Lexington, Ky. (Date) – CASA of Lexington is honoring a pair of retired educators as Volunteers of the Month for October: Vicki Ritchie and Ute Keathley.

Vicki Ritchie

Vicki Ritchie

Vicki Ritchie began serving as a CASA volunteer this year and has already made a difference for her CASA children.

"Her case is complicated," said Mary Beth, Ritchie's Volunteer Manager. "It involves different out-of-county placements and a complex history. But to Vicki, that's just her case. She is persistent, dependable and just plain likable, which goes a long way with the children we serve and the families we work with."

Ritchie is a retired principal, which she said has served her well on her particular case. CASA of Lexington often matches volunteers with cases where their individual skillsets will be helpful.

"I think people in the community have all different kinds of skills and talents and experiences that could come to bear in working with children and families that are going through tough situations," Ritchie said. "And there's a very flexible schedule. In case you have a busy life, it fits really well. I would encourage anybody that's looking for a volunteer opportunity to look into CASA and learn more about it."

Mary Beth said Ritchie's reports to the judge are thorough and have had an impact on the trajectory of the case.

"They not only provide the judge with a vivid image of the children and their needs, but also their interests and the things that are important to them," she said.

Ritchie said she appreciates how servign as a CASA volunteer allows you to use whatever talents you have to support children and families in what may be "the toughest moment of their lives."

"Not only are you helping a family that's in need, but it contributes to your own knowledge," she said. "It's a growing opportunity for the volunteer, as well."

Ute Keathley

Ute Keathley

Ute Keathley has been a CASA volunteer in Fayette County for more than two years and is serving on her third case.

"The most rewarding thing is that you get to stay in contact with kids at a time when they need some stability in their lives," she said. "You are the one that gets to see them regularly, so you provide stability even if the current placement doesn't work out for whatever reason. Overall, you leave a great, positive impact for children who need it."

Cara MacLeod, Keathley's Volunteer Manager, said as a former preschool teacher, Keathley understands family dynamics and is able to easily connect and build relationships with her CASA kids.

"She is such a joy and a bright light to be around, always ready to take on a new case no matter the difficult circumstances," MacLeod said. "Through building relationships and advocating in the court system, Ute has already made a huge difference in the lives of her CASA kids."

Keathley learned about CASA of Lexington at Run The Bluegrass, an annual half marathon held in central Kentucky. Helping abused children appealed to her, but like many eventual CASA volunteers, she had a busy schedule that prevented her from taking on the job immediately.

"It took me a while to feel like I actually had the time in my life to commit to it," she said.

When she had time later, she came back and was trained as a CASA volunteer.

"It is less of a time commitment than I thought it would be," she said, noting there is a good amount of work when a case starts.

But after the initial assignment, Keathley pointed out much of the work CASA volunteers do can be done on their own schedules, not at preset times like might be required for other volunteer work.

"It is a little intimidating to think you'll be in court and you have to represent these kids. But it is totally doable," she said. "I think if I can do it, anybody else can totally do it, too. There's great support from your volunteer manager and CASA staff."

CASA volunteers, clockwise from top left, Kelley Sloane, Anne Flynn, Ava Crow, Sandy Nichols, Kelly Hale and Doug Myers are working the longest ongoing CASA cases in the Fayette County family court system.

Since 2014, Trevor has had at least five different social workers. He’s also had many different foster parents, therapists and teachers.

Trevor, whose name has been changed in this story to protect his privacy, was still elementary-school age when he was removed from his home, along with his siblings. He is now in high school. All along, he has been looking for a permanent family in a world of change.

But there has been at least one constant in Trevor’s life: his CASA volunteer, Kelley Sloane.

"He knows that no matter what, there's this one constant person that has always been there,” Sloane said. “I won't quit. I'm not going to stop with him until he doesn't want me around anymore. I will always be there for him, in whatever form that takes."

Sloane is one of six CASA volunteers honored this September by CASA of Lexington as the nonprofit organization’s “Extra Mile” Volunteers of the Month. The volunteers are working the longest ongoing CASA cases in the Fayette County family court system.

The abused and neglected children in these cases have unfortunately been waiting years to obtain permanency. But the CASA volunteers have remained dedicated to advocating for the children’s best interests through every twist and turn.

‘How much tougher is it for them?’

