CASA of Lexington has earned the 2020 Gold Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, a leading nonprofit reporting company.

CASA received the designation because it provides in-depth financial information, as well as information about its goals, strategies, capabilities and progress for the public to view on GuideStar.org.

The information available through GuideStar is used by more than 200 charitable websites and applications, including AmazonSmile, Facebook and Network for Good.

You can view CASA of Lexington’s GuideStar profile here.

5K and Fun Run Will Be Held with Health Precautions in Place

Lexington, Ky. (Aug. 25,2020) - The 8th annual CASA Superhero Run is changing course, literally, to keep everyone safe during the pandemic.

The fun and magical event on Sept. 5 will still feature superheroes, super pets, prizes, giveaways and two running/walking events. But it will now be held at CASA of Lexington's office on Loch Ness Drive. The children's 1K will now be a short fun run in CASA of Lexington's parking lot; and the Superhero 5K will be run on the sidewalks and roads in the neighborhood.

CASA of Lexington has a state-approved plan for holding the event safely, which includes the following measures:

• Masks will be required at all times except for participants during the 5K and fun run events.

• There will be no day-of registration for the running events. Participants must register at lexsuperherorun.com by Sept. 2 or during packet pickup at the CASA of Lexington office, 3245 Loch Ness Dr., between 4 and 6 p.m. on Sept. 3 and 4.

• There will be no festival component and everyone will be asked to maintain safe social distances.

• The entire event will be held outside. Individual restrooms with hand-washing stations will be available.

• One self-serve water station will be available along the 5K course, and pre-bagged food and drink will be available at the finish line.

CASA of Lexington moved the event to its office to accommodate lower attendance levels due to the pandemic. Chip timing will not be available, but there will be clock timing for those who want to keep track of their performance on this unique 5K route.

The 5K begins in CASA of Lexington's parking lot, then loops around the South Park mall. After that, the race take runners down East Reynolds Road to the Crossroads Plaza shopping center on Reynolds Road. The route loops back by the CASA office again before taking runners out to Landsdowne Drive. The route wraps up back at the CASA office.

The children's fun run will still be held at 8:30 a.m.; and the 5K will begin at 9 a.m. The event still includes photo ops with superheroes, music, prizes and giveaways. Pets that come dressed up can win prizes from the Local Barkery.

Registration is open through Sept. 2 at www.lexsuperherorun.com. Packet pickup and in-person registration will be available at CASA of Lexington’s office from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 3 and 4.

Virtual registration is also available for those who would like to participate and support CASA of Lexington without attending in-person. Virtual participants are encouraged to post photos of themselves running and in their superhero costumes on social media using the hashtag #LexSuperheroRun.

IF YOU GO

What: CASA Superhero Run 5K and Fun Run

When: Sept. 5, 2020; children's fun run begins at 8:30 a.m. and 5K begins at 9 a.m.

Where: CASA of Lexington, 3245 Loch Ness Dr., Lexington, KY 40517

Registration: Registration is required by Sept. 2 for 5K and fun run races. Register online at www.lexsuperherorun.com until Sept. 2 or during packet pickup at CASA of Lexington between 4 and 6 p.m. on Sept. 3 and 4.

Social Media: Use the hashtag #LexSuperheroRun and follow @CASAofLexington on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Here are the 5K course directions:

Lexington, Ky. (Aug. 13, 2020) - CASA of Lexington has scheduled two additional rounds of online volunteer training this fall in response to a growing number of people who want to advocate for abused and neglected children.

The trainings will begin on Sept. 21 and Oct. 12. New volunteers will complete the 30 hours of work in November and then be sworn in as CASA advocates.

The new volunteers will be graduating at a time when the need for their services is greater than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has added stress to the lives of many people, increasing the risk for child abuse or neglect. Current pandemic restrictions, while essential for public health and safety, are also expected to result in a wave of new child abuse and neglect cases. As restrictions are lifted, more eyes will be on children again to notice when something is wrong.

CASA volunteers are trained observers who are sworn to confidentiality and appointed to cases of child abuse and neglect by family court judges. They develop friendships with the children they are assigned and interview adults in the children's lives. Then, they provide reports to the judge on their case that provides a complete picture of each child's situation, allowing the judge to make more informed decisions.

On one recent CASA case, a CASA volunteer identified a communication barrier for a child that was leading to behavior issues and proposed a solution no one else on the case had thought of.

"If it weren't for the CASA volunteer, I really don't think this would have come to surface as strongly as it did," the judge on the child's case said. "When I read that CASA report it was like a light bulb went on in my brain."

