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C A S A O F T R AV I S C O U N T Y, I N C .

CASA recommends unique forms of therapy to help children heal

Judges often count on CASA volunteers to make creative, innovative recommendations on behalf of children who’ve been abused or neglected. Some of these recommendations include unique forms of therapy to help children heal when they aren’t responding positively to traditional forms of therapy.

As a young boy, Seth’s mom had been physically abusive with him, and he had witnessed domestic violence in his home before he came into the care of Child Protective Services (CPS). He displayed a lot of aggression, was angry with his mother for what he had gone through and was closed off to the idea of a new adoptive mother. CASA recommended play therapy as a way to help Seth work on being more open to the idea of adoption and having a new mother. During play therapy, Seth’s therapist let him lead what they were doing and express what he was feeling through the toys he played with. He often played with a family set of dolls and a house, yet he would always leave the mom doll in a box with the lid closed and keep this box far from the house where he was playing with the rest of the dolls. Through his play therapy, over time he began to leave the lid off, then let the mom doll out of the box. He began moving her closer and closer to the house until he finally allowed the mom doll into the house with the rest of his doll family as he progressed towards accepting a possible adoptive family, and with that, maybe even a new mom.

Equine or horse therapy is another unique treatment that CASA volunteers may recommend for children, and we have worked with great organizations like Spirit Reins and Therapy Works to make sure our children can get access to these helpful services. CASA recently advocated for a teen girl to go to horse therapy because she was having a difficult time building rapport with her current therapist. Animal therapy in general is helpful for children who are hesitant to build relationships or communicate with adults. The horse helps the therapist build a relationship with the child in a brief amount of time versus what could take months in talk therapy, and it helped this teen to advance in her healing. The horse can also become something the children can identify with in their healing process. Another young woman whose parents turned her over to CPS strongly identified with a horse that had been taken away from its mother just as she had been separated from hers.

Advocating for these specialized forms of therapy is an important role for CASA volunteers when it comes to helping children who’ve experienced abuse or neglect to heal. You can read more on this subject on the following page in our Being Trauma Informed article. w

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The Voice

Lissa AdamsFannie AkingbalaWaylon AllenLeti AlvarezJessica ArnobitMelanie BabbittMartina BluemJeanette BrinegarAdeline BrownWendy CalderonLaura CeglioLaura CervantesVeronica ChambersKelly Childers

Quincy CooperJune CrainSarah CrockettRobin DePalmaMeghan DoughertyStacey DrownAshley EddlemanUli FailNora FitzgeraldAudrey FrenchTamara FriedmanJessica GonzalesFlora GrayTara Green

Elizabeth GulekePeggy HannaWanda HayesLaura HernandezTera HighbargerErin HornungTara Hughes-WomackRebecca HydeRose JeansMelinda JonesAmanda JosephIben KadriJanet KirkAnne Kleinert

Christy LangenbergLaura LansingLisa Lopez-GoodingRichard MattinglyWilliam MazurekMeghan McCamantGlaucia MilanezMary PalombiDavid RayPaula RecksonNaomi RichardVanessa RollersonLauren SmithAna Smith-Daley

Jennifer StanovichLynn SurretteBree TaylorNikki Teage-O’ConnorJudy ThomasTami ThomasMargarita TrembathTom UptonDana VanceAngelica VegaLucy VelazquezLibby WeedmanMary Elen WilliamsRichard Wright

So far in 2013, CASA of Travis County has:

Served 237 new children

Closed cases for 227 children

Advocated for 1,172 children

with 439 volunteer advocates

Meet our newly sworn-in CASA volunteers!

“Independent and educated recommendations, true to our understanding of each child’s best interest…”

These words make up part of CASA’s six core values. We make independent recommendations in each child’s best interest, because our CASA volunteers are able to work one-on-one with a child to best know their individual situation and keep their specific needs a priority.

Providing such specialized advocacy for the children we serve requires that our organization be “trauma-informed.” This means that every part of our agency needs a basic understanding of how trauma is affecting children. This could be the trauma of the abuse or neglect they have suffered, the trauma of being removed from their home by Child Protective Services (CPS), or the trauma of many other potentially harmful experiences in their young lives.

Just as every child we advocate for will have different needs in their life, they will also be affected by trauma differently. Some children have greater resiliency or coping skills, or have a better support system around them to process their experiences.

For children without these advantages, whose exposure to trauma overwhelms their ability to cope with what they have experienced, CASA and the entire child welfare system must support their individual needs to help them heal.

