Watts - Thomas and Virginia Etheredge In honor of Cleo and Jake Davis – Jana L. Stover In honor of Kim Busker – Stephanie Evans In honor of Elizabeth, Sarah and Nicholas – Christine and Bill Stransky In honor of Debbie and Jim Osterholt – Matilda Evoy-Mount In honor of Michael and Eileen Heaton – Bill and Carla Swedish In honor of Sophia Dufflar – Michelle Marie Finet In honor of Britt Banks – Shane and Carol Swindle In honor of Sonny and Mary Anna Hutchison – Finocorp, Inc. In honor of Thomas C. Quail, Jr. – Therese Tomiello In honor of Cindy Loustalot – Kathryn Ford In honor of Ashlee and Matt Traynor – Anna Lee Traynor In honor of Yogeeta and Chris Gamper – Harriet E. Gamper In honor of Marti Green – Teniell Trolian In honor of Ann Wiitala – Todd C. Gentry In honor of Ethan – Sandra Ulrich In honor of Susan Crane – Susan Goldstein In honor of Kris Gonzales – Jean Veldwyk In honor of Dr. Julie Magri – Paula Grimm In honor of Dan Vogel – Christian S. Vogel In honor of Dale and Carolyn Wilson – Devan L. Gunderson-Tindall In honor of all of the children – Walsh Screen & Window Inc. In honor of Suzie O’Hair – Jennifer B. Hair In honor of Renne Bilson – Lucille Webb In honor of Paige Murray – Jamia Hansen-Murray In honor of Amelia Stratigos – Alexia Weirich In honor of Rebecca Hartman-Baker – Laura M. Hartman In honor of Jason Pollack and Monica Holmberg – Rosalie and Larry White In honor of Shanda Luthy – Dale P. Helt In honor of Bill and Jan Biggerstaff – David Williams In honor of the Lees – Barron H. Henderson In honor of Lois Ware – Hester D. Willis In honor of the Stafford Family – Bruce Hermansen and Kathryn Mason In honor of Jack and Roberta Williamson – Linda and Bob Wilson In honor of Becky Needham – Alicia High In honor of Ann Winsor – Ellen Winsor In honor of Ann Burds – Shirley L. Hoefer In honor of Dani Smith – Sharon Wolf In honor of Mary Lou Caldwell – Susan Holloway In honor of Rachel and Kevin Wolfram – Lynn E. Wolfram In honor of the Rudes’ Anniversary, the Clarks’ Anniversary and the Honeymans’ Anniversary – Joyce and Ron Honeyman In memory of In honor of Mr. and Mrs. Werner Kramarsky – Mary and Post Howland In memory of Irvin Carter, Jr. – Terene Bennett and Dorothy D. Bass In honor of Molly Chrein – Andrew Hyman In memory of Rosalie Deekles Smith – Terene Bennett, M. Carmela Welte In honor of Diane and Robert Greenlee – James Keller In memory of Addie Kate Owens – Connie Bischoff In honor of Matt Darnall – Kathleen Kiernan In memory of Dr. and Mrs. William Martin – Patricia Martin Bishop In honor of Jason and Jennifer Feinberg – Leslie Kopel In memory of Jane Runyun – Julie Black In honor of Cheryl and David Jessup – Sarah Kraft In memory of Dr. Arnold Gully – Sally Coffman In honor of Christina Giovannelli – Kathleen M. Krais In memory of Donald DiTullio – John DiTullio In honor of Sharon Wilkes – Blakeney Kurad In memory of Mommy Razzy – Zeina Do In honor of Luke Andrew Lemons – Holly Lemons In memory of Martin Loughlin – Camille M. Duffy In honor of Bob Daniel – Lori B. Lipsitz In memory of Aunt Mary – Ed Fernandez [Continued on page 29]

28 Connection sightings Machu Picchu

LeRoy and Jean Rogers, former professors at Washington State University, retired to Dallas, Oregon. But having lived in different parts of the world because of their professional backgrounds, they still enjoy travel. On this last trip they went to Machu Picchu in Peru with a copy of The Connection! The Rogers became volunteers at CASA of Polk County almost three years ago and have had numerous cases, either as co-CASA volunteers or individually.