The child is now getting assistance to overcome the communication barrier and things are looking up.

"Thank God we had the CASA in there," the judge said. "The CASA volunteers bring a very strong voice and they bring our attention to things we need to be paying attention to."

CASA of Lexington's "guided learning" online training format includes seven two-hour group learning sessions held over Zoom, as well as homework participants complete before the group sessions. The training prepares participants to be effective advocates by covering topics such as child development, mental health, poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence, working with LGBTQ youth, writing court reports and understanding the court process.

Prospective advocates who want to start training on Sept. 21 should apply at by Sept. 14 at www.casaoflexington.org/advocates. This training has two time slots available: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 2-4 p.m. on Sept. 21 and 23; Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28; and Nov. 4.

Prospective advocates who want to start training on Oct. 12 should apply by Oct. 5. This training's time slot is 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 12, 15, 22 and 29; and Nov. 5, 12 and 19.

Court observation, a final interview and an official graduation ceremony, all of which will also be held virtually, will be scheduled at a later date or individually with each prospective volunteer.

If none of these times work for a prospective volunteer, CASA of Lexington is always working to schedule more trainings. Please call our office at (859) 246-4313 or email bkleppinger@casaoflexington.org and ask to be notified of future training opportunities.

The 30-hour pre-service training is often one of the biggest time challenges for those interested in becoming a CASA volunteer. The online training format helps make it easier for many to complete a substantial portion of the training on their own time. It's also a beneficial option for people who want to be an advocate in Scott, Bourbon or Woodford counties, because they do not need to commute to Lexington for training sessions.

MORE INFO

If you have any questions or would like more info, you can visit www.casaoflexington.org, call our office at (859) 246-4313 or email bkleppinger@casaoflexington.org. You can also like CASA of Lexington on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @CASAofLexington.

Our Volunteers of the Month for August are Jenn Cathey and Cheryl Rayner. Both of them chose to be CASA volunteers because they wanted to make a difference for kids in their community.

Jenn Cathey

Jenn Cathey understands the chaos and uncertainty faced by children CASA serves.

"The earliest years of my life were tumultuous, but I was saved from those difficult circumstances through adoption," she said. "From that day forward, my story was rewritten and it has meant a happier, healthier life for me.

"When I consider the time I invest when I work with children, families, and caregivers through my role as a CASA volunteer, I know it's a chance to impact lives like mine."

Jenn has been a volunteer in Fayette County since 2018. Her Volunteer Manager Liz Noffsinger said she was instrumental in ensuring an individualized education plan was developed for one of the CASA children she was assigned to, and she has been able to help multiple children obtain stability in loving homes where they can thrive.

"Jenn possesses a strong level of professionalism when in court and communicating with parties to the case," Liz said. "Her communication skills are excellent."

Jenn said CASA of Lexington provides a high level of support, training and resources that enable her to do her work for kids.

"I am proud to be working through CASA of Lexington to ensure victims of child abuse and neglect have a happier, healthier life, in a safe, loving home, free from violence and neglect," she said.

Cheryl Rayner

Cheryl Rayner just became a CASA volunteer this year. She was sworn in by a judge in February and serves children in the Bourbon County family court system.

"As a brand new volunteer, her diligence and attention to detail amazed me," her Volunteer Manager Beka Schwartz said. "Cheryl needed little to no guidance as she quickly built a relationship with everyone on the case, went above and beyond on scheduling visits and phone interviews, and maintained a very objective mindset."

Cheryl said she struggled for two years over whether to become a CASA advocate, after reading about the number of children in Bourbon and surrounding counties who were being placed in temporary custody due to neglect or abuse. There have been 299 petitions for abuse and neglect over the past three years in Bourbon County alone; and more than 4,500 petitions over the same period in CASA of Lexington's service area.

"Those rising numbers weighed heavily on me," she said. "One day I was in line at the grocery store and I witnessed a mother choke and scream at her toddler daughter because the child asked for candy."

Witnessing abusive behavior firsthand hit home for Cheryl.

"That day I decided to become a volunteer."

Beka said Cheryl's dedication to CASA's mission of ensuring abused and neglected children have safe, permanent homes, was evident immediately in her work.

"I assigned her a second case and her excellent work didn't waver," she said. "Cheryl truly puts her heart and soul into CASA and exemplifies what it means to be dedicated to our kids and community."

Maynard Crossland

Maynard Crossland is one of five people who have joined the CASA of Lexington Board of Directors this year. He is the President and CEO of Shaker Village, and he has also served as a CASA volunteer himself.

