June 7-10 2008 National CASA Conference

Contributed by:

Ferlie Yruma

The National CASA Conference provides a unique opportunity for members of the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/ Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) programs across the U.S. to socialize, listen, and learn from each other.

The theme of the 2008 Conference is "How are the Children?" Attendees of the 2008 National CASA Conference will gain a greater understanding of their role in improving the condition of abused and neglected children and obtain tools to further advocate for permanence to stop the cycle of abuse.

For more information about the 2008 National CASA Conference, please click here.

In 2007, two members of our Washtenaw County CASA Program, Virginia H. and Ava A., attended the National CASA Conference at Orlando, Florida. The following excerpt talks about Virginia H.'s experience at the conference:
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2007 National CASA Conference

By: Virginia H.

The National Conference in 2007 was attended by representatives from several CASA programs in Michigan – about 20 persons in all. Ava A. and Gini H. attended from the Washtenaw CASA program.

The conference was held in beautiful and sunny Orlando, Florida. Of course the location offered many attractions and pleasant distractions – but the conference agenda itself offered hefty competition to the distractions.

A pre-conference day offered an in-depth focus on issues of poverty and understanding and intervening within the culture of poverty as well as community-based strategies to break the cycle of poverty – from an individual as well as a system-level perspective.

There were great workshops offered in several different tracts, designed to meet the needs and perspectives of Board Members, volunteers, staff and, in many instances, all of these perspectives. Several topics involved program issues and challenges; while others informed and challenged participants to become involved on emerging issues as well as current ‘hot topics’.

There were leadership development opportunities; tutorials on the “new” training curriculum; technical assistance available for data base applications, media and marketing strategies; and recruitment and retention.

There were also very informative sessions on heavy-weight issues such as:

• Over representation of African American youth in the Child Welfare system;
• Understanding the cycle of sexual abuse (focusing on both victims as well as perpetrators); when it is appropriate to – and why/ how-to pursue the termination of parental rights.
• Cultural competence - making your program culturally responsive;
  
• Reaching out to dads - developing programs of positive male role models; and
  
• Sessions led by persons formerly in the welfare system that had the experience of a CASA having significant impact on their lives.

In addition to workshops and sessions, there were Luncheons with speakers of national importance and supportive of CASA:

• Susan Taylor of Essence Magazine,
  
• William C. Bell of the Casey Foundation;
  
• Jonathan Kozol, author, educator and activist;
  
• Michael Piraino, CEO of Nat’l CASA) and
  
• Some VERY impressive and inspirational former CASA youth.

Dinners and luncheons also featured dancers and other performers from the local area. Vendors abounded with delightful and informational wares. At the end of most days, it was all one could do to make it to the pool and a pool-side repast!!

The 2008 Conference promises to offer equivalent delights unique to the Nation’s capital – as only the Capital can offer.

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