CASA HELPS FOSTER FAMILES AND CHILDREN UNITE

On Saturday, May 31 2009, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) participated in the Pulaski County Adoption Coalition's 2^nd annual Disney Extravaganza. This carnival-like event unites children in foster care with parents approved for adoption.

The extravaganza was held at Immanuel Baptist Church in West Little Rock where surrounding churches and organizations joined together. CASA provided a track and pedal cars for the children to ride and race.

If you would like more information regarding adopting foster children, please contact the DHS adoption unit at (501) 682-9191.

For further questions or comments, please contact Michelle Trulsrud at (501) 340-6946.

TROPICAL SMOOTHIE HELPS CASA FOR A GREAT CAUSE

On May 22, from 5-8 pm, Pulaski County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) joined Tropical Smoothie in raising money for a great cause. The Tropical Smoothie on 12911 Cantrell Road donated 15% of all their sales to the nonprofit organization. The money raised will go to further volunteer recruitment along with informing the community about CASA's cause.

CASA's mission is to advocate for the best interest of abused and neglected children in the court, in an effort to move those children to safe, permanent homes.

For further questions or comments, please contact Michelle Trulsrud at Pulaski County CASA at (501) 340-6946.

TOSHA FOUGEROUSSE NOMINATED AS FAMILY SERVICE WORKER OF THE YEAR

Tosha Fougerousse, a family service worker in Perry County, was recently chosen as the "Family Service Worker of the Year" by Arkansas State CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). She was nominated for this award by Pulaski County CASA. As a family service worker, Fougerousse assists children from families who have been abused or neglected by working for their best interest.

Fougerousse, who has worked for several years with Pulaski County's attorney ad litem, works to provide information about each case in a timely manner, remains prepared for court, and is committed to follow-ups with families and service providers to ensure compliance with court orders.

According to the staff of Pulaski County CASA: "[We] have found her to be extremely dedicated and genuinely concerned about the children and families that she is assigned to in Perry County...She consistently puts the needs of the children first, but at the same time, she is committed to assisting the families with services that are instrumental in reuniting them with their children when that is in their best interest."

Fougerousse was awarded a plaque at the state CASA conference held May 6-8.

For further questions or comments, please contact Michelle Trulsrud at Pulaski County CASA at (501) 340-6946.

PULASKI COUNTY CASA NAMES CHANTE ROGERS AS INTERN

Chante' Rogers, a resident of Jacksonville, was recently named as 2009-2010 Resource Development Intern for Pulaski County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).

 

Rogers, who is a senior at the University of Central Arkansas, will be responsible for creating a resource guide and website that can be used to find services/facilities for the clients of child welfare organizations.

 

In order to be considered for the position, a candidate must display a commitment to CASA's goals and mission, an understanding of the significance of confidentiality necessary for all areas of agency work, excellent problem solving skills and must have a successful completion of a criminal background check.

 

The mission of Pulaski County CASA is to speak out for the best interest of abused and neglected children in court, with a view toward helping them find safe, permanent homes.

 

Chante' Rogers may be reached at Pulaski County CASA at (501) 340-6769 or emailed at pulaski.county.ar@gmail.com.

LONOKE RESIDENT PRISCILLA YBARRA JOINS VISTA

Priscilla Ybarra, a resident of Lonoke, was recently sworn in as a member of AmeriCorps VISTA, the nearly 40-year-old national service program dedicated to helping fight poverty in the United States. Ybarra has been assigned to Pulaski County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) as Outreach Coordinator. She will assist the program in raising awareness about child abuse and neglect in the community and maintain relationships between the organization and local media. Ybarra is originally from Wills Point, Texas and a recent graduate from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.

 

Ybarra will spend a year as a VISTA member serving for CASA. In exchange for her year of full-time services, she will receive a modest living allowance along with health insurance, training, travel and relocation expenses. When she completes her service, she will receive either a $1,200 stipend or an education award of $4,725 that she can use to help pay for further schooling, vocational training or to pay off qualified student loans.

 

For 40 years, VISTA has been helping bring communities and individuals out of poverty. Today, nearly 7,000 VISTA members serve in hundreds of nonprofit organizations and public agencies throughout the country—working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create business, increase housing opportunities and bridge the digital divide.

 

An additional VISTA will be added to the Pulaski County CASA team this summer to develop and maintain recruitment efforts. For further information contact Marquita Rogers at (501) 340-6778. Priscilla Ybarra may be reached at pulaskicountycasa@gmail.com for further questions or comments.

SPEAK UP FOR A CHILD IN NEED

SPEAK UP FOR A CHILD IN NEED

Pulaski County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is seeking adults 21 years and older, to stand up for abused and neglected children. CASA’s mission is to advocate for the best interest of children in the court, in an effort to move them from unfit homes to safe, permanent ones.

A CASA volunteer, or advocate, is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to report factual information regarding the abused or neglected child and family. This information helps the court to make a sound decision about the child’s future. The advocate serves as the voice in court for the child by visiting with them, talking to foster parents, birth parents, service providers and anyone else involved in the case. Once in court, the advocate is asked to testify, and make recommendations for the best interest of the child based on his or her gathered knowledge regarding the case.

Being a CASA volunteer does not require any special education or background, simply the desire to help abused and neglected children find safe, permanent homes. In order to become an advocate, a background check and a 35 hour training program must be passed.

If interested in becoming a CASA, please call Daryl Capps at 501.340.6741, or Kristi McGibbony at 501.340.6732.

The next training schedule is as follows:

July 21-23, 9-12pm or 6-9pm
July 28-30, 9-12pm or 6-9pm
August 4-6, 9-12pm or 6-9pm

SEEKING NEW VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR

PULASKI COUNTY CASA SEEKS NEW VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR

Pulaski County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is seeking a talented and dedicated individual to become the new Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator, an AmeriCorps VISTA position. The Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator will assist the program by recruiting volunteers, raising awareness about child abuse and neglect in the community and fundraising for the organization.

Serving as a VISTA member for CASA, this individual will be dedicated to the program’s mission of advocating for the best interest of abused and neglected children in court, in an effort to move those children to safe, permanent homes. In exchange for a year of full-time services, the individual will receive a modest living allowance along with health insurance, training, travel and relocation expenses. Once the year of service is complete, the VISTA can decide between a $1,200 stipend or an education award of $4,725 for loans or further schooling.

For 40 years, VISTA has been helping bring communities and individuals out of poverty. Today, nearly 7,000 VISTA members serve in hundreds of nonprofit organizations and public agencies throughout the country—working to fight illiteracy, improve health services, create business, increase housing opportunities and bridge the digital divide.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and be able to pass a background check.

For further information contact Marquita Rogers at (501) 340-6778 or email at casa@co.pulaski.ar.us.