"It wasn't until I served as a CASA volunteer that I truly understood the depth of the problem facing kids today who are innocent victims of abuse and neglect," Crossland said. "My time as a CASA volunteer was one of the most rewarding times of my life, as it gave me a front-row seat as I watched a young boy who had endured circumstances that were beyond my comprehension or understanding find hope and embrace what was now possible for him."

Crossland lost both of his parents at a young age, and while he was not a victim of abuse or neglect, he said his experience gave him some sense of what children go through when they lose the stability of their permanent home.

"I knew the fear that invades the dreams of a child when growing up without the foundation of unconditional love," he said. "My success in life was built on the love and support given to me by many people who willingly stepped up to help me survive."

Crossland made it a mission of his to help children in similar situations.

"When I started college, I knew that I had to give back all that had been given to me," he said. "Through the years, I have mentored many children and teens who struggled with the same issues that I had to face throughout my childhood."

Crossland said the boy he served as a CASA volunteer taught him a lot about life.

"I am a strong advocate for the mission of CASA and I look forward to doing my small part in supporting all of you who continue to give innocent children hope for a bright future."

Supporters of CASA of Lexington can help us grow awareness about our mission and find more people to serve as CASA volunteers by liking and sharing CASA of Lexington content on social media, and by being outspoken about their involvement with CASA online!

Here are some quick and easy ways you can support CASA of Lexington on social media this month:

• Aug. 2 is Friendship Day, and CASA volunteers are great friends for the children they are assigned to. Watch for a post from CASA of Lexington and like/share it; or make your own post and tag three friends. Here’s a suggested post: Happy Friendship Day! I’m tagging three of my best friends to help more people learn about CASA of Lexington. CASA volunteers are awesome friends for the abused and neglected children they represent. You can learn more at www.casaoflexington.org.

• Aug. 17 is National Nonprofit Day. Watch for a post from CASA of Lexington and like share it; or make your own post. Here’s a suggested post: (link to casaoflexington.org) For #NationalNonProfitDay, I’m highlighting CASA of Lexington, a nonprofit right here in central Kentucky that helps ensure safety, stability and permanency for hundreds of abused and neglected children every year! You can donate to CASA of Lexington at https://bit.ly/give-casalex.

• All throughout August, CASA of Lexington will be promoting our 2020 CASA Superhero Run 5K event! Like and follow our accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and make sure to like and share our posts about the run so your friends can see what’s happening!

The federal VOCA Fix Act of 2020 would strengthen the federal Crime Victims Fund, which was established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) of 1984. Nationwide, CASA programs receive more than $56 million annually in VOCA funds.

In recent years deposits to the fund have decreased dramatically, which in turn has diminished VOCA funds made available to states; many of which are passed through to CASA/GAL organizations. The decrease is due to less federal fines and fees being collected.

The VOCA Fix Act of 2020 would add funding from deferred prosecution agreements and eliminate match requirements for VOCA state assistance grants while the nation is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

The VOCA Fix Act was included in the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, which has passed the U.S. House. You can help push for further progress by contacting Kentucky senators Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell and asking them to support the VOCA Fix Act. Their contact information follows:

Sen. Rand Paul

Contact form: https://www.paul.senate.gov/connect/email-rand

Main State Office (Bowling Green): 1029 State Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101

State Office Phone: (270) 782-8303

Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 224-4343

Sen. Mitch McConnell

Contact form: https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactform

Main State Office (Lexington): 771 Corporate Drive, Suite 108, Lexington, KY 40503

State Office Phone: (859) 224-8286

Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 224-2541

Here is a template you can use as a starting point to create a personal message for the senators:

Dear (RECIPIENT’S NAME AND TITLE),

I am writing to ask for your support of the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Fix Act of 2020. The Crime Victims Fund (CVF) was established by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 and is administered by the Office for Victims of Crime. The CVF is financed by the collection of federal crime fines, forfeitures and special assessments rather than taxpayer dollars. The Fund helps an average of 3.7 million victims of all types of crime every year. Court Appointed Special Advocate and Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) state organizations and local programs across the country benefit from VOCA dollars in the amount of over $56 million a year which help make possible service to nearly 272,000 child victims.

In recent years deposits to the CVF have decreased dramatically which in turn has diminished the VOCA funds made available to states; many of which are passed through to CASA/GAL organizations. The recent House passed HEROES Act includes the "VOCA Fix Act of 2020." This provision of the HEROES Act includes two important provisions. They are:

In addition to the existing funds deposited to the CVF, funds collected from deferred prosecutions agreements and non-prosecution agreements would also be deposited. This would increase receipts and funds available for VOCA State Assistance Grants.

