Volunteer Spotlight - Lions and Tigers and Laurie, Oh My!

Learning Adventures for Kids

Court Reports

9th Annual Wisconsin CASA Conference

Lions and Tigers and Laurie, Oh My!

Imagine that you are eight years old, and summer vacation is just around the corner. That means a break from school, lots of time to play with friends, spend time outside, and do fun summer activities, right?

Without the help of CASA volunteer Laurie Llanas, this would not have been the case for eight-year-old Elise.

Elise and her baby sister live with their grandmother in a neighborhood that is known for being rough. She also has a younger brother who lives with his father. For safety reasons, Elise's grandmother does not let her play outside very often. That also means that Elise does not know many other children in her neighborhood. It looked like Elise would spend most of her summer cooped up inside the house, helping her grandmother take care of the baby.

Laurie met Elise in May 2010 when she was designated as the CASA volunteer for her case. She became a new CASA volunteer after learning about CASA on the Dr. Phil show. As a former school teacher, she had worked with children for many years. The CASA program inspired in Laurie a further desire to make a difference in the lives of kids involved in the child welfare system.

CASA Volunteer Laurie Lanas with her husband, Gil.

When it came to finding a way to help make Elise's summer special and fun, Laurie was ready and willing to do whatever it took. Teachers especially know just how much kids benefit from being active and engaged during their breaks from school.

As summer vacation from school approached, Laurie began exploring summer camps and activities that Elise might find interesting and exciting. "There was not a whole lot going on in Racine, and I wanted to find something for her to do." With summer so quickly approaching, however, it was difficult to find camps or activities for which the deadlines had not already passed. She looked into a variety of summer activities that, for one reason or another, did not work out, but she refused to give up her search. When she finally discovered the summer camp program at the local zoo, things began to fall into place.

"I didn't tell Elise about it because I didn't want her to get excited and then have it not work out. I did let her grandma know, though, and she told her."

The Racine Zoo hosts week-long summer camps each year for children. Children attend the camps with other kids in their own age groups, and they get to spend their days in the zoo learning about animals. Laurie thought this sounded like a great experience that Elise would truly enjoy.

With no time to waste, Laurie figured out whose signatures were needed for all the forms required, and she made sure that everything was turned in on time. The zoo was very cooperative with paperwork and helping Elise receive a scholarship for the camp. Figuring out transportation proved to be the most difficult issue.

Laurie helped make arrangements for Elise to stay after the regular camp hours for an "after camp care" program, from which her uncle who lived close could pick her up each day. It was even an option that Elise could stay with her uncle during the week to make transportation easier. In the end, however, Elise's uncle was able to take her to and from the camp each day so that she would still stay at her grandmother's house.

The camp turned out to be a wonderful experience for Elise, and Laurie was glad to hear all about it. "She liked the camp a lot. She told me about the animals she got to hold and the things she got to make."

Research has proven over and over again that the bond between children and animals can be therapeutic and very beneficial. Check out the American Human Association's website to learn more about this bond and its positive role in the lives of Children. (Photo courtesy of the American Humane Association.)

Is Laurie willing to put this much effort into finding opportunities for her CASA kids again? Absolutely. Elise's two younger siblings might be next! Laurie was glad to do the work necessary to allow Elise to have an opportunity like this. Sometimes the sheer amount of paperwork required can be daunting, but the good experience for the kids makes that work very worthwhile.

Regarding what she has learned about the CASA program and the child welfare system, Laurie is very positive about the attitudes and consistency of those involved. "We really do make strong efforts to take care of our kids. There are so many people involved. There are always people in and out of the house. There is always follow-up."

Laurie's spoken advice to others is this: "People should be aware of programs like CASA and about what's going on in the community. It's always good to have an extra set of eyes." Her actions and efforts, however, speak for themselves. A little bit of effort can go a long way in a child's life.

Learning Adventures for Kids

Finding Fun Activities for Kids

Every year, Kids Matter puts together a list of great free summer activities for kids. These include summer camps, local events and happenings, festivals, and fun activities for families. If you are looking for activities for a child, please do not hesitate to ask the staff at Kids Matter for assistance! Your CASA Program Supervisor can help you locate the resources you need to find kid-friendly fun.

If you are looking for activities that are available year round, check out these opportunities:

• Urban Ecology Center Memberships! Kids Matter has partnered with the Urban Ecology Center (UEC) to provide memberships to foster and kinship families in Milwaukee. With a membership at the club, families can borrow equipment such as canoes, snowshoes, bicycles, camping equipment and more, as well as receive e-mail updates about upcoming events at the UEC. The UEC has two locations in Milwaukee-one in Riverside Park and one in Washington Park. Ice skating is just one of Washington Park's winter highlights! Check out the Urban Ecology Center's website for more information, and contact Kids Matter if you are interested in obtaining one of our free family memberships!
• Betty Brinn Children's Museum Memberships! Every Spring, Kids Matter hosts an annual event at the Betty Brinn Children's Museum, and foster and kinship families are eligible to obtain free memberships for year-round fun! Contact Kids Matter if you would like to receive a membership and find out more information.
• Free Tutoring through Supplemental Educational Services! For MPS students who attend Schools Identified For Improvement (SIFI), free tutoring is available in the areas of math, science, and reading. Visit the MPS website for more information or click here to see the brochure.

Looking ahead to next summer, Kids Matter can help you get in contact with sponsors who provide scholarships so that kids can attend their first summer camp free of charge!

