December 2018

CASA of Bell &

Coryell Counties

112 North Main Street

Belton, Texas 76513

(254) 774-1881

Our dear CASA family,

As we approach the new year, we’d like to take a moment with you all to reflect on the many great memories

and successes of the previous year that each and every one of you helped bring to our local program. As many

of our avid readers and followers have noted, 2018 has served as a year of great change and remarkable growth

for CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties. To provide just a brief review of the last year, your CASA has grown in staff

with the addition of a full-time executive administration position, welcoming the talented Ms. LaTaya Moon as a

critical member of your CASA staff. Additionally, this October, we welcomed 13 new Advocates, our largest

volunteer class to date, and officially reached over 100 active volunteers supporting CASA’s mission to serve

abused and neglected children in Bell and Coryell Counties. With our dedicated continuing volunteers and the

wonderful additions we made to our family in 2018, your local CASA program has grown in our capacity to serve

a total 246 children (nearly doubling our capacity in just under two years). This is HUGE. We want you, our valued

CASA volunteers and supporters, to be proud and know that these milestones could not have been possible

without the support, involvement, and advocacy each and every one of you contribute to our program. As one

humble public servant once eloquently stated, “No one is more cherished in this world than someone who

lightens the burden of another.” It is you, the cherished CASA volunteer and supporter, who chooses each day

to lighten the burdens of the beautiful children in our communities – who creates the most positive change and

strengthens our ability to continue the valuable service of a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children in

Bell and Coryell Counties.

During the last month, we bid farewell to our dear friend, Ms. Kelly Hardy, former Executive Director for CASA of

Bell and Coryell Counties. We are beyond grateful for all Ms. Hardy has done in her service to CASA and for

equipping our volunteers and staff with the tools we need to continue growing in our service and in our very

important mission.

While we are undoubtedly saddened to have to say goodbye to Ms. Hardy and several other child champions

that have served as our volunteers, board members, and staff over the last year who have helped us in our

mission, your Board of Directors has been hard at work during the last two months ensuring that we enter 2019

with a team not only ready, but equipped to continue this growth and ensure that 100% of children removed

from their homes and families in Bell and Coryell Counties have a champion by their sides, each step of the way,

ensuring that their voices and their right to safe, permanent, nurturing homes are heard every step of the way.

One of these new additions includes our new Executive Director. We are pleased to welcome Dawn Graves as

the Executive Director for CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties. Dawn joins CASA with over 20 years’ experience,

ranging from providing statewide financial literacy opportunities to grant-writing and management. Mrs. Graves

earned a Master’s in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance in 2009 from Western International

University in Tempe, Arizona. In her professional experience, Dawn formerly served as a consultant for Robert Half

Finance & Accounting. She also served as the Regional Director of Education, Development, and Community

Relations for Money Management International, where she was largely involved with increasing program funding

and mentoring regional directors in expanding financial education programs. Most recently, Dawn served as

Executive Director for United Way – Front Royal Warren in Front Royal, Virginia. She has one daughter who is a

Navy veteran, two bonus daughters, and 3 chocolate labs.

Thank you, Dawn, for sharing our passion to speak up for the most vulnerable children in our communities and

joining us in our mission to connect passionate volunteers with our local children that deserve a voice and a

chance. Please stop by and say hi to our new Executive Director as we enter a new year!

Karli Barger

Recruiter/Trainer

CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties

CASA Holiday

Office Hours:

The CASA office will

be closed from

Friday, December

21 until Tuesday,

December 25, 2019.

We will re-open on

Wednesday,

December 26 at

8:30 a.m. Your CASA

staff and Board of

Directors wish you

all a wonderful

holiday season!

REMINDER

Advocate

timesheets are

due on the 5th

of each month!

Make your

time count!

Kris Kringle Raffle Basket: Congratulations, Jimmy Torres!

On Saturday, December 8, CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties hosted

its annual Kris Kringle Raffle Basket drawing at the Salado Winery Co.