Eliminates the match requirement for VOCA victim assistance grants now and for one year after the COVID-19 emergency period expires.

Please support the inclusion of the VOCA Fix Act of 2020 in the coronavirus relief package currently under consideration and help retain and increase VOCA funding to CASA/GAL programs across the country who serve children who have experienced abuse.

Thank you very much for your support of victims of child abuse.

Sincerely,

(YOUR NAME)

A new opportunity to become an advocate for abused and neglected children is coming up soon: Online volunteer training from CASA of Lexington will begin Aug. 25.

CASA of Lexington's online-only training option is helping people become fully trained CASA volunteers, even during the pandemic.

CASA volunteers spend about 10 hours a month on their assigned family court cases. They develop relationships with the children on their cases, interview adults involved in those children's lives, and write reports and recommendations for the judge. CASA volunteers are independent and advocate solely for the best interests of the children.

Through our online, guided learning curriculum, new volunteers receive 30 hours of training from our experienced Volunteer Managers, just as they would through in-person training. About 70% of the work is completed on your own time; and the other 30% is completed in virtual group sessions held over Zoom. Volunteers also complete their required court observation hours over Zoom.

There are currently two time slots available for the group sessions: 8-10 a.m. and 2-4 p.m. The group sessions will be held on Aug. 25 and 28; Sept. 4, 11, 18 and 25; and Oct. 2.

A judge will swear in the new volunteers on Oct. 8 and then they can be assigned to their first case.

CASA cases end months faster on average, meaning children are returned to safe, permanent homes sooner. And children who had a CASA on their case are far less likely to have another disruption in their placement. Being a CASA volunteer can be hard work, but it can also be incredibly rewarding.

CASA of Lexington also has an in-person training scheduled to begin on Sept. 8 at our office, 3245 Loch Ness Dr., Lexington. For more information about becoming a CASA volunteer, email bkleppinger@casaoflexington.org or call (859) 484-6551. To apply online, visit casaoflexington.org/advocates.

The Kentucky Bar Foundation has awarded a $5,000 marketing grant to CASA of Lexington, enabling more advocacy for abused and neglected children in central Kentucky.

The grant from KBF will back a marketing campaign to increase awareness and assist with recruitment of CASA volunteers to serve children involved in family court cases in Fayette, Bourbon, Scott and Woodford counties.

CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers advocated for more than 620 children last year, but hundreds more in the local family court systems went without a CASA volunteer. Research has shown cases with a CASA volunteer are closed sooner, and the children involved are substantially less likely to see another disruption in their placement.

The KBF funding will be available for a variety of media purchases, including print advertising, radio advertising and boosted social media posts.

"Once they hear about us, everyone wants to help CASA of Lexington achieve its mission of ensuring every child has a safe, permanent home," CASA of Lexington Community Engagement Coordinator Ben Kleppinger said. "KBF is making it possible for more people to hear about us, which is great news for the children in our community who could benefit from having a CASA volunteer."

CASA of Lexington's grant is part of $250,000 awarded to more than 30 nonprofits, programs and initiatives by KBF in 2020.

Kentucky Bar Foundation online: https://www.facebook.com/kybarfoundation/

The 2020 CASA Superhero Run cape design

CASA of Lexington is excited to unveil the design of this year's Superhero Run cape!

This year's cape is a bright shade of cyan chosen by last year's top fundraiser, 10-year-old Ava. Capes are given out to every child who is registered for the Superhero Run’s 1K fun run by Aug. 5.

Ava said she chose cyan because it's a color from one of her favorite video games, Minecraft.

Ava is the daughter of CASA of Lexington supporter and former board member Bryanna Carroll, and has actually been the top individual fundraiser for the Superhero Run, presented by Aetna Health Care, for three years in a row.

Ava said she uses videos on social media to encourage others to give to CASA of Lexington — with some help from her mom.

Ava dressed up as Wonder Woman during a previous Superhero Run

"I'm her videographer, so I shoot her video, and then I post it on social media," Bryanna said.

"I fund-raise because I want children to have safe and permanent homes," Ava said.

The cyan capes are decorated with one of the event's signature cartoon horses and jockeys, created by local artist Rick McGee, as well as the logos of the event’s two Shield Sponsors, Hunt Brothers Pizza and Dan Cummins Chevrolet. Others who register later can receive a cape as long as supplies last.

Even if pandemic restrictions prevent an in-person event this year, registrants will still receive their capes.

Registration is open now for in-person and virtual options at lexsuperherorun.com. Early bird registration is $25 for the 5K and $20 for the 1K until Aug. 5.