Kelley Sloane

CASA stands for “Court-Appointed Special Advocate” – a unique job in the local family court system filled by regular people who volunteer several hours each month to improve outcomes for abused and neglected children. There are around 200 CASA volunteers serving children in CASA of Lexington’s service area of Fayette, Bourbon, Scott and Woodford counties.

“It’s been wonderful,” Sloane said of her lengthy tenure as a CASA volunteer. “At times, of course, it is challenging from an emotional standpoint. But if it’s tough for me emotionally just hearing about what it’s like for these kids and what they’ve had to live through – what they’re still living through – how much tougher is it for them?”

CASA cases that continue for four, five or even six years are not the norm. Sloane and the other five Extra Mile volunteers represent only around 3% of volunteers with CASA of Lexington. Circumstances make the length of each case unique, but on average, cases last between 18 and 24 months.

Research highlighted by the National CASA Association shows judges often assign CASA volunteers to more severe cases, where, for example, there might be complex problems or a lengthy history of involvement with the child welfare system. Despite that, children who are given a CASA volunteer are statistically more likely to do well in school, less likely to remain in long-term foster care and less likely to re-enter the foster system after their case closes.

‘Tireless advocacy’ for kids

Anne Flynn

CASA volunteers Ava Crow and Anne Flynn have been working as a team on their CASA case for more than five years.

“Through their tireless advocacy, the children have remained in the same stable placement since the beginning of the case,” said Jenifer Bahr, Crow and Flynn’s Volunteer Manager. “They are set to soon be adopted by a very loving family.”

Crow said the children she advocates for are “amazingly strong” and she’s happy to be even a small part of their lives.

Ava Crow

“I generally believe that kids are better off in their biological homes and connecting with a parent who is trying to provide a good home for a child,” Crow said. “Being able to connect with a child who may have few, if any, other connections is very gratifying.”

Flynn said she has found working as a CASA volunteer to be a rewarding experience, as well.

“I feel like I have helped make a difference in children’s lives and I have met many wonderful people along the way whom I now consider my friends,” she said. “CASA volunteers and staff are very professional but they also have big hearts and it is a joy to work with the organization.”

‘The only consistent person’

Doug Myers

Doug Myers is another CASA volunteer with a lengthy case, which has lasted almost four and a half years so far. He became a CASA volunteer after finding out how many children are removed from their homes every year.

Last year alone, there were more than 1,500 substantiated petitions for abuse and neglect in CASA of Lexington’s four counties. Removals don’t happen in every case, but each one of those 1,500+ petitions represents a child whose life has been substantially altered by abuse or neglect.

“I became a CASA volunteer to help provide a consistent voice and face for a child,” Myers said. “In one of my cases, the child was removed from his home and has been in over 15 different foster homes, hospitals and residential treatment facilities over the last five years in the system. He has also had multiple state workers. The only consistent person in this child’s life since his removal has been this CASA volunteer.”

Myers’ Volunteer Manager Kyrsten Adkins said he has traveled all over the state in order to stay connected with his CASA child.

“While everyone else in the world has given up on this child, Doug hasn’t and still sees his potential,” she said.

‘This kid is not going to be lost’

Kelly Hale

It’s definitely “frustrating” to watch a child’s case continue for years without closure, acknowledged Kelly Hale, a CASA volunteer with a case that has been ongoing since mid-2016. But, she added, “It’s been fun to watch him grow up.”

Her CASA boy has seen other children get adopted while he continues to wait. But she has continued to push for his best interests in court and his case is now getting closer and closer to adoption.

“To be able to advocate for somebody who doesn’t have a voice and might otherwise be ignored or passed over just because there are so many kids out there with needs – it’s good to be able to kind of home in on one kid and say, ‘This kid is not going to be lost in the system,’” she said.

Hale said she sees how many more kids could benefit from having a CASA volunteer.

“Social workers go great jobs. They do the best they can, but they have really heavy caseloads,” she said. “So just to be able to pay attention to that one kid is great for that child. Every child needs an advocate.”

‘You can make a difference’

When Sandy Nichols first took her CASA case nearly four years ago, one of the children, a little boy, “would not let me come near him,” she said.

Sandy Nichols

He was wary of her, but she set up boundaries that made him comfortable.

“I think because I kept showing up and talking to him – I don’t remember how many months I was into seeing him, but I was leaving the house one day, and he was looking at me,” she said. “I said, ‘Can I have a hug from you today?’ And he said, ‘Yes!’ And then he asked, ‘Can I hug you one more time?’ And I said, ‘Yes!’