This begins with how the child welfare system is assessing trauma, as even this needs to be individually tailored to the child. Once proper assessment is made, children need therapeutic intervention that caters to their specific needs, taking into account their age, level of functioning and even their preferred method of communication. Standard talk-based therapy alone may be insufficient when it comes to helping someone heal, primarily because the traumatic

experience is often recorded in the subconscious part of the brain. Alternative trauma-informed therapies that help process these subconscious feelings include the play therapy and equine therapy methods described in our cover story. One of the big challenges for addressing trauma with children in the CPS system lies in the fact that many of the system’s contracts are with traditional talk-based therapists, so it takes great effort for special contracts and payment approvals to secure these alternative therapies. Fortunately, CASA volunteers can, and do, advocate for this.

Ultimately, just sending a child to trauma-informed therapy once a week will not be the key to healing a child who’s experiencing traumatic stress. Caregivers and families need to understand and be responsive to traumatic experiences for children. We must work to ensure that children are not further traumatized while in the care of the CPS system. It will take the entire system becoming trauma-informed and incorporating this knowledge into all of our work to achieve healthy, traumatic stress free futures for the children we serve.

To become a more trauma-informed organization, we have formed a task force of staff members who are working to further educate our staff, and, on the request of our Travis County judges, are building a list of trauma-focused therapy providers and resources. We have hosted introductory trainings for staff and volunteers and have more trainings planned for the future (Volunteer Advocates: Watch your emails for upcoming Continuing Education training announcements regarding this subject, including one on June 18th when our task force will share their findings with you). We have even been asked by our local judges to share with them our research regarding trauma-informed care for our community’s children.

The value of one

The work of CASA is all about one: one child, one volunteer, one donor, one supporter. It’s easy to get caught up talking about the big numbers. We talk about how many kids we’ve served, how many volunteers we’ve recruited, how many children still need a volunteer… but the fundamental point of CASA is the difference one adult makes in the life of one child.

It is this one-on-one specialized advocacy that makes us unique in the child welfare system. While a volunteer may be working with a family of children, they know and can advocate specifically on behalf of each child in that family and their individual needs. Sometimes volunteers may advocate for different services for children from the same family to meet the unique needs of each child.

The value of “one” shows up with our supporters as well. Members of our Powerful Voice Society have given $1,500 or more, and by doing so, they are providing one child with a CASA volunteer for one year. They are ensuring that one child has a dedicated adult to speak up for their best interest.

And of course, it only takes one person to recruit one new CASA volunteer to advocate for one more child or set of siblings. Ultimately, each one of us can play a part in ensuring that every single child who needs one has a CASA volunteer by their side.

- Laura D. Wolf, Executive Director

Being Trauma Informed: Providing the best possible advocacy for children

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Every part of our agency needs a

basic understanding of how trauma is affecting children.

We must work to ensure that

children are not further traumatized while in the care of

the CPS system.

The value of one

The work of CASA is all about one: one child, one volunteer, one donor, one supporter. It’s easy to get caught up talking about the big numbers. We talk about how many kids we’ve served, how many volunteers we’ve recruited, how many children still need a volunteer… but the fundamental point of CASA is the difference one adult makes in the life of one child.

It is this one-on-one specialized advocacy that makes us unique in the child welfare system. While a volunteer may be working with a family of children, they know and can advocate specifically on behalf of each child in that family and their individual needs. Sometimes volunteers may advocate for different services for children from the same family to meet the unique needs of each child.

The value of “one” shows up with our supporters as well. Members of our Powerful Voice Society have given $1,500 or more, and by doing so, they are providing one child with a CASA volunteer for one year. They are ensuring that one child has a dedicated adult to speak up for their best interest.

And of course, it only takes one person to recruit one new CASA volunteer to advocate for one more child or set of siblings. Ultimately, each one of us can play a part in ensuring that every single child who needs one has a CASA volunteer by their side.