For help finding activities for kids who live outside of Milwaukee, the staff at Kids Matter is more than happy to assist you in any way. Just let us know!

New Policy: Sending Out CASA Reports Before Hearings

In response to changing practices at Children's Court, Kids Matter's CASA staff have begun circulating CASA court reports to the judge or commissioner and all parties two days before the actual hearing. We have adopted this policy effective September 15 because some of the judges have already adopted varying advance filing requirements. In addition, BMCW staff, guardians ad litem, assistant district attorneys and parents' attorneys have regularly expressed interest in receiving reports in advance of hearings so they may consider our recommendations prior to the hearing. Since beginning this practice a few weeks ago, we have received rave reviews from case managers and a guardian ad litem about the value of having your reports available before walking into the hearing!

Your assistance in making this change will be a big help to the children that we serve and the CASA program. Unless your staff supervisor provides an earlier timeline based on a judge's requirement, please send your first draft of your court report to your supervisor at least seven days before the scheduled hearing. CASA staff will review your report and suggest any necessary revisions. After you and your supervisor have finalized the report, CASA staff will send the court and each party an advance electronic copy via e-mail or via fax at least two days before the hearing. Signed, printed copies for the judge/commissioner and all parties will be brought to court on the day of the hearing as before.

This policy is designed to make sure that the important information that you provide at every hearing is received early enough that parties can respond meaningfully in court. The advance electronic copies are final reports, not drafts, so they are not subject to revision based on parties' reactions. Any important events that happen in the last 48 hours before the hearing can be addressed with a written addendum to the report and/or a verbal report at the hearing.

Thanks for your help in making this policy a success! Please direct any questions or comments to Lance or your staff supervisor.  

Not Too Late to Register for Wisconsin CASA Conference!

Who: All CASA Volunteers!
What: Wisconsin CASA Association 9th Annual Conference
When: October 2, 2010, 8 AM-4:15 PM
Where: Madison, at the American Family Insurance Training Center

The Wisconsin CASA Association's Annual Conference is a compelling event that can give you the tools to become a stronger CASA volunteer, and it's also free! You'll be able to choose different sessions to attend, hear from experts about issues surrounding child welfare and foster care, and meet CASA volunteers from all over the state. CASA volunteers can earn 6.5 Continuing Education Units for this year by attending the entire day's worth of events.

Features
The conference will consist of a morning plenary session and six specific workshop sessions, of which attendees may choose two. Dr. Steve Dykstra will present "Brains, Behavior, Biology, and Experience" during the plenary session. Dr. Dykstra is a psychologist in Milwaukee with extensive experience working with families in difficult situations. Workshop sessions include topics about domestic violence, helping kids advance, the impact of trauma on children and families, high risk behavior in adolescents, and drug abuse. All presenters have a wide range of experience with child welfare, coming from organizations like Harbor House, National CASA, and more. During lunch, attendees may also go to an optional session called "Mandatory Reporting and the CASA Volunteer." Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided.

Registration Deadline: September 29, 2010

For more information, as well as links to the brochure and registration form, visit wisconsincasa.org.

Give to Kids Matter Through Community Shares!

It's that workplace giving time of year again!

We would be honored if you would choose to donate to Kids Matter Inc. We are a proud member of Community Shares. Click here to see if your employer supports workplace giving though Community Shares.

It's Time for the 2010 Holiday Giving Tree!

Kids Matter CASA is teaming up again with the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee to get Holiday Presents for every single CASA youth in Milwaukee. This can only be possible with your help!

Each CASA child will receive one gift from the Giving Tree. To help meet their wishes, we need the following:

• Three wishes in the $15-25 price range, and only one wish can be a gift card
• Be very specific with each present - example: size (if child is asking for clothing)

Your CASA Program Manager will get in contact with you very soon by phone or e-mail to get your gift ideas. The deadline for these wishes is Monday, October 4th.

It may seem early to start thinking about the Holidays, but the Volunteer Center needs time to send out the wishes, and companies need time to distribute these wishes to their employees.

Click here for a list of gift idea's by ages and genders.

Dates to Remember

WI CASA Association Conference October 2, 2010 in Madison, WI.

CASA Volunteer Training starts October 13.

Free Bowling Event with Congregation Shalom in celebration of Mitzvah Day: October 17

Opportunity to Learn about Cultural Competence

On Thursday October 14, from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, UW-Milwaukee will host Dr. Rafael Campo, who will share his poetry and prose in an evening entitled: "Cultural Competence: Poetry and the Importance of Voice and Healing." The event will take place in the Union room 240 and 250. It is free and open to the public.

Dr. Campo is a teacher and practitioner of internal medicine at Harvard Medical School. He serves mostly members of the Latino and LGBT communities.

This event is co-sponsored by the Medical College of Wisconsin and is part of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.

Free CASA Continuing Education Opportunity

Pediatric Grand Rounds

The Child Advocacy and Protection Services Program at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is sponsoring a session called "Fostering Healthy Futures: Health Issues and Care for Children in Foster Care." Dr. Moira Ann Szilagyi will speak on Friday, October 1st from 8:30 to 9:30 AM at the CHW Briggs and Stratton Auditorium.

Seating is first-come, first-served, so please plan on arriving early! This session may count for up to one credit of continuing education for physicians and allied health professionals as well as CASA volunteers through the Medical College of Wisconsin. For more information, see the official flyer here.