2016 Board of Directors: CASA of Oklahoma County, Inc
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@CASAofOKCo /casaofokco /CASAofOKCounty CASA of Oklahoma County, Inc. 5905 N Classen Court, Suite 302 Oklahoma City, OK, 73118 O: 405-713-6456 F: 405-713-6610 www.okcountycasa.org A Member of the National CASA Association & the Oklahoma State CASA Association. Partner Agency Code 7051 Mission CASA of Oklahoma County provides trained court-appointed volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused or neglected children in the juvenile court system. 2015-2016 Board of Directors: CASA of Oklahoma County, Inc. Pam Lane, President Jennifer Arlan Jack Morgan Tim Baker, Vice President Rick Ault Dr. Sumeeta Nanda Mike Johnson, Treasurer James Bennett Jessica Ramirez Amy Spring, Secretary Lori Blumenthal Katie Say Keith Carter Stacy Scheffler Jamie Farha Deborah Shropshire, MD Michelle Kelley Joni Stewart Adelaide Liedtke Connie Weber David Mobley 2016-2017 Board of Directors: CASA of Oklahoma County, Inc. Tim Baker, President Jennifer Arlan Jack Morgan Amy Spring, Vice President Rick Ault Dr. Sumeeta Nanda Mike Johnson, Treasurer James Bennett Jessica Ramirez Katie Say, Secretary Jennifer Chrysant Becky Roten Jamie Farha Stacy Scheffler Michelle Kelley Deborah Shropshire, MD Pam Lane Joni Stewart David Mobley Scott Witt Staff Lee Ann Limber, Executive Director Advocate Supervisors Joy Short, Executive Assistant Kathy Swift Kadion Lilly, Development Director Kimberly Vanbebber Ron Scharton, Business Manager Leigh Ann Smothers Alex Corbitt, Advocate Recruiter Lola Hall Gadd Clotiel Howard, Training Coordinator Melissa Chapman Michelle Gantt, Program Manager Shamekka Marion-Johns BC Phillips, Communications Manager Sylvia DePriest Eddie Porter, Director of Operations & Special Projects Advocate Supervisor/Practicum Program Debra Clour, Preceptor Kristy Cook, Data Entry Clerk Kay Ray, Contract CPA A letter from the Executive Director y the end of Fiscal Year 2016, CASA of Oklahoma County (CASAofOKCO) saw 245 trained community volunteers give a voice and caring adult to 735 children in 326 cases. Most notably, CASAofOKCO experienced a 99% increase in the number of reunifications with biological families over FY 2015 as well as saw B reunifications exceed adoptions by 23% in FY2016. Enhanced programming and agency collaborations continue to improve opportunities for our children and families. CASAofOKCO’s Education Advocacy program trains advocates to include several research-based techniques for working successfully within the school culture. The CASEA volunteer works closely with an Educational Advocate Supervisor, who provides technical support and direction. Serving in a dual role as a mentor and advocate, the CASEA volunteer collects risk data about a child’s academic achievement (grades), attendance, and behavioral reports from teachers and through electronic portals in several school districts throughout the county. The CASEA volunteer visits with the child twice a month, visits the school and teachers once a month, visits with Foster Parents, Biological Parents, DHS Workers, Attorneys, and other parties in the case as needed. The CASEA volunteer attends all court hearings, family team conferences, placement meetings, and adoption meetings. Last year’s shelter collaboration, centered around closing of the Pauline Mayer Emergency Children’s Shelter, provides yet another vehicle to better serve our children by ensuring families have the best chance for fast and efficient services from the moment they enter the Child Welfare system. This collaboration is the project model for 50 cases focused on family reunification. The objectives of the model are to “increase the rate of safe and appropriate family reunification, improve placement stability, and decrease the likelihood of families needing further Child Welfare Services or alternative permanent plans.” In addition to focusing on the individual child’s best interests, efforts within each of these programs help to prepare children for the unique journey each will face. Lastly, but far from least, National CASA recognized CASA of Oklahoma County with their 2016 Awards of Excellence. National CASA named Oklahoma County’s Board Member, Lori Blumenthal, 2016 Board Member of the Year for her outstanding leadership and dedication to CASA of Oklahoma County. With over 900 programs and 75,000 volunteers nationally, both Lori and CASA of Oklahoma County were sincerely honored by National’s recognition of Ms. Blumenthal. It is her own experience as an advocate that has driven Ms. Blumenthal’s passion for advocacy and has bolstered her extraordinary belief in the difference a Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteer can make. At CASAofOKCO we look forward to the system improvements we all hope to see from the