FEBRUARY 2018: News, Events, and Opportunities for CASA Volunteers 
 
A Letter from new Executive Director Angela Rose 

Dear CASA Volunteers,
 
Hello from your new Executive Director! I am both excited and humbled for the opportunity to lead this amazing organization which has been close to my heart for so many years. Protecting our children is the most important thing we can do as a society and it is because of you - our committed volunteers - that CASA of the Pikes Peak Region has been able to help so many children in our community.

In calendar year 2017, we served 1,976 children in all five of our programs. Since CASA of the Pikes Peak Region's inception, we have now served close to 17,000 children!! 

As we move forward together and work in all of our programs to serve the whole child, I look forward to hearing from each of you about your experiences, concerns, and recommendations. I am hosting two different ways for you to share your thoughts with me. You can come to a "bring your own lunch" at the CASA office on March 9 from 11 to 1,  or I will be in my office from 9 to 5 on March 15 for you to drop by and visit. I look forward to hearing what you have to say! Of course you can call me anytime or reach out to me by email at angelar@casappr.org.
 
Thank you so much for all that you do,
Angela
 
Welcome and thank you to our newest advocates!     


We extend our deepest appreciation to the newest class of Court Appointed Special Advocate volunteers in El Paso County, who were sworn in as officers of the court by 4th Judicial District Chief Judge William Bain on January 30. Meet the new advocates here.
Upcoming Trainings & Events for CASA Volunteers  
 
There's lots going on in the CASA world. Listed below are some upcoming dates, events, and training sessions that you might be interested in.

Get full details on any of these by clicking here .

FEBRUARY 19:  
CASA office closed in observance of President's Day
 
FEBRUARY 22-23:
Trauma-Informed Practices Workshop  
 
FEBRUARY 26:
CASA Day at the Capitol in Denver

MARCH 9:
Have lunch with Angela Rose (bring your own lunch)

MARCH 12:
Informed Supervision Training 

MARCH 15
Drop by between 9 AM and 5 PM to talk with Angela 
 
MARCH 20:
Reactive Attachment Disorder Presentation

APRIL 19:
Life Long Links Workshop for Advocates

APRIL 24:
Peaceful Households Annual Conference

For more information or to register for these events, please click here.  
 
Milton Foster Children's Fund & The Hanger
HAPPENINGS
 

In addition to Saturdays, the Hanger will now be open the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month beginning March 5. Monday hours will be 5-7 PM and the entrance is in the back of the CASA building.  
 
Here are other opportunities available for teens right now or in the near future: 
  • Teen Life Skills
  • Art Class - Origami!
  • Camp Registration
  • Drivers Ed
  • Tutoring
  • Guitar Lessons
To learn more, click here, or contact Jill Cheetham.    
 
Time to register for summer camp! Spots filling up!  

Do you have a youth interested in Camp Shady Brook or other overnight and summer camps? Contact Jill at jillc@casappr.org to learn about possible Milton Foster Children's Fund funding. Registration for Camp Shady Brook has already opened and spots fill up fast, so start thinking about summer activities today!
An update from the Life Long Links program  

We wanted to let you know about a change in our Life Long Links department. Jillian Wiker is changing her role at CASA and starting next week will become one of our D&N Case Supervisors for El Paso County. She's going to fill the role left vacant by one of our other employees who will now be focused 100% on programming in Teller County .

Jillian's move not only allows our D&N work to carry on uninterrupted, but it also enables Life Long Links to move forward and end the fiscal year with a balanced budget. The good news is we are in the process of securing funding for the next fiscal year which begins July 1. For our Life Long Links employees, please know there won't be any gaps in the backing and assistance you receive as you do this important work. Jill McCormick and Sarah Wendt are ready and able to support you in the same capacity as before, and you may also work with Jillian as the Life Long Links subject matter expert in the D&N Program. 
Table Host Opportunities for Light of Hope 2018 

Light of Hope, our signature fundraising event, will be held on Wednesday, April 25th, from 7:30-8:30 AM and 12:30-1:30pm.

If you would like to fill a table of ten with people who have a heart for children and the capacity to support CASA, please contact Jill C. at jillc@casappr.org.
 
Advocates needed to take survey on OCR attorneys 

The Colorado Office of the Child's Representative (OCR) is reviewing OCR attorney performance in Fiscal Year 2018 (July 1, 2017 to present) and as part of this process is requesting feedback from stakeholders across the system including CASA advocates. OCR attorneys appear as Guardians ad litem in dependency, delinquency, adoption, paternity, mental health, truancy, and probate proceedings, and as Child's Legal Representatives (CLR) in domestic relations matters. Your feedback would be appreciated! If you want to help, please complete one survey about each OCR attorney you've worked with since July 1, 2017. The anonymous survey consists of 25 questions, should take about five minutes to complete, and can be accessed here.

Quilts available now - Comfort your CASA child with a new quilt 

Volunteer Sandra Kyner has made several quilts for CASA children and has generously offered to make more.  
 
There are a few designs available now in the Kids' Closet at the CASA building.  
 
Sandra is also taking special requests. If you'd like to request a special quilt for your child, please send your child's age, gender, favorite color/colors, and a theme (Spider-Man, animals, hearts, sports, etc.) to Angela Rose at angelar@casappr.org.   
CASA is looking to hire for two positions 

Come work for CASA! We have two job openings right now. They are Office/HR Manager and Supervised Exchange & Parenting Time Program Manager. Read more about the jobs and how to apply here.  
 
CASA families invited to Touch-A-Truck Weekend
 
The Junior League of Colorado Springs is extending an invitation to CASA families for its 8th Annual Touch-A-Truck Weekend, March 2-4 at the Norris-Penrose Event Center. The first 50 families to RSVP will receive free admission to the day of their choice. To RSVP, send family name, number attending, and day of choice to jillc@casappr.org by Feb. 23.