This year’s basket included over $3,000 of gifts donated by CASA

supporters in our communities. With the combined efforts of many

active CASA volunteers, board members, staff, and our local CASA

champion supporters, CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties was able to

raise over $3,100 that will go directly to supporting CASA’s mission of

providing quality advocacy for our local children. We would like to

thank our planning committee, donation solicitors, ticket sellers, ticket

buyers, and each and every individual who contributed to the success

of this year’s Christmas basket raffle fundraiser. The winner of this year’s

Kris Kringle Basket is Jimmy Torres, a lifetime resident of Central Texas

and Realtor/Co-Owner of Vista Real Estate. THANK YOU, Jimmy, for all you do in your community and for your

unwavering support of CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties!

CASA Christmas Giving

Greater Killeen Young Professionals’ CASA Toy Drive & Ugly Sweater Party

CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties is proud of the work our many supporters do for our local communities and the

Greater Killeen Young Professionals is one of them! The Greater Killeen Young Professionals (GKYP) formed in 2008

as a way to provide young professionals with opportunities for professional growth and to improve their local

community. This incredible group hosts monthly events for professional development, networking, and

community service. The Greater Killeen Young Professionals have remained champion CASA supporters for

several years and counting! This year, this wonderful organization hosted an Ugly Sweater Party where

participants were asked to donate one toy for children served by Bell and Coryell CASAs as the cost of entry.

With donations collected by the Greater Killeen Young Professionals, 13 children served by CASA volunteers

received needed items and gifts from their very own Christmas lists. We are thankful for your support and

appreciate all that each and every one of you do in your efforts to improve your community and for your support

of CASA volunteers!

H-E-B Adopt-A-Family Provides Christmas to 8 Children Served by CASA Not many people are familiar with the humble beginnings of H-E-B. From a small local store opened in Kerrville,

Texas with a modest $60 in 1905, H-E-B has grown into a leading supermarket chain (over 340 locations) with a

long history of charitable giving across our beautiful state. Our local H-E-B retailers have been champion CASA

supporters for 9 years and counting! On Wednesday, December 19, 11 members of the H-E-B community visited

the CASA office and donated Christmas gifts for 8 children served by CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties

volunteers. “When the H-E-B employees arrived at our office, it was truly overwhelming – just a train of green

boxes filled with beautifully wrapped gifts. I was immediately overcome with joy and appreciation for all the hard

work that went into this year’s H-E-B giving for the precious children our volunteers serve,” Karli Barger,

Recruiter/Trainer stated. Thank you, H-E-B, for providing Christmas gifts for these 8 children, bringing smiles to 8

beautiful faces, and for all you do in support of CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties volunteers and the children we

serve!

Thank You to Our Individual Gift Donors!

CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties has been truly fortunate in receiving gifts this year for the children we serve by

both large organizations and individual donors alike. Along with the needed items and gifts donated by the

Greater Killeen Young Professionals and H-E-B, we also received donated gifts from individual members of your

community and we would like to take a moment to thank each of the following groups and individuals: Eastside

Baptist Church (Copperas Cove), Ms. Chapman and friends, Carrie, Stephanie, Christine, Diana, Mike, Samantha,

Vanessa, Allison, Butch, and Vickie. A huge THANK YOU to each and every one of you, as well as our anonymous

donors, for ensuring that each and every child served by a CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties volunteer has a

memorable Christmas. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a joyful holiday season!

The Greater Killeen Young Professionals’ CASA Toy Drive/Ugly Sweater Party (December 2018)

H-E-B Christmas Giving, CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties (December 2018)

From left to right: Crofton, Stephan, Daniel, Matt, Gary, Jay, Ray, Jimmy, Rich, Dawn Graves (Executive

Director), Michele, Joe, Karli Barger (Recruiter/Trainer), and Pat.

WHO CAN BE A CASA?

If you or someone you

know has heart,

strength, and

compassion to speak

up for children, let us

know!

Court Appointed

Special Advocates

are volunteers who

pledge to give their

time to help children

journey through the

foster care system.

They speak on behalf

of a child at court

hearings and use their

voice to put the best

interests of the child

first.

If you have or know

someone that has the

qualities to give

children another

chance, let us know

by emailing

kbarger.bccasa

@outlook.com.

New CASA

Volunteer

Orientation:

January 10, 2018

5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

at the CASA office

C

A

S

A

Strengthening

the voices of

Texas

children.