“Then as I was leaving, I don’t know who said it, but someone said, ‘I love you.’ I turned around and said, ‘I love you guys, too.’ That was just so rewarding to know I was making a difference.”

One of Nichols’ CASA children has been adopted, but another is continuing to wait – possibly the toughest part for everyone involved.

“I just don’t know how much longer it’s going to be,” Nichols said.

But even though it can be emotionally difficult, “it’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” she added. “Just to know that you can possibly make a difference in a child’s life to help them, whether that means going back to their biological family or to a foster home.

“If you’re there, I think it’s just rewarding to know you can make a difference in that child’s case.”

Helping kids along – no matter what

Nichols, Hale, Myers, Crow, Flynn and Sloane all acknowledged how frustrating it can be at times to pursue permanency for a child for so long. But they also feel no matter how long their cases might last, their CASA children will have better lives because of their advocacy.

Trevor, Sloane’s CASA child who has been in the system since elementary school, is one example:

“He’s hopefully going to be able to go to a foster family here soon,” Sloane said. “Sometimes, you go through periods and you feel like, ‘I’m not making much of a difference.’ But after getting over the hump, I realized what an important role being a CASA volunteer is.

“I really do feel that I have been able to make some impact in terms of getting his needs met and beyond that, just being that constant for him for the last six years. It’s really rewarding knowing that maybe I helped him along a little bit.”

CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison, left, and Forcht Bank Lexington Market President Houston Hall stand with the Salute to Small Business Nonprofit Community Impact Award CASA of Lexington won as part of the 2020 Salute to Small Business Awards.

CASA of Lexington received the Salute to Small Business Nonprofit Community Impact Award, hosted a Facebook Live event with Commerce Lexington, participated in multiple webinars on business success and more during Commerce Lexington’s week-long Salute to Small Business celebration.

Jamison leads a tour of the CASA of Lexington office during a Facebook Live on Sept. 21.

The week kicked off with a Facebook Live video at CASA of Lexington, during which Executive Director Melynda Jamison explained CASA of Lexington’s mission and took Commerce Lexington representatives and Forcht Bank Lexington Market President Houston Hall on a tour of the building.

Jamison also participated in webinars throughout the week focused on how the Salute to Small Business award-winners had succeeded in their fields, including how they have adapted during the pandemic.

The week wrapped up with a virtual watch party, the pandemic version of an awards ceremony, at which Churchill McGee was chosen as the Small Business of the Year. During the watch party, CASA of Lexington was featured as one of the four Salute to Small Business category winners.

“We were so excited to be selected and I think it shows the countless hours that our volunteers, staff, board members and supporters put in,” Jamison said during the watch party. “Hopefully this is more awareness and people will understand what CASA is and what the need is.”

CASA of Lexington recruits, trains and supports around 200 community volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children in the local family court systems who have been abused or neglected. Volunteers help identify services children and families need so the children can recover from trauma and return to safe, permanent homes faster.

“We depend whole-heartedly on individual donations in order to be able to serve those children,” Jamison said.

You can read more about the Salute to Small Business Awards here. Check out video from all the events and webinars CASA of Lexington participated in below:

Studio46 Video  https://vimeo.com/461942462

Facebook Live  https://www.facebook.com/kwbates/videos/10158622726427497/

Success Stories Webinar  https://youtu.be/ooe6RgA_trM

4 O’Clock Focus on Marketing Strategies https://youtu.be/XGN8TUdrmpM

Watch Party  https://vimeo.com/462862119

Lexington, Ky. (Sept. 17, 2020) – CASA of Lexington has won the 2020 Nonprofit Community Impact Award from Commerce Lexington. The organization will be celebrated along with other Salute to Small Business award-winners during a week of special virtual events, held Sept. 21-25.

“It is an honor for CASA of Lexington to receive the 2020 Nonprofit Community Impact Award from Commerce Lexington,” said Melynda Jamison, Executive Director of CASA of Lexington. “The award speaks to the work of our CASA volunteers, board members, staff and supporters. We are proud of the work we do on behalf of the children we advocate for and could not do it without the collaborative effort of everyone.”