Where do you take The Connection? Send us a photo of you or Send photos (min. 4” x 6”) to: someone you know reading The Connection in a unique or interesting The Connection location. Since the Connection staff is especially interested in National CASA Association 100 W. Harrison comments from readers, submissions including feedback about the North Tower, Suite 500 publication are most welcome. Whether you are on an airplane or in Seattle, WA, 98119 a courthouse waiting room, help spread the word about this amazing or email high resolution photos (300 dpi scanned at 4” x 6” way to advocate for children by telling others about the CASA/GAL size) to [email protected]. Include your name, cause. Pass along your copy of The Connection. address, phone number, email address and photo location.

[Donors continued from page 28]

In memory of Grant Tanner – Ed and Erin Finklea, Steven Greenwald In memory of Elizabeth Pero O’Neil – Public Defender’s Office In memory of Razavieh Navabinejad – Fraser Ghezel In memory of Carlee A. Wines – Sal Rizza In memory of Ann Drennan – Lorna Hurwitz In memory of Marty Wilson – Joni Tamalonis In memory of Jesse B. Lewis – Kathy Lewis-Aucreman In memory of Marjorie Weesner – Harold Weesner In memory of Carol Oakley – Robert M. Looney In memory of Heather Greene Deyerle – Moe and Betsy Whitaker In memory of Virginia Luther – Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. In memory of Brittany F. Trivett – Teri Willrick In memory of William Westerman – Christopher N. Miller In memory of Bill Beck – Lynn E. Wolfram In memory of Dianna Myers – William Pearson In memory of Mae Margaret Nettles Van Loon – Nancy N. Zearfoss In memory of Holly Pitts – Lynda, Larry and Phyllis Pitts

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Created with EclipseCrossword - www.eclipsecrossword.com ACROSS DOWN 4. Opposite of expense 1. Great expectations; Light of _____ 6. Maltreatment 2. Relating to a country as an organized whole 8. A place where justice is administered 3. Transparent material that forms an image from the rays of 9. The more things ___, the more they stay the same light passing through it 11. Where they can’t turn you away 5. Mother (informal) 13. Measurable information 7. When a population is overrepresented in a particular group 14. Second most popular acronym related to volunteer advocacy 9. Acronym related to volunteer advocacy for abused children for abused children 10. Opposite of temporary 18. Having a flat or even surface 12. Male parent 20. Female parent 15. Bring to a successful end; accomplish 21. Relating to a Spanish-speaking people or culture; 16. Recognized or enforced by law synonymous with Latino in some circles 17. American ______/Alaska Native 22. Nonprofit governing body (for short) 19. Door used in leaving 24. Complete, whole, undivided, as in a family 23. A female child in relation to her parents 25. Numerals 26. A young man 32. A male child in relation to his parents 27. Free from danger, risk or injury 33. Opposite of foe 28. Father (informal) 35. A young woman 29. Make a priority, concentrate upon; also used in photography 36. A public officer who decides cases in a court of law 30. 28th state, located in south-central US 37. Gender underrepresented among CASA volunteers 31. Habitual lack of care 38. Discrimination against or intolerance of people of another race 34. Caucasian 39. Cohort; ____ pressure 40. State of protection, making provision for; given by parents/guardians Solution on page 26. 41. Elements that figure into a result (2 and 4 are ____ of 8)