Volunteer Highlights and Stories

Holly Puckett

CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties welcomed Holly Puckett as a

Court Appointed Special Advocate in June 2017. Since joining

CASA, Holly has served as an Advocate on three cases involving

three children and has done a phenomenal job in her role as a

Court Appointed Special Advocate in every case she has been assigned. CASA Supervisors

Lindsay Beaton and Vicki Israel stated that Holly is great with her case documentation,

submitting monthly documents in a timely manner, and is a great representation of the heart of

CASA. Outside of her casework, Holly has also been actively involved in CASA’s fundraising

efforts since beginning her CASA journey. CASA Supervisor Vicki Israel stated “Holly was a huge

help with our First Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K. She is such a joy to work with. It’s been a pleasure

working with her in these different capacities and I look forward to continuing to work with her.”

Holly is currently serving on the fundraising committee for our Second Annual St. Patrick’s Day 5K

and Family Fun Festival. Thank you for your service to our local children and your invaluable

support in CASA’s fundraising efforts, Holly!

Nicole Slaughter

Nicole Slaughter also joined CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties as a Court Appointed Special

Advocate in June 2017. CASA Supervisor Vicki Israel stated, “Nicole is one tough cookie and

truly a CASA warrior.” Since beginning her service, Nicole has worked two cases involving three

children and recently accepted her third case. Not only has Nicole been a star Advocate for

the children in our community, but she has also been served as a fundraising champion for our

local program as a volunteer member of the Fundraising Committee. Last year, Nicole served

as an assistant lead for our first annual CASA St. Patrick’s Day 5K and Family Fun Run. CASA

Supervisor Vicki Israel also stated, “Nicole was truly instrumental in the success of last year’s 5K

fundraiser. With her hard work, dedication, and ‘take-charge’ approach in all that she does,

CASA was able to secure sponsorships with State Farm, Extraco Banks, Jack Hilliard Distributing

Co., and many others that helped make our first 5K a huge success.” We are very excited to

announce that, this year, Nicole will continue her work with one of CASA’s largest annual

fundraisers as the Planning Committee Chair of the St. Patrick’s Day 5K and Family Fun Festival.

Thank you, Nicole, for your persistence, dedication, and choosing to be a valued member of

our CASA family each day.

If you have not yet been featured in the CASA newsletter or if you have only been briefly mentioned, we

are still waiting to hear your story! Your Recruiter/Trainer is actively seeking information from our staff, those

who have praised CASA volunteers in our communities, and from you - the CASA volunteer! If you would

like to share your story but remain anonymous, let us know! Please send us your stories or stories of your

fellow volunteers by email to Karli Barger, Recruiter/Trainer, at kbarger.bccasa@outlook.com.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Sharon Cheatum (December 8), Stacie Driver (December 20), Claire Joseph (December 16),

Nicole Slaughter (December 21), and Barbara Stabeno (December 16).

WONDERING WHO

SOME OF OUR

SUPPORTERS ARE?

Central

Texas &

Greater Fort

Hood

Bell

County

Comm.

Court

Coryell

County

Comm.

Court

THE SWALM

Foundation

The Subhani

Foundation

Frank and

Sue Mayborn

Foundation

Attention, Advocates! Let CASA Know YOU Make the Difference! CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties is excited to announce that, beginning January 2019, YOU

can earn by helping us earn! Turning in your time sheets on time each month allows CASA to

receive funding for your hard work. Beginning next month, every volunteer that submits their

time sheet by 5:00 p.m. on the 5th of the month will be automatically entered in a drawing to

win a $25 gift card. That’s right – each month you submit your time sheet on time to CASA, you

are eligible to receive a $25 prize! Your local CASA program recognizes the incredible work each

and every one of you do and we want you to be recognized for it! In order to remain eligible

each month, please submit your time sheet by either sending your signed time sheet to your

CASA supervisor (either in-person or vial email) or by dropping it off to the CASA of Bell and

Coryell Counties office in Belton. Time sheets can be returned electronically by emailing a script-

font signed copy to casa.bccasa@outlook.com, or emailing a script-font signed copy to your

CASA supervisor).

If you have questions or concerns regarding completion of your time sheets or how to submit

your documentation, contact your CASA supervisor, call (254) 774-1881, or email

casa.bccasa@outlook.com.

The winner of the $25 gift card will be announced by the 15th of each month and the winner will

be contacted via phone or email.

Please remember to not use names – only the title of the person, (i.e. teacher, doctor, CPS

worker, supervisor, child, mom, dad, foster mom, foster dad, etc.) to maintain confidentiality!