You can sign up to be a fundraiser for the event like Ava and earn prizes for what you raise by visiting bit.ly/superhero-fundraiser2020. Prizes for fundraisers range from $5 restaurant gift cards and CASA apparel to a chance at free Raising Cane's chicken for a year and tickets to the next Lexington Comic Con.

Learn more about the run at casaoflexington.org/superhero.

Last Monday night, abused and neglected children in central Kentucky gained 20 new advocates who will speak for their best interests.

Pandemic restrictions didn't stop CASA of Lexington from training its first group of new volunteers through an online format. Those volunteers completed 30 hours of work and were sworn in virtually by Family Court Judge Libby Messer shortly after 5:30 p.m. June 29.

Judge Messer told the new advocates that judges find the work CASA volunteers do incredibly valuable.

"We are so appreciative for what you do," she said. "You make huge differences in the lives of children. I know this is a weird time ... but we appreciate what you're doing."

Judge Messer said CASA volunteers have been able to maintain contact and provide her with information even during the pandemic.

"The reports and information we're getting from our CASA advocates are so, so important," she said.

Kay Yates, Chair of the CASA of Lexington Board of Directors, attended the virtual swearing in and thanked the new volunteers for their dedication to CASA of Lexington’s mission.

“You are the backbone of this organization,” she said.

CASA advocates play a different role in the courtroom from attorneys and guardian ad litems. They are assigned to one case at a time, and they develop personal relationships with children who may have been abused or neglected. They become a stable, reassuring presence in the children's lives at a time when they may be removed from the homes they knew and feeling scared and alone.

The volunteers will serve as the eyes and ears for judges like Judge Messer, who serves in Fayette County in the 22nd Circuit Court. They provide written reports that often identify unmet needs of their assigned children and make recommendations focused on what would be in the children's best interest.

Cases with a CASA advocate assigned to them last on average five and a half months shorter, and children are 88% less likely to wind up back in court later on.

All 20 new volunteers repeated the oath recited by Judge Messer, and were greeted with cheers and smiling faces when they officially become court-appointed special advocates.

"Congratulations everyone," CASA Program Manager Jenifer Bahr said. "We're so excited and we can't wait to get you quickly assigned to your very first case."

John Looff

As an obstetrician and gynecologist, Dr. John Looff helped many children start their lives well. Now in retirement, Dr. Looff is continuing to help in a different way.

As a trained court-appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteer, he speaks for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the Fayette County family court system.

Looff has been a CASA volunteer for two years, and the work he’s done has made an impact — so much so that CASA of Lexington has named him one of its volunteers of the month for July 2020.

“John has gone above and beyond to ensure the needs of his CASA kids are met,” said Looff’s Volunteer Manager, Kyrsten. “The judge often comments how John’s reports give her the entire story, which she is grateful for. John has also formed a strong bond with his CASA kids. He is their first call when they have a question or need advice and he is always there when they need him."

Looff said he wanted a way to give back to his community in retirement and saw becoming a CASA advocate as a great opportunity. He said he’s loved the personal interactions with children and getting to be a part of their lives.

“I’ve found that just the smallest of gestures are so appreciated by the kids. I underestimated that,” he said. “I didn’t think I had done anything out of the ordinary. I had just been there for the kids. I think it says more about what the needs of the kids are and where they’ve been and what they lack.

“It’s just those real simple things that we take for granted that mean so much for them.”

Kyrsten said Looff has helped children by finding tutoring services, by connecting kids with clothing and food resources available in the community and by working with others to ensure his assigned kids remain protected and safe.

“John has made a huge difference in these children’s lives, but he’s so humble, he won’t take any credit,” she said. "John’s advocacy has allowed these children to thrive.”

Jennifer Rock

Jennifer Rock worked with children for the social services organization Bluegrass Impact before becoming a stay-at-home mom.

But she really missed working with kids who have needs and helping meet those needs.

“I just kind of wanted to get back in the game,” she said. “I really enjoy working with CASA kids and families — just being a support for them.”

Rock is one of CASA of Lexington’s Volunteers of the Month because of the work she’s done advocating for her assigned children.

Rock’s Volunteer Manager Mary Beth said there’s one word that comes to mind before any others when describing Rock — “tenacious.”

“She leaves no stone un-turned to help her kids,” she said. “She’s continued to see her current child in-person during the shutdown — they go on socially distant walks that allow them to talk privately. I think this proved important because Jennifer was able to continue to develop that bond when the child was isolated from other support systems.”