- Laura D. Wolf, Executive Director

3MKathleen & David AllenSudie & Brad Anderson

AnonymousAustin American-StatesmanAustin Christian Fellowship

Austin Community FoundationBalcones Pain Consultants

Bazaarvoice, Inc.Donna & Kevin Bell

John BerkowitzKathryn Blackbird & Craig Hurwitz

Jessica & Jimmy BlacklockPaula & R. Sterling Boon

Boon Insurance Management Services, L.P.Pat & Michael Breiy

Anne & Bud BrighamBrigham Family Foundation

Jennifer BrockwellAmanda Cambre

Lorry & Rollie CarlsonJuli & Everett Carmody

Rhonda & Skip ChandlerThe Cipione Family Foundation

Coca-Cola RefreshmentsDenise & Jerry Conway

Conway & Associates, Inc.The Costigan Family Foundation

Jeanne & Michael CrosnoJ. Calvin Crowder

Michael & Susan Dell FoundationPhilip S. DeMarie

Kelly & Lee DodsonRosemary & Russell Douglass

Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.Cooper Drenner

The Dubose Family FoundationAlicia & Jon Duleba

The Edgewater GroupElectric Transmission Texas, LLC

Kathryn Engelhardt-Cronk & Tom CronkEnoch Kever PLLC

Reid EsslAnissa & Todd Everett

Tera FergusonFirst United Methodist ChurchNora Fitzgerald & Mark J. Gude

Fleckman & McGlynn, PLLCKevin Fleming

Morgan & Ben GaddisCarolyn Lewis Gallagher

Give Realty, Inc.Joyee & Randal Goodall

Gracy Title CompanyGridiron Stadium Network

Gail & Harold HamiltonTracy & Matthew Hamilton

Cheryl & Corey HartHarutunian Engineering Inc.

Tracy L. HendersonKejda & Peter Herzog

Debbie & Bryan HolleyKim & Kyle Hughes

Stephanie & Anthony IcenogleShanna Igo

Johnson & JohnsonJourneyman Construction

Dana & Kemp KaslingLouis J. & Millie M. Kocurek

Charitable FoundationKPMG, L.L.P.

Kathy F. LaneChristy & Ray LangenbergKathy & Bodey LangfordLeslie & David Laverty

LCRA Employees’ United CharitiesLesley Ledwell

Lee Tilford AgencyLisa & Todd Lewis

LifeAustinStephanie & Randy LischLola Wright Foundation

Teresa & Joe LongMelissa & Wade Lorber

Lesley & Ted LorenzLorenz & Lorenz, LLP

Shelley & Steve MalachowskiVaughn Mankey

Karen & George MansonRichard Mattingly

The Robert & Janice McNair FoundationMary & Lynn Moak

Amanda & Christopher MontgomeryMargaret & Jack Murray

National InstrumentsKennedy & John Neff

Heather & Jack NelsonCarolyn & Tom Nicewarner

Patricia & Bob OttoOxford Commercial

Debra & Christopher PacittiBee & Leif PedersenPiper & Turner PLLCPlainsCapital Bank

Kari & Lee PottsPotts + Blacklock PLLC

Catherine & Willy PowersTina & John Recker

RGK FoundationBitsy & William Rice

Key & Hank RichardsonJohn Rivas & Nicole Goldstein

Lisa & Phil RosenbaumPam & Jerry Rouse

Melissa & David RubinRussell Korman Fine Watches & Jewelry

Daniel RussoPamela & Leonard Russo

Catherine & Charles SansburyHeidi & Scott Scholz

Serendipity GiftsShield-Ayres FoundationIrene & Alexander Shoghi

Kim & Jared SlosbergStephanie Smith

Spivey & Grigg, LLCSamantha & John Stevens

Robert StraitAndrea & Andy Swanson

SXSW Conferences & FestivalsTexas Bar Foundation

Topfer Family FoundationEmily & Paul Twitchell

Sarah & Andy ValenzuelaMary & John Vanderheyden

Rachael & Ben Vaughan FoundationHeather & Ruston Vickers

Emily & Daniel WalkerDenni & John Washburn

Sharon & Curt WebbAshley & Robert Whitfield

Laura D. Wolf

Thank you to our major donors ($1,000 and up) between November 1, 2012 and April 15, 2013

If you feel you’ve been left off this list or we misspelled your name, please accept our apologies and kindly let us know so we can properly thank you.

Top: Gala Chair & CASA Volunteer Rhonda Chandler, CASA Volunteer & Helping Heart - Karen & George Manson, Auctioneer Gayle Stallings; Tim & Betty Parston, Yolanda & Chris ConyersBottom: Project Runway Star Daniel Esquivel, Camille Cipione, CASA Volunteer Tracie Downing, Kathryn Esquivel; Tracy & Matt Hamilton (Board Member), Gala Chair Rhonda Chandler, Executive Director Laura Wolf

Top: Golf Committee Members David Chasis and Terrell Edison; Auctioneer Jimbo Cotton, Board Member Jamie Cotton, Trophy Sponsors Denise & Jerry Conway (Honorary Golf Chair)Bottom: John Lewis, Hole-in-One winner Shayne Berry, Kevin Irons, Zak Harrington; Golf Chair Kemp & Dana Kasling

CASAblanca Gala and CASA Kids Golf Classic inspire excitement and hope!