CASA of Bell & Coryell Counties

Meet Your Board of Directors

As we enter 2019, we would like to welcome 4 new members to the CASA of Bell and Coryell

Counties Board of Directors. First, Mrs. Ann Hendrix, who has served as a CASA volunteer for

CASA of Central Texas and transferred to our program earlier this year. Ann is an incredible artist

and the co-founder of a nonprofit. She will serve as the Volunteer Member of the Board

beginning in 2019. We would also like to welcome Courtney Kissel, Executive Assistant for Centex

Technologies, a company that has provided their services and expertise to your CASA staff time

and again. Janice Peronto, Executive Director of Special Education for the Killeen Independent

School District, will be joining our Board in January 2019. Last, but not least, we would like to

welcome Becky Montgomery. Becky currently serves as an organist for the First Baptist Church

of Temple. We are excited to welcome each and every one of you in your new roles and look

forward to working with you in our mission of advocacy for our local children in the year ahead!

Please see below for a full list of your 2019 CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties Board of Directors

and officers.

CASA of Bell and

Coryell Counties

thanks the

following

businesses for

your Kris Kringle

Basket donations

and for being

champion CASA

supporters!

Would you like to know more about our fabulous Board of Directors? Each month, CASA

of Bell and Coryell Counties features one member of our Board to shine light on their

roles, backgrounds, and experience with CASA. This month, we would like you to meet

our new Board Vice President for 2019, Ms. Lee Ann Deal!

December 2018: Lee Ann Deal My mother was considered a “Pied Piper” when it came to young

children. I think it was her quiet demeanor and warm smile that made

them feel safe and eager to approach her. Once they interacted with

her, they knew they were accepted and loved for who they were. I

think it was watching my mother with children that prepared a special

place in my heart for them also. There is a downside, though. When

children have your heart, it can be absolute agony to hear them cry –

especially when there is little you can do to help.

I tell you this because it lays the foundation for why I chose social work

as my major in college, why I chose Child Welfare for my “professional

semester” toward my degree, and why one of my first jobs after

graduating was in Child Protective Services. I began my career in

Dallas in 1973 working for the “state welfare department.” I progressed

to Child Protective Services and was able to use that experience when I moved to Indiana in

1975 to become a Child Welfare Consultant with the Title XX Program managed by the state.

It was during my tenure with Indiana that I learned about this new resource for children in the

court system (through no fault of their own) called a Guardian ad Litem. The Guardian ad Litem

was to be assigned by the family court judge to be a representative and voice for the child. Up

to that point, a child who had been removed from their parent(s) for whatever reason could

easily fall through the cracks and/or be used as a pawn by the adults in the situation. The

Guardian ad Litem was tasked with learning as much as possible about the child and their

situation, i.e. fears, risks, challenges, resources, support systems, strengths, etc. The Guardian

then had the responsibility of reporting their findings to the judge and making recommendations

as to what was truly in the best interest of that child. You can imagine my delight when I learned

that my own Dallas County inaugurated a new system for using trained volunteers to become

Guardians ad Litem called Court Appointed Special Advocates – CASAs!

Fast forward 38 years and what do I have the opportunity to do but help CASA of Bell and Coryell

Counties transition into an independent organization! What a privilege! And now, for the past

2 years and going forward, I am honored to be a member of the Board of Directors. Among

the many lessons I have learned over the past 3 years is that our community is extraordinarily

blessed to have the dedicated volunteers that have worked with and for children as CASAs in

Bell and Coryell Counties since 1997 and 2006 respectively. In addition, our community is blessed

by the fact that four years ago many selfless and committed leaders volunteered to work with

Texas CASA and our local judges in order to create a new independent CASA organization.

Because of their great work, CASA has steadily grown and strengthened over the past 4 years

to benefit many more children throughout the two counties.

Sadly, the need for CASAs in our two counties is extraordinarily high; so even as we are growing,

we are not able to completely fulfill the need. Fortunately, Bell County bridges the gap with

employed advocates but they are overwhelmed, too. Consequently, the CASA staff has

worked diligently recruiting, training and supporting new CASAs so they can support and be the

voice for more children. Although we have added to our numbers of volunteers, there are so

many more children who need CASAs.