Rock said she works with others on her case, such as workers with the Department for Community-Based Services, to make sure everyone knows what’s going on. And her frequent contact with family members has proven useful.

“I feel like I probably know more about the case than anybody else does because of my contacts with the family,” she said. “It’s great being able to make any kind of a difference for a kid and their family if I can — even if it’s small.”

Rock said she’s learned firsthand that being a CASA volunteer really can make a difference in children’s lives. “I wish more people would do it."

Connie Harvey is one of five new faces on the CASA of Lexington Board of Directors in 2020. But she's not new to leading organizations to success.

Harvey is an experienced corporate executive and a board director with experience on public, private and non-profit boards.  She is currently an Independent Director of C.I. Thornburg Company, a privately held engineering company; she also served as an Independent Director on the board of Mettler Toledo International from 2015 to 2019.

She has served on the Bluegrass Community and Technical College Foundation Board since 2011, is a board member for Goodwill of Kentucky, and is a former COO of Healthcare Services for Xerox Corporation.

Harvey is joining the CASA of Lexington board after serving as a CASA volunteer herself for the past two years.

"I have learned the critical need for advocacy and action on behalf of vulnerable children and families involved in the foster care system," Harvey said.  "I have been very impressed with the CASA organization, the management team and, most importantly, the mission.  While it can be emotionally draining at times, when your CASA child finds a permanent home, it is incredibly rewarding."

Harvey, a native of Iowa who lived for 18 years in Jamaica before moving to Lexington, began her four-year term on the CASA board on July 1.

"I look forward to working with CASA of Lexington to achieve the vision of a community where every child lives and thrives in a safe, caring and permanent home.”

Lexington, Ky. (June 17, 2020) — CASA of Lexington will offer a fall pre-service training for prospective volunteers beginning on Sept. 8.

Participants will complete 30 hours of training sessions at CASA of Lexington's office, 3245 Loch Ness Dr. in Lexington. After graduating, they can be assigned to cases of abused and neglected children in the family court systems of Fayette, Bourbon, Scott and Woodford counties.

CASA volunteers develop relationships with their assigned children and interview adults involved in the children's lives, in order to serve as eyes and ears for the judge. They make recommendations based on the best interests of the children.

Cases with an assigned CASA volunteer are closed on average five and a half months sooner, meaning children are returned to permanent, loving homes faster. CASA of Lexington volunteers spoke for more than 620 children in 2019, but there were still hundreds more cases of abuse and neglect that could benefit from a CASA volunteer.

The fall training schedule is:

• Sept. 8, 5:30-8:30 p.m. — Exploring the Volunteer Role

• Sept. 15, 5:30-8:30 p.m. — Attachment: The Well-Being of the Child

• Sept. 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. — Trauma, Resilience, and Communication; Mental Health and Poverty

• Sept. 22, 5:30-8:30 p.m. — Substance Abuse and Cultural Competency

• Sept. 29, 5:30-8:30 p.m. — Domestic Violence and Diversity

• Oct. 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. — Educational Advocacy, Older Youth and LGBTQ; Working a Case, Court Reporting, Wrap Up

• Oct. 6, 5:30-8:30 p.m. — Wrap Up & Volunteer Panel

• Oct. 8, 5:30 p.m. — Swearing In

Volunteers also complete prework activities and four hours of court observation before being assigned to a case. Volunteers must be 21 years old, pass a background check and commit to serving a minimum of two years, in order to ensure they can see their case through (the average case lasts 18 months).

For more information, contact Ben Kleppinger at bkleppinger@casaoflexington.org or (859) 484-6551. To apply to be a CASA volunteer, visit casaoflexington.org/advocates.

CASA of Lexington is hiring an administrative assistant to work out of our Lexington office. To apply for the position email a cover letter, resume, three references and salary requirements to mjamison@lexingtonky.gov. 

Duties and responsibilities of the position include:

1. General administrative duties such as copying, mailing, filing, drafting letters, data entry, document production, maintaining spreadsheets, making deposits, etc.

2. Assure the maintenance and organization of volunteer, staff, board member and general files. Including performing background checks as needed.

3. Complete all direct mail campaigns.

4. Log incoming donations and prepare donor thank you letters. Including delegation of board correspondence with donors.

5. Track the acquisition of in-kind donations including race donations and silent auction items.

6. Track continuing education hours for all volunteers and communicate hours needed for the year each quarter.

7. Assist with tracking donations and donor information.

8. Maintain the volunteer lending library.

9. Prepare monthly birthday and special occasion cards for volunteers, board members and others.

10. Create and maintain CASA advocate, Friends of CASA and intern application packets.

11. Provide CASA case management support services to CASA staff.

12. Assist with planning, preparation and participation in special events, fundraising and other development activities as needed to represent the program.