Summer 2007 31 closing words

Help Wanted: More African- American Advocates Judge Glenda A. Hatchett responsibility of advocates representing the child’s best interests to offer them the guidance and tools necessary for them to succeed. For children of color especially, this means helping them to maintain or gain a sense of cultural identity. Such an understanding is a critically important tool for all children—whether they are in foster care or not. It is even more important for displaced children who have lost their hen I walk around my Atlanta neighborhood, or through foundations of family, friends, neighborhood and school. Wthe aisles of the local supermarket, I see a spectrum of Regardless of your own race and ethnicity, you can help a people of many colors and ethnicities. But when I walked into child connect to his culture. my courtroom in the Fulton County Juvenile Court every day to All children need heroes. But for so many kids today, preside over dependency hearings, the spectrum narrowed. especially African-American boys, heroes are distant Studies show that African-American families are not more figures—sports players or rap stars. They are people who likely to abuse or neglect their children. Yet, for reasons are out of reach, people boys see on television or hear on that we don’t seem to be able to completely explain, the radio. CASA volunteers are real-life heroes to children in children of color, particularly African-American children, are need of role models; they provide hope in otherwise hopeless overrepresented in the foster care system. Today African- situations. As legions of CASA volunteers demonstrate every American children represent 15% of the general population day, caring adults of all races and ethnicities successfully but 35% of the children in foster care. serve as role models for our For me, this reality raises two ques- children. But for some children tions: Why are African-American youth As legions of CASA volunteers of color, a CASA volunteer of so overrepresented? and What can we demonstrate every day, caring adults of all their own race may give them do to help? One of my theories is that races and ethnicities successfully serve as something extra: someone to connect to, someone to aspire the problem of “disproportionality” is role models for our children. But for some rooted in the issue of poverty. Many to be like, someone to talk children of color, a CASA volunteer of their African-American children live in pov- to, someone who understands erty in this country, and I think that own race may give them something extra: who they are—who also from time to time the line gets blurred someone to connect to, someone to aspire looks like them. Their innate between poverty and neglect. I have to be like, someone to talk to, someone cultural understanding allows volunteers of color to provide had occasion to ask social workers in who understands who they are—who also my courtroom: Is this child neglected, an extra layer of support and looks like them. or is this whole family a victim of nurturing to displaced children. severe poverty? In some of those cases, The catch is that there are I truly believed that what may have simply not enough volunteers of appeared to be an issue of neglect was in reality one of color—and particularly male, African-American volunteers—to poverty. This experience has been the exception and not the go around. So my message to all volunteers is that as rule, but I do think that the underlying issue of poverty has important as your CASA work is and as grateful as we are to driven a disproportionate number of African-Americans into you for bringing your heart and talent to this work, I have the child welfare system. one more assignment for you: Spread the word—because we While I have promoted a variety of “diversion” efforts to need to encourage more people like you to become volunteers. address the problem of overrepresentation by keeping kids And who better to recruit new volunteers than someone who out of the system, my life’s work is more closely involved understands how truly important this work is? with responding to the second question: How can we help The Honorable Glenda A. Hatchett is a nationally recognized authority on juvenile those children and youth already in the system? And of issues perhaps best known for her award-winning series Judge Hatchett and her course that is where CASA volunteers come in. It is the book Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say!

32 ShopCASA.org

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Fred Meyer/Littman Jewelers will donate $10 from the sale of each pendant to National CASA for its work with local programs in recruiting, training and supporting volunteers.

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Tell Us What You Think! Help Determine the Future of The Connection

Is The Connection providing the timely information you need about volunteer advocacy and other important To complete the survey, go to nationalcasa.org/survey.asp child welfare issues? National CASA wants your input to guide us in before October 31, 2007. planning the future of our quarterly magazine. If you would prefer to fi ll out Please take 10 minutes to complete an online survey that will help us better a paper survey, please call understand your needs as a reader. You will be entered into a drawing with (800) 628-3233, ext. 207 and one will be mailed to you. three chances to win a $50 gift certifi cate to ShopCASA.

Spring 2007 Non-Profi t Org. U.S. Postage P A I D National Court Appointed Lancaster, PA Permit No. 308 Special Advocate Association 100 West Harrison Street North Tower, Suite 500 Seattle, WA 98119-4123