When I hear a child cry, my heart breaks; does yours? When it comes to children in our court

systems, the sound may not be audible, but it should be even more profound. Will you step up

to help these precious children? This is your chance to make a difference. Contact the CASA

office today to find out how you can help – as a volunteer or as a financial supporter! Together

we can ensure no child feels alone or lost in the system and every child has hope for the future.

Lee Ann Deal Vice President

CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties

Marilu Family Hair

Salon

Vista and Fairway Are Giving Back!

If you are in the market for a home and interested in giving back to the community in your home-

buying process, here is your chance! Dennis Fletcher of Fairway and Christine Fletcher of Vista

Real Estate (both current CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties volunteers!) are passionate about

giving and will donate $500 in the borrower’s name (to any charity of the borrower’s choice) for

every loan originated with Fairway and Vista Realtors. If you work with both Dennis and Christine,

be sure to name a charity for a donation! If the borrower does not pick a charity, these CASA

champions will send the donation to your very own CASA of Bell and Counties. Thank you, Dennis

and Christine, for your continued generosity and for all you do for your community!

Waffle Cone

Wes’ Burger Shack

& More

Aces High Bingo Support CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties!

Did you know Aces High Bingo in Temple has

offered to serve as a continuous fundraiser for

your local CASA? Aces High Bingo opened on

Friday, August 17, 2018 and is a member of

Texas Charity Bingo, a group of bingo locations

across central Texas that benefit local charities

and nonprofit organizations. This new bingo hall

in Temple will benefit both the Boys & Girls Club

of Central Texas, Inc. and CASA of Bell & Coryell

Counties. CASA sessions are on Mondays at

2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. and Tuesdays at 2:00

p.m. You can read more from the Temple Daily

Telegram here. We hope you will stop by soon

to enjoy a game of bingo for a great cause!

New from National CASA

National CASA Association Featured in Paramount’s Instant Family

If you are interested in the latest Hollywood take on the experiences of the foster-to-adopt

process, Instant Family may just be for you! On November 16, Paramount Pictures released the

dramedy Instant Family, the heartwarming story of Pete (played by Mark Wahlberg) and Ellie

(played by Rose Byrne) embarking on their journey to parenthood. The cast also includes

Isabela Moner, Tom Segura, Tig Notaro, Octavia Spencer, and many more. Director Sean Anders

states that the film was inspired by his and his wife’s experiences following their adoption of three

children living in foster care. Instant Family attempts to shine light on the complexities of the

foster care system, challenges faced by youth in care and foster parents, and brings forward

many key issues CASA volunteers tackle each day in their service to children living in care. At

the end of the film, viewers are directed to InstantFamily.org. We are very proud to announce

that this website highlights the National CASA Association and directs visitors to National CASA’s

volunteer page for individuals interested in joining the fight to support children living in foster

care. The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and AdoptUSKids are also featured on the

Instant Family website. To read a full review of the film from Texas CASA, click here.

News from Texas CASA

Registration Now Open!

2019 Texas CASA Child Welfare Primer and CASA Day at the Capitol

Are you interested in helping in spreading CASA advocacy from the courtroom to the Capitol?

This year’s Child Welfare Primer: Essential Advocacy for Child & Family Wellbeing will center on

current issues effecting Texas’ child welfare system and how CASA, policymakers, and child

welfare stakeholders can work together to improve outcomes for Texas children living in foster

care. This two-part event will take place on Monday, February 4, 2019 at the Omni Austin Hotel

Downtown. The morning session (beginning at 9:00 a.m.) is open to all volunteers, board

members, and staff in the CASA network and will cover Texas CASA’s Legislative Priorities. The

afternoon session will include two panel discussions (Substance Use & Abuse: Moving the

Conversation Forward and Normalcy: Challenges & Opportunities in Foster Care). All members

of the CASA network as well as legislators, legislative staff, and stakeholders are invited to attend

the afternoon session, which begins with a complimentary lunch at 11:30 a.m. To view the full

agenda, click here. Both registration and lunch are free for this event. If you are a member of

the CASA network (volunteer, board member, or staff), click here to register. If you are a

stakeholder in the child welfare community, you can register here.

T

h

a

n

k

y

o

u

!