13. Meet annual goals set for position/program.

14. Any other reasonable duties as assigned.

Qualifications of Administrative Assistant position: Experience administratively preferred.

Conditions of Employment: Flexible schedule includes regular office hours and occasional evening and weekend work. Light bending and lifting for some office work. Must have daily transportation in order to pick up and deliver mail, make bank deposits, purchase supplies and represent CASA at functions.

Organization earns prestigious ‘Service Enterprise’ designation from Points of Light 

Lexington, Ky (June 9, 2020) – Points of Light and Serve Kentucky, the state agency that manages programs and initiatives aimed at increasing the number of Kentuckians engaged in service and volunteering, recently certified CASA of Lexington as a “Service Enterprise.” CASA of Lexington is part of the very first Service Enterprise cohort that certified in Kentucky. 

This prestigious certification recognizes CASA of Lexington as a leading organization in volunteer engagement, leveraging its volunteers’ skills, talents, and resources strategically and thoughtfully at all levels of the organization. Organizations that certify join the top 11 percent of nonprofits nationwide in volunteer management and organizational performance. 

“CASA of Lexington relies on volunteers to provide our mission of advocating for child abuse and neglect victims. However, not everyone can volunteer in that role,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director. “Becoming a certified Service Enterprise helped us develop new ways for volunteers to serve in areas of expertise they may have outside of our traditional advocacy role and serve as a Friend of CASA, which will support our overall mission. We are excited to officially launch this new role of volunteering within our organization.” 

To achieve certification, CASA of Lexington completed an extensive assessment, training and coaching to better integrate volunteers into their organization. Research conducted by the TCC Group, a national program and evaluation firm, found that organizations operating as Service Enterprises outperform peer organizations on all aspects of organizational effectiveness, and are more adaptable, sustainable and capable of scaling their work. 

The Service Enterprise Initiative is a national change management program that helps organizations gain a greater return on volunteer investment to better achieve their mission. For further information regarding the Service Enterprise Initiative and Serve Kentucky, visit https://serve.ky.gov/volunteers/Pages/capacity.aspx.  

About CASA of Lexington 

CASA of Lexington’s trained and supervised volunteers advocate through the family court systems in Fayette, Bourbon and Woodford counties to ensure all victims of child abuse and neglect are safe and thrive in a permanent home. We are adding Scott County to our coverage area in 2020. Changes such as where the child lives or goes to school, changes in social workers, teachers and friends, as well as the uncertainty of what life holds, can be very overwhelming for these children.  The CASA volunteer is there to help recognize what the child needs, work to minimize these detrimental changes, and advocate for positive changes for the child’s future. Learn more or let us know you’re interested in volunteering at casaoflexington.org/volunteer or by calling (859) 246-4313.

A relatively new volunteer and a veteran volunteer with more than six years of service have been chosen as our Volunteers of the Month for June.

Debbie Schumacher

Debbie Schumacher is still in her first year of service as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate in Woodford County. But she has already made a significant impact for children in the Woodford family court system.

CASA volunteers are appointed by judges in order to provide an outside perspective on what children involved in family court cases need. They often identify gaps in services and recommend changes to help improve children’s lives.

Debbie’s volunteer manager Jeanne Box said Debbie works quickly to meet with medical providers, teachers, counselors and others, in order to give the judge a good sense of each child’s needs.

Debbie said she is one of four or five members of St. Andrews Anglican Church who have become CASA volunteers since Box introduced them to the program.

“I really like getting to know the children that I’m involved with, as well as the parents,” Debbie said.

Her cases have so far not involved any extreme instances of abuse or neglect, as some CASA cases do. But Debbie said she’s been happy to discover that she can make a big difference for children regardless of their situation.

“I think it just points to how CASA is involved in a whole range of different cases,” she said. “It has been really rewarding. It’s really important that the kids have someone they know who can really speak for them.”

Judy Papania

Judy Papania was also named a Volunteer of the Month for CASA of Lexington. Judy has been speaking for CASA children in Fayette County for more than six years, and during that time, she has worked some difficult cases involving abuse and neglect.

“It is something that can be emotionally draining. But it is rewarding at the same time,” Judy said. “It’s nice to see children be in a better place and thrive — to know that people care about them and they’re not alone. That’s rewarding. It’s also made me new friends.”

Judy said there are CASA staff members she has befriended, as well as foster parents from previous cases who are still her friends today. And she is still a part of the families of some former CASA kids to whom she was assigned.