ongoing enhancement efforts. Whether you are the donor, who so generously supports our programming each year, or the volunteer, who has taken the CASA mission to heart and so tirelessly gives of your time and resources, we are indebted to you. Each year CASAofOKCO is able to serve the best interest of our abused and neglected children because of you. We cannot thank you enough. Respectfully, Lee Ann Limber Executive Director CASA of Oklahoma County, Inc. Logan & Ava An International CASA Success Story Logan and Ava entered foster care when their mother’s substance abuse exposed them to severe abuse and neglect. While their mother struggled with addiction, Logan’s and Ava’s lives came to a standstill. The siblings shared a mother, but came from different fathers. Through some incredible investigative work, authorities were able to find Logan’s biological father who lived in a foreign country. Reunifying the father and son would prove difficult, however. A lot of distance and red tape stood in the way. The reunification could separate the siblings from each other forever. CASA was able to assign a child advocate to the case who was a native of the very same country as Logan’s father. He quickly established a warm relationship with both siblings. Eventually the advocate helped Logan to reconnect with his father through online video conferencing. The siblings felt so comfortable with their advocate that they opened up to him about abuse taking place within their foster home. The advocate immediately reported the abuse, resulting in the children being moved to a much safer foster home. Through the tireless advocacy of the CASA volunteer, Logan was reunified with his father. Ava was legally adopted into the family as well — ensuring that the siblings would never be apart. The CASA volunteer’s critical advocacy was instrumental in helping the siblings to find the safe, permanent home and loving family that every child deserves. CASA cases come in all manners of complexity. Common among them, however, is the need for an unbiased, third-party perspective to help bring clarity about what is in the child’s best interest. Successes are sometimes small and other times monumental. Logan and Ava’s case shows just how impactful a child advocate can be. CASA volunteers are changing children’s lives on a daily basis — as evidenced by some of our more celebrated moments in 2016. Stability & Adoption Charlee’s CASA volunteer has been the most consistent person on her case since she came into State custody over two years ago. With no family who would care for her, Charlee’s stability was a key ongoing success encouraged and nurtured by her CASA volunteer. When adoption became a possibility, the CASA volunteer was instrumental in sorting through prospective families and helping find a home for Charlee. Just before the holidays, Charlee began a trial adoption — and she has a bright future ahead! Educational Advocacy The Juvenile Court recommended that one of CASA of Oklahoma County’s new Educational Advocates be assigned to Caden’s case. The CASEA volunteer was able to help Caden to understand the importance of earning a high school diploma. Working with the Court and DHS, the CASEA got Caden assessed and helped put together a plan for school, graduation, and beyond. Caden’s CASEA volunteer continues to work with him in areas of need and encourage him with each new success. In so many circumstances, the CASA volunteer is the consistent voice and change-maker in the lives of our children! Fiscal Year 2016 Expenses $1,145,834 total Fiscal Year 2016 Revenue $1,217,340 total Salaries $777,960 Governmental Grants $482,898 Payroll Taxes, Benefits & Training $151,659 Foundations $205,824 Professional Fees $67,455 Special Events Participation & Sponsorship $157,952 Special Events $54,804 Individuals $157,196 Occupancy Equipment & Insurance $48,973 United Way $95,063 Office Supplies & Postage $44,983 Corporations $68,439 In-kind Donations $45,489 Investment Income & Miscellaneous Revenue $4,479 Fiscal Year 2016 Functional Expenses $1,145,834 total Program Services $846,510 If there was one thing you could wish for, what would it be? Management & General Operating $125,848 Fundraising $118,673 To be with my family Special Event Direct Expenses $54,803* in a good school district. * CASA of Oklahoma County, Inc. has been the gracious beneficiary of Halliburton’s Energy for Children Sporting Clay Shoot for the last 13 years. Expenses associated with the event are included in our special CASAofOKCo child’s response to 2016 State CASA Association Surveys. event category annually. “ Our Beloved Volunteers ” Anna Acebo Melissa Carpenter Sandy Eissenstat Jeremy Hall Diana Lee Elizabeth Muller Alecia Rice Alicia Towler Ashleigh Adams Terree Connett Cassens Jennifer Emfinger Dina Hammam Cissy Lennon Lynn Murphy Nancy