Following the 2019 Child Welfare Primer, CASA Day at the Capitol will take place on Tuesday,

February 5, 2019. The event will begin at 8:00 a.m. with welcome remarks and a presentation by

Andy Homer, Texas CASA Public Policy Executive Director. The event will also include legislative

office visits, Capitol Resolutions, and a complimentary breakfast. $3.00 boxed lunches and $5.00

t-shirts will be available to those who pre-order during registration (these cannot be ordered on-

site the day of the event, so please order during registration). If you attempt to register and are

waitlisted, please allow 3-5 business days to be added to the attendance roster. To view the full

agenda, click here.

Registration for both events is free and will close on Friday, January 18, 2019 or until registration

reaches capacity, so save your spot now! Attending one or both of these events can also count

toward your CASA continuing education credits. For questions regarding event details,

schedules, registration, or in-service training credits, please contact Karli Barger,

Recruiter/Trainer, at (254) 831-9880 or at kbarger.bccasa@outlook.com. We hope to see you

there!

The Family Helpline for Strong Families and Safe Children

The child welfare system can be very complicated and difficult to navigate, especially for

parents and caregivers. Luckily, there are numerous resources available that can help ease the

burden and answer questions along the way. The Family Helpline for Strong Families and Safe

Children is a resource available to Texas parents and caregivers involved in the CPS system. By

calling the Family Helpline (1-844-888-6565; Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.),

attorneys with extensive history working with CPS can demystify the CPS process, provide a

walkthrough, what to expect at various stages of the process, and refer callers to local resources

that could benefit the children we serve and their families. A project of the Austin-based Texas

Legal Services Center, the Family Helpline is staffed by experienced attorneys that can help

parents, caregivers, and Advocates navigate the process, provide free, objective legal

information, and referrals for families and caregivers. While the helpline was designed to assist

families with the system, Crystal Leff-Piñon (Helpline Managing Attorney) states that the helpline

is open to anyone who needs questions answered. “Anyone in the community can call in and

basically get a free class on child welfare law,” says Leff-Piñon. If you (as a CASA volunteer) or

a parent/caregiver you work with through CASA could benefit from this resource, please call

the number above or call Karli Barger, Recruiter/Trainer, at (254) 831-9880.

Texas CASA Voice In A Minute

Do you want to get your Texas CASA news

firsthand but struggle finding the time to

keep informed? Texas CASA knows our

volunteers, board members, staff, and

supporters are staying busy fighting the

good fight. Here’s where we introduce you

to The CASA Voice in a Minute! With Texas

CASA’s new quarterly digest, even the

busiest child champions can keep up with

all-things-CASA. The CASA Voice in a Minute is a single email sent to subscribers once every

three months and includes only the most important and relevant stories from previous editions

of The CASA Voice. Click here to take a look at the first edition of The CASA Voice in a Minute.

If you like what you see, you can subscribe here!

Calling All CASA Fundraising Volunteers!

2nd Annual CASA St. Patrick’s Day 5K & Family Fun Festival

Our next fundraiser is quickly approaching and CASA

is requesting YOUR assistance from any volunteers,

board members, staff, and supporters that want to go

the extra mile and get involved! The 2nd Annual St.

Patrick’s Day 5K & Family Fun Festival will take place

on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at Friars Creek Hike and

Bike Trail in Temple, Texas. The planning committee is

seeking assistance in several areas, including

planning, event set-up and break-down, manning

water stations, event registration, decorations, and

various assignments on the day of the event. We are

only a couple months away and need all hands on

deck! If you are interested in serving as a champion

fundraiser for CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties,

please contact Karli Barger, Recruiter/Trainer, at (254)

831-9880 or at kbarger.bccasa@outlook.com.

Art Supplies Availble: Claim Them for Your CASA Kid!

Attention, CASA volunteers! CASA of Bell and

Coryell Counties has recently received a donation

of art supplies for middle-school-aged/high-school-

aged youth. Supplies include drawing pads of

various sizes, an art tube with a shoulder strap, a

portfolio binder, and a large plastic carrying case

(with straps and zippers for carrying art supplies). If

you know a child that could make use of these

items, please contact Karli Barger, Recruiter/Trainer,

at kbarger.bccasa@outlook.com or at (254) 831-

9880. CASA children only, please! Thank you for

giving to our local children in need!