“I have children that have been adopted that I’m still in touch with from way back,” she said.

Judy’s six years of service make her one of CASA of Lexington’s most experienced volunteers. CASA asks every volunteer to commit to at least two years of service, in order to ensure each child who gets a CASA volunteer can keep that same volunteer throughout their case.

Many CASA children have been removed from their homes of origin. They deal with a lot of confusion, fear and trauma. Their CASA volunteer is a familiar, friendly face that can help provide them with stability and hope.

“Judy is a fantastic volunteer who works tirelessly to ensure each child’s individual needs are met,” said Cara McLeod, Judy’s volunteer manager. “She is a consistent figure in her CASA kids’ lives in the midst of difficult times. She is understanding, compassionate and empathetic with the families she serves."

CASA of Lexington’s next volunteer training begins July 6 and lasts through Aug. 13. The trainings are being held in a guided learning format through online meetings in order to comply with current safety guidelines regarding in-person gatherings.

CASA volunteers are assigned to help abused and neglected children whose cases are moving through the family court systems in Fayette, Bourbon, Woodford and Scott counties. Unlike anyone else involved in their case, a CASA advocate’s only objective is looking out for the best interests of the children.

On average, children with an appointed CASA advocate see their cases resolved sooner, find safe and permanent homes faster, and are less likely to re-enter the family court system later on.

CASA of Lexington served more than 600 children in 2019. Unfortunately, that represents less than half of all the new cases of abuse and neglect filed that year.

By becoming a CASA advocate, you can step into this gap and help. You will not only befriend a child sorely in need of a positive adult role model, but you will help ensure that child can have a safe, happy childhood.

After an initial 30 hours of training, each CASA advocate is sworn in by a judge and observes in family court before receiving their first case. CASA advocates are expected to spend between 6 and 10 hours a month working on their case, and they are required to earn 12 hours of continuing education credits each year.

Each CASA advocate is asked to serve for at least two years, in order to ensure children don’t have to change CASA advocates during their case. The average CASA case lasts 18 months.

If you would like to apply to be a CASA advocate, now is a great time. You can apply online at casaoflexington.org/advocates. Once you’ve applied and passed an initial screening and background check, you can sign up for CASA of Lexington’s summer pre-service training. The schedule for the training follows:

July 6 — Initial meeting and getting to know you

July 9 — Overview and intro to foundational coursework

July 16 — The Bleux Case and child development

July 23 — The Greene Case, mental health and poverty

July 30 — The Amarillo Case, substance abuse, domestic violence and intro to the court report

Aug. 6 — The Redd Case, court report writing and recommendations

Aug. 13 — The court process, final wrap-up

Supporters gave CASA of Lexington a total of $3,540 during Giving Tuesday Now and KYGives Day 2020.

The amount raised is more than five times larger than the amount raised last year.

The support is helping the nonprofit agency that advocates for abused and neglected children cover some of the fundraising losses it has realized due to the coronavirus pandemic.

More than half of those who gave did so on KYGives Day on May 12, 2020. Almost $1,900 was raised on that day alone, and the average donation was $93. CASA of Lexington was among the top 25% of nonprofits in terms of how much supporters gave on the actual KYGives Day — it placed 58th in the state out of almost 250 participating organizations.

This year, KYGives Day encouraged its participating nonprofits to kick things off a week early, on the international Giving Tuesday Now event. During the full week the campaign lasted, supporters gave $3,540 to CASA of Lexington, with an average donation of $107.

These donations will help ensure CASA is able to continue providing volunteer advocates right now for children involved in neglect and abuse cases in family court, and that the organization is better prepared for an expected influx of reported child abuse cases once pandemic restrictions are lifted.

If you would also like to support CASA of Lexington, you can do so by visiting bit.ly/give-casalex.

CASA of Lexington has partnered with National CASA to provide some national training webinars to our CASA volunteers. These trainings all count toward your annual continuing education hours.

Current volunteers can receive the webinar materials and a link to the recorded webinar by emailing bkleppinger@casaoflexington.org. National CASA will provide a certificate of completion for each webinar, which you can provide to CASA of Lexington when reporting your continuing education hours.

Available webinars include:

Substance Abuse as a Disorder: Part I

Substance Abuse as a Disorder: Part II

Substance Abuse as a Disorder: Part III (Coming in June)

Substance Abuse as a Disorder: Part IV (Coming later in 2020)

Advocating for Indian Children

How to be Resilient in a Pandemic

How Do We Manage Secondary Trauma, Burnout and Compassion Fatigue?