Matching challenge gifts from The Anderson Foundation and a surprise anonymous donor inspired guests at CASAblanca to give a record-breaking $500,000. The gala honored the Topfer Family Foundation for its dedication to child abuse prevention and treatment and featured the inspiring story of Nelly and her CASA volunteer Elvira. One memorable moment was when Zoltan David’s diamond pendant, Star Child, designed to honor the work of CASA, was auctioned for $20,000 to a longtime CASA volunteer!

The CASA Kids Golf Classic raised over $100,000 during the tournament at The Hills of Lakeway Golf and Country Club and the Party Fore the Kids the night before. Golfer Shayne Berry of Spicewood inspired cheers when he hit a hole-in-one to win a Mazda CX5! At lunch, Everett Carmody, a CASA volunteer and board member, told the group how he first learned about CASA at the tournament three years ago.

Both events provided an opportunity for people to learn about CASA’s inspiring vision: to provide a CASA volunteer to every child who needs one. Currently, 108 donors have signed on to provide a child with a CASA volunteer for a whole year by giving $1,500 per year or more.

Meet CASA volunteer Juliet CastañedaJuliet Castañeda, originally from Mission, Texas, grew up as a migrant farm worker with her large family of ten and spent much of her youth travelling to many northern states for her family’s work. She remains very close to her family, especially her twin brother, who is named Romeo. She moved to Austin to attend St. Edwards University where she received her degree in Elementary Education. She currently works as the Training Specialist for Texas CASA.

Juliet has 3 daughters, ages 5, 11 and 13. She is actively involved with her daughters’ school fundraisers and the Parent Teacher Association. She’s

also a pet-lover and enjoys painting with watercolor.

Juliet’s motivation to volunteer with CASA was prompted by the testimonial she read of a Hispanic mother of two helping a Hispanic sibling group in the foster care system. “I knew I could offer my bilingual skills and I value keeping families together,” she says.

According to Juliet, “Being a CASA volunteer has just completely changed my world and has helped me understand what my children could possibly go through in life as teenagers.” She says it has been a fulfilling experience helping her CASA teen and that the “best part of volunteering with CASA is helping guide a youth through the foster care system safely and helping them choose the right path in life, the path to get ahead.”

You can speak up for a child who has been abused or neglected! Become a CASA volunteer.

To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, visit www.casatravis.org/volunteer, attend an upcoming Volunteer Info Session, or contact Director of Volunteers, Sonia Kotecha, at 512.539.2668 or sonia.kotecha@casatravis.org.

C A S A O F T R AV I S C O U N T Y, I N C .

www.casatravis.org 512.459.2272Want our latest news? S ign up for emai l updates on our webs i te .

Non Profit OrgUS Postage

PAIDPermit No. 1678

Austin, TX

CASA of Travis County exists to promote and protect the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected, by training volunteers to advocate for them in courts, in schools and in our community to help them find safe, permanent and loving homes.

Board of Directors: President - Jessica Blacklock; John Berkowitz, Anne Brigham, Everett Carmody, Jamie Cotton, Alicia Duleba, Matt Hamilton, Albert Hawkins, G Herver, Debbie Holley, Kemp Kasling, April Kubik, Todd Lewis, Lee E. Potts, John Recker, Benjamin Rubenstein, David Rubin, Andy Valenzuela, Ashley Wright, Maria Wright.

A Project of

7701 N Lamar Blvd, Ste 301Austin, TX 78752

If you no longer wish to rece ive th is newsletter, p lease contact Sharon Spar l in at 512.539.2653 or sharon.spar l in@casatrav is .org .

Volunteer Info Sessions

Interested in volunteering but want to learn a little more before you apply? Join us at our offices for an upcoming Volunteer Info Session:

Info Session & Lunch Tuesday, July 2nd

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Info Session & Dinner Tuesday, August 6th

6:00 - 7:30 pm

Visit www.casatravis.org/infosession to RSVP for these or future dates.

CASA Superhero Run5K & Kids 1K

Saturday, Sept 21st Mueller Lake Park & Hangarwww.casasuperherorun.com

Register today!