CASA of Lexington recruits, trains and supports community volunteers known as Court-Appointed Special Advocates or CASA volunteers. CASA volunteers are appointed to cases of child abuse or neglect and serve as the eyes and ears of the family court judge. They develop friendships with the children they serve and advocate for the best interests of the children in court.

The impacts of CASA advocacy are remarkable: Research has shown children with a CASA volunteer have significantly higher levels of hope about the future and perform better academically. They also receive more services ordered by judges and are moved between placements less frequently during their case. Children who had a CASA volunteer are also half as likely to re-enter the foster care system again.

CASA of Lexington was originally a program of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, but transitioned to nonprofit status in 2003. Over the past decade, the organization has grown from 46 volunteers serving 120 children to more than 200 volunteers serving more than 600 children.

CASA of Lexington is one of four award-winners announced by Commerce Lexington in advance of its week-long celebration of the annual Salute to Small Business Awards. Elaine Allen LLC is receiving the Minority Business Award; Churchill McGee is receiving the Business Success Award; and AU Associates Inc. is receiving the Entrepreneur Award.

CASA of Lexington’s award will be celebrated with a Facebook Live event from Commerce Lexington at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 21. There will also be a webinar that day at 2 p.m. featuring award winners, including CASA of Lexington. The week’s events culminate with a live watch party featuring the award winners and an announcement of the Overall Small Business of the Year at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25. To see a full schedule of events and register for watch party, visit www.commercelexington.com/event-schedule.

Alvin Seals and Rev. Chrysanthia Carr-Seals are sworn in by family court Judge Lisa Hart Morgan on June 2.

Retired Professor Alvin Seals and Rev. Chrysanthia Carr-Seals, J.D., were sworn in as CASA of Lexington’s newest volunteers by family court Judge Lisa Hart Morgan on June 2, 2020.

Alvin and Chrysanthia, who now advocate for abused and neglected children in Bourbon County, were the first two volunteers to complete CASA of Lexington’s new virtual, “guided learning” training curriculum.

The new curriculum enables volunteers to complete the required 30-hour training via virtual classes held over Zoom and homework assignments they complete on their own time. The new curriculum can be completed entirely virtually or in a hybrid format with some in-person meetings.

Chrysanthia and Alvin were excited to serve the Bourbon County community through CASA.

“Based upon our religious convictions and dedication to church and community, we are motivated to serve people in various ways, particularly for children who are experiencing difficulties in their pursuit of life and happiness,” they said. “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14).’”

Chrysanthia is a reverend at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Paris.

From National CASA / GAL

As children across the nation have returned to school in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic – whether in person or virtually – the work of a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) or Guardian ad Litem (GAL) volunteer continues to be essential now more than ever. Children who have a court-appointed volunteer are more likely to succeed in school.

Here are some examples of how a CASA/GAL volunteer can stay connected to the children they serve during the new school year:

1. Many children may experience excitement or anxiety about starting school, especially during COVID-19. CASA/GAL volunteers can check in with the child and family they serve with a phone call or virtual meeting and ask them to share their feelings and anticipation about the new school year.

2. CASA/GAL volunteers are normally in frequent contact with teachers and school administrators to form a partnership to better understand the child’s unique strengths and challenges. Volunteers can reach out to the child’s school team virtually to establish a rapport. These interactions with the child’s school, combined with the volunteer’s relationship with the child, empower the volunteer to advocate in court for what the child needs to thrive academically.

3. CASA/GAL volunteers can engage with the child’s parents, sometimes serving as a coach or advocate for parental involvement in education matters.

4. If a child is receiving tiered response to intervention, special education or 504-related services, CASA/GAL volunteers can attend virtual school meetings and recommend strategies that support the child’s success in school such as tutoring, therapies, assistive technology, and other accommodations. They can also advocate for placement stability, knowing that frequent school transfers can cause a child to fall behind.

5. During the pandemic, CASA/GAL programs and volunteers are seeing significant gaps in distance learning technology (e.g. laptops, chrome books, iPads and/or internet access) for the children and families we serve. Volunteers can make sure those resource gaps are known to the child’s team, and in some cases, CASA and GAL programs are able to collaborate with community organizations or corporate partners to identify solutions.

6. Children who have experienced abuse or neglect are involved with multiple systems—the court system, the child welfare system, the school system, and the health care system. CASA and GAL volunteers can help connect the dots between these systems to ensure that information is shared, when appropriate, to get the best possible outcomes for children. CASA/GAL volunteers can work with the school social worker or child protective services staff member to advocate for comprehensive wraparound services for the child, including primary health, mental health and dental care, pandemic food assistance, mentoring and post-secondary education awareness.