Advocates Imelda Egan and Chanel Respers at CASA’s

1st Annual 5K on St. Patrick’s Day and Family Fun Run

Outreach

Do you want to help spread the mission of CASA in our communities? Would you like to help

connect passionate individuals with a truly worthy cause? If so, CASA is always looking for

volunteers to assist with outreach! We will need a minimum of four (4) CASA volunteers, staff,

board members, and/or Friends of CASA to operate one of the following booths in 1.5-hour shifts.

Participants will assist in event set-up, break-down, and sharing the mission of CASA with many

of our future volunteers and supporters! If you are interested in participating in one of the

upcoming events for 2019, please contact Karli Barger by calling (254) 831-9880 or emailing

kbarger.bccasa@outlook.com.

Friday, January 25, 2019

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

UMHB Social Work Field Fair

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

900 College St

Belton, Texas 76513

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

UMHB Spring 2019 Job & Internship Fair

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

900 College Street

Belton, Texas 76513

Volunteer Continuing Education Opportunities

One of the many wonderful things about being a Court Appointed Special Advocate is the

opportunity to learn and grow! Advocates maintain 12 hours of in-service training per year in

order to provide informed advocacy to children in Bell and Coryell Counties. Your local CASA

and other organizations in our communities provide many continuing education opportunities

to volunteers and partners with numerous individuals, agencies, and community organizations

to share information on a wide array of topics in the sphere of social work and child advocacy.

There are always more opportunities in the works and Karli Barger, your Recruiter/Trainer, is active

and on it! If you desire to grow in your service to children as a Court Appointed Special

Advocate, your CASA staff always has something for you! Take a look at the new training

opportunities below. There are also several other options you have to receive continuing

education credits in your community or from home. We hope you will join us!

2019 Texas CASA Child Welfare Primer

Provided by Texas CASA

Monday, February 4, 2019

9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The Omni Austin Hotel Downtown

700 San Jacinto Blvd | Austin, Texas 78701

Click here to navigate.

Registration: CASA Network

Registration: Child Welfare Community

2019 CASA Day at the Capitol

Provided by Texas CASA

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Texas State Capitol

1100 Congress Ave | Austin, Texas 78701

Click here to navigate.

Registration: CASA Network

Registration: Child Welfare Community

Webinar

Trauma & Mental Health Considerations in a

Child Sex Trafficking Response

Provided by the NCJT – Fox Valley

Technical College

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Click here to register!

Home Learning

Introducing TBRI® 101: A Self-Guided Course

in Trust-Based Relationships

Provided by Texas CASA

Part I: Understanding Trauma

Part II: Empowering Principles

Part III: Connecting Principles

Click here to access!

Other Options for In-Service Training

1. Your CASA office has numerous movies, books, and training videos available for

checkout for all CASA volunteers. Stop by and browse through what we have

available!

2. There are many forums, trainings, and workshops provided throughout our communities

by numerous individuals and organizations that relate to your work as a CASA

volunteer. If you attend an event you believe is relevant to your role as a CASA, you

can receive credit for it!

3. Texas CASA has multiple webinars covering a wide array of topics, all valuable and

worth viewing. You can access these webinars here!

4. Lunches with the Judges always count as in-service training! Both judges generously

make themselves available to CASA volunteers on a regular basis throughout the year

and provide the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Bell and Coryell CASAs. Each

session you attend counts toward your in-service training! We are scheduling more

lunches with Judge Van Orden and Judge Maybray for 2019, so stay tuned!

In order to receive credit for any in-service training you perform on your own without signing in as a

group, you will need to provide a one-page summary of the material covered. These summaries should

include what you learned and how you believe it will benefit you in serving children in foster care.

Recruitment and Pre-Service Training

New CASA Volunteer Training

Thursday, January 10, 2019| 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | CASA Office

Do you or does someone you know want to make difference for a child in the foster

care system? If so, visit our website to submit an application or call Recruiter/Trainer

Karli Barger at (254) 831-9880 to receive the complete application packet!

APPLY TO BECOME A CASA HERE!

Do you know someone who has what it takes to speak up for a child? If so, nominate them here!

Our team of volunteers, board, staff, and communities are beyond

grateful to all of our supporters – and you, our individual donors and

CASA volunteers who continue to stand up for children and support

CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties.

CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties is always ready for positive

change – will you join us?

Keep an eye out for your new CASA of Bell and Coryell Counties

Newsletter beginning in the new year.

Stay tuned!