CASA Welcomes New Advocate Supervisor

Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children of Northwest Arkansas is excited to introduce you to the newest edition of our staff, advocate supervisor Vicky Robinson. Vicky is a native Texan who has over twenty years of experience working in Human Services with individuals and children diagnosed with mental health issues in Northeast Texas. Prior to her position as advocate supervisor she also worked in Benton County as a family service worker for the Department of Human Services for a year and a half.

Vicky will be one of two advocate supervisors in charge of Washington County working at NWA CASA. As an advocate supervisor Vicky helps advocates by discussing cases, attending court, helping with reports, and being there to support our advocates in any way that is needed. Vicky has a passion for public service, and she is excited to use her experience working in Human Services to assist our advocates in providing quality representation for abused and neglected children in Northwest Arkansas.

Vicky lives on a farm in South Fayetteville that has been in the family for three generations. She has two grown daughters, a soon to be son who has completed basic training and is on active duty for the National Guard, and four grandchildren. Also part of her family are three Texas Longhorns that she brought with her to Fayetteville, all named after cities in Texas.

One Hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of house you lived in... what kind of car you drove...what your bank balance was...but what will matter is that you were important in the life of a child. -Forest Witcraft

Buffalo Wild Wings and CASA of NWA

Don't forget to eat at any NWA Buffalo Wild Wings on Wednesday, October 20 fro 12pm-2pm and 6pm-9pm!! Bring in the voucher below and CASA of NWA will receive 10% of all food sales!

How Can Wraparound Services Help Your CASA Case?

Wraparound services: What are they and how can they help me while working my CASA case?

Thursday November 4, 2010

6:00pm to 9:00pm

Springdale Police Department

201 Spring Street Springdale, AR. 72764

With Guest Speakers:

Christina Westminster-DHS and Terri Stigall-Daysprings Behavioral Health

***Volunteer Credit of 3 hours towards yearly 12 hours of required training/CEU's. (Continuing Education Units)

Dinner will be provided.

RSVP by Tuesday November 2, 2010

Shelley@nwacasa.org or 725-2213.

Hope to see you there!

Eating Wings for CASA

Get Your Voucher HERE

Increases in Child Abuse Linked to Unemployment

A recent study has linked recessionary unemployment to increases in child abuse. The study, conducted by Dr. Robert Sege the director of the child protective team at Boston Medical Center, has found that for every 1% increase in unemployment