7. For children in the system, pursuing “normal” childhood activities can be a challenge because of frequent moves, resource challenges or shame. CASA/GAL volunteers can make sure the court knows when a child has special interests and help remove barriers so the child can participate in extracurricular activities.

As you know, advocacy doesn’t stop during COVID-19. The complexities of the times may cause CASA/GAL volunteers to view the situation with a different lens and be aware of the need for different resources given the “new normal.” As children head back to school, having caring, consistent adults listen and put the child’s best interests before all others can make all the difference. Thank you for everything you do.

It was amazing to see all the people who came out for the 2020 CASA Superhero Run on Sept. 5! We are so grateful to everyone who has participated and fundraised to make this year’s event a success!

During these unprecedented times, the race does not end here. We know that all kids need heroes, but abused and neglected kids need superheroes. This is why we have decided to extend our individual fundraising to Sept. 15! This next week, we are depending on you to help reach our goal. The money raised goes directly to supporting our mission of training and supervising volunteers to advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children. We are only $2,191 away from our fundraising goal. We know we can get there together and are looking to you to put on your cape and help us fly past the goal!

With this extension, we have added even more incentive prizes. In addition to the Papa Murphy’s Pizza for a Year raffle for raising $100, you will also be entered to win: 1) a Private Party Pilates Session for up to 6 participants with Mind Over Body Studio and 2) twelve free drink certificates and a pound of Organic Guatemala Whole Bean coffee from Nate’s Coffee. Each prize will be a separate raffle. For every additional $100 raised, you will receive an extra entry to the raffle for one of these three prizes. If you have yet to raise funds, it is not too late! Email, text and post your unique link. If you haven’t created a fundraising page, instructions on how to do so are below:

• Start by clicking here

• Type in your name, where it says “Your Fundraiser Name”

• Create a custom URL that we will use to send to your friends

• Type in a password for your account

• Set your “Fundraiser Goal” to $100

• Fill out the rest of the “Become a Fundraiser Form”

• Scroll down

• Click “Set Up Fundraiser”

• Check out fundraising incentives

Thank you for your support and helping to make the 2020 CASA Superhero Run incredible!

Clockwise from top left are Kelley Sloane, Anne Flynn, Ava Crow, Sandy Nichols, Kelly Hale and Doug Myers.

This month, CASA of Lexington is celebrating six dedicated volunteers who are working our longest-running current cases. Each of them has been named a Volunteer of the Month for September, and given an "Extra Mile" award for their service.

These volunteers have been advocating for the children on their cases for years, following them for significant portions of their lives. CASA volunteers provide children with a familiar, consistent adult who stays with them no matter what else might be changing about their lives. In these lengthy cases, the volunteers' dedication has had and will continue to have a huge positive impact on their children's lives.

Here are the six "Extra Mile" Volunteers of the Month:

Kelley Sloane has been assigned to her CASA child's case for six years. She has spent more than eight years as a volunteer with CASA of Lexington.

"She has been the only consistent person in this child's life and has advocated for him through every step of this case, even when it has been incredibly difficult," said Jenifer Bahr, Sloane's Volunteer Manager. "She has been so dedicated to this child and making sure his needs are not only met, but he finds his perfect forever family."

Ava Crow and Anne Flynn have been working together on their CASA case for more than five years. It's a case they've been following since just four days after they graduated from their pre-service training in the summer of 2015.

"Through their tireless advocacy, the children have remained in the same stable placement since the beginning of the case and are set to soon be adopted by a very loving family," Bahr said.

Doug Myers has been advocating for the child on his CASA case for almost four and a half years. He has been a CASA volunteer since 2014. His Volunteer Manager Kyrsten Adkins said Doug calls his CASA child weekly and knows the case better than anyone else.

"His child has been placed all over the state and Doug has been there every month, no matter how far from Lexington," Adkins said. "While everyone else in the world has given up on this child, Doug hasn't and still sees his potential."

Kelly Hale has been a CASA volunteer for almost seven years, and she has been on her current CASA child's case for just over four years. Adkins said Kelly has been a constant in her child's case and that has enabled her to speak up for the child's best interests.

"She has voiced concerns even when in opposition to others and has been right every time about the outcome of those concerns."

