April 6: Child Abuse Prevention Candlelight Ceremony
April 10: Monthly Meeting
April 29: Volunteer Recognition Event
"Children are one third of our population and all of our future."
~Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health, 1981
CASA Volunteers Learn Education Rights of Foster Kids
Colonial CASA's and Newport News CASA's Second Annual Regional Training was a success! JustChildren's Andrew Block spoke last Wednesday at the Great Wolf Lodge on the resources, tactics, and relevant laws to aid CASA volunteers in effectively advocating for children. Resources are available in the CASA office if you would like to learn more about advocating for the education rights of foster children and children with learning disabilities.
The Annual Volunteer Recognition Event will be held at Robin Bledsoe's home in Newport News this year. In the past, many volunteers have indicated that they would enjoy an event at someone's home -- and, we listened! There will be heavy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. We hope that you and your guest will be able to attend.
The Wall Street Journal Mentions CASA
As the "eyes and ears" of the court, you are tasked with presenting all of the facts to the court in a timely manner. As such, we have changed the due date of court reports. From this point forward, all court reports are due to the office 10 days prior to the hearing, which means the Monday of the week prior to the hearing. With the heavy caseload we are currently experiencing, the extra day to read reports is needed by all case supervisors. If you are still awaiting case facts, details, or important updates, please submit your court report to your supervisor and indicate you are waiting for additional information and, you can always submit an addendum. reports submitted after noon on Monday will be considered late.
Colonial CASA has a new auxiliary, the Spirit of Giving, whose mission is to spread the spirit of giving to the children of CASA to bring them a sense of hope, health and well-being, as members of the community from members of the community. Each year, they compile non-denominational Easter baskets for each CASA child. The baskets will be available in the office Wednesday, April 5th. Please stop by as soon as possible to pick up the baskets for your children.
For More Information on the Spirit of Giving, Click Here.
James City County Rotary Auction A Success
The 7th Annual Rotary Auction was a huge success! The James City Country Rotary sold over 400 tickets to the event. The evening was complete with true St. Patrick's Day festivities: a live band playing Irish music and an Irish sing along! Items such as a Tiger Woods' autographed golf towel, Outer Banks' vacations, incredible dinners, and professional artwork were auctioned off to benefit Colonial CASA. If you all were unable to attend this year, we hope you will consider it for the future!
Program Policy Reminder: Suspecting Child Abuse
As you will recall from your CASA Training, it is one of your roles to report suspected child abuse; you are a mandatory reporter per the Code of Virginia. If you suspect that one of your CASA children is being abused, you should immediately contact the Hotline: 259-3201, contact your CASA supervisor, and alert your case worker. Due to your dedication, factual assessments, and instincts, no child was re-abused while a CASA volunteer was assigned to their case in 2004-2005!
April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Remember that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. A candlelight ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 6th, at 7:00pm at the JCC Rec Center Rooms A&B. In-Service hours will be given to those CASA volunteers who attend.
Spotlight on a Resource: CDR
Child Development Resources (CDR) offers comprehensive services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities, or are low income or at risk due to factors other than income. Refer to your Community Resource Directory for additional information or click here.
Please remember Colonial CASA when making your
Combined Federal Campaign donation. Our CFC agency number is 4124
Colonial CASA's and Newport News CASA's Second Annual Regional Training was a success! JustChildren's Andrew Block spoke last Wednesday at the Great Wolf Lodge on the resources, tactics, and relevant laws to aid CASA volunteers in effectively advocating for children. Resources are available in the CASA office if you would like to learn more about advocating for the education rights of foster children and children with learning disabilities.
As the "eyes and ears" of the court, you are tasked with presenting all of the facts to the court in a timely manner. As such, we have changed the due date of court reports. From this point forward, all court reports are due to the office 10 days prior to the hearing, which means the Monday of the week prior to the hearing. With the heavy caseload we are currently experiencing, the extra day to read reports is needed by all case supervisors. If you are still awaiting case facts, details, or important updates, please submit your court report to your supervisor and indicate you are waiting for additional information and, you can always submit an addendum. reports submitted after noon on Monday will be considered late. 
The 7th Annual Rotary Auction was a huge success! The James City Country Rotary sold over 400 tickets to the event. The evening was complete with true St. Patrick's Day festivities: a live band playing Irish music and an Irish sing along! Items such as a Tiger Woods' autographed golf towel, Outer Banks' vacations, incredible dinners, and professional artwork were auctioned off to benefit Colonial CASA. If you all were unable to attend this year, we hope you will consider it for the future! 
As you will recall from your CASA Training, it is one of your roles to report suspected child abuse; you are a mandatory reporter per the Code of Virginia. If you suspect that one of your CASA children is being abused, you should immediately contact the Hotline: 259-3201, contact your CASA supervisor, and alert your case worker. Due to your dedication, factual assessments, and instincts, no child was re-abused while a CASA volunteer was assigned to their case in 2004-2005! 
Remember that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. A candlelight ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 6th, at 7:00pm at the JCC Rec Center Rooms A&B. In-Service hours will be given to those CASA volunteers who attend. 