Sandy Nichols will have spent four years advocating for the children on her CASA case in October. Adkins said Sandy has really been a champion for the needs of her CASA children.

"They both have special needs and she has voiced concerns and provided solutions to the court," she said. "The judge who presides over her case sees her as a valuable resource, and so do I."

Family court Judge Traci Brislin, far left second from bottom, swears in new CASA volunteers on Aug. 24. The swearing in ceremony was held virtually over Zoom due to the pandemic.

CASA of Lexington expanded its capacity to advocate for abused and neglected children in August when 11 new volunteers were sworn in by family court Judge Traci Brislin.

"What you're about to embark on is something that is fantastic. It can be terrifying at some times, and some of the things you're going to see and listen to from these kiddos may bring you to tears," Judge Brislin told the volunteers, who were sworn in virtually over Zoom due to the pandemic. "But rest assured that no matter what case you get assigned to, every single minute of time that you are giving up and every single minute of time that you are taking away from your families and your lives are changing kids lives for the better. I can't even hardly get it out without tearing up."

Watch video highlights from the swearing in ceremony here.

CASA of Lexington Executive Director Melynda Jamison attended the ceremony and told the volunteers without people like them, "we wouldn't exist."

"You all are the ones who meet the children on the cases and write the reports and make the recommendations on behalf of these children," she said. "The role of a CASA volunteer is crucial in many of these cases."

The volunteers recited their oaths of confidentiality in unison, led by Judge Brislin. New CASA staff members and a new CASA interpreter were also sworn in. The swearing-in ceremony is the final step in becoming a CASA volunteer. Each one completed a 30-hour pre-service training, also held virtually during the pandemic.

CASA volunteers are regular people who are assigned by judges to cases involving child abuse and neglect. They visit the children regularly, interview adults involved in the children's lives, and then write reports for the judge. Those reports provide a comprehensive picture of what's going on in a child's life and helps the judge make better-informed decisions. Children with a CASA volunteer are more likely to receive services they need and less likely to be moved around during the case. And they're more likely to be placed in a permanent, safe home sooner.

Judge Brislin said the reports she gets from CASA volunteers are always thorough and focused on "the most important thing" — what is best for the children.

"It really helps us to improve the quality of life for these kids," she said. "And without you guys, we could not do that."

Judge Brislin told the new volunteers that she's seen how outcomes for kids are greatly improved when they have a CASA volunteer on their case.

"It's going to be something that enriches not only the kids' lives that you're going to be working with, but it's going to enrich your life, as well."

Jason Walton’s connection to CASA programs goes back a long way. One of CASA of Lexington’s newest board members is also the son of Todd Walton, a judge who implemented a CASA program for the 19th Judicial District decades ago.

Jason, who is now CEO of Momentum Construction, said he learned about what CASA volunteers do back when his dad was overseeing the creation of the northern Kentucky program in 1998.

“I soon began volunteering time, building a playhouse to be auctioned for fundraising,” he said. “Over the years, I attended CASA galas and heard many testimonies of CASA’s importance to children’s legal navigation and representation. Later, I become a CASA board member in Judicial District 19.”

Jason is married to Amy and the couple have four kids, Addison, Talan, Anderson and Heartly. His term on the CASA of Lexington Board of Directors began on July 1.

CASA of Lexington helped change the stories of 625 abused and neglected children last year. Our volunteers aren’t just an important piece of that work, they are the heart and soul of what we do! They are also the best chance we have to serve even more children this year and next. The best way to find more people to serve as CASA volunteers is through our existing volunteers.

If each CASA of Lexington volunteer recruited just one more person to go through our training and become a CASA volunteer, we could double the number of children served. Can you imagine if 1,200 children benefited next year from having a CASA volunteer? It would be a truly incredible impact — far beyond what any one of us could do. But it is possible if we work together, and it all starts with one.

We’re launching this One-to-One Volunteer Recruitment Campaign to try and turn the possibility of that incredible impact into a reality. We’ll be sharing progress as we go on how many new volunteers our current volunteers help us recruit, and celebrating our successes together!

Our new recruitment tips sheet is available for volunteers here, and CASA of Lexington is ready to help with recruitment 24/7. When a volunteer recruits a prospective volunteer, they will be entered in a monthly recruitment prize drawing. Email info@casaoflexington.org for more information or with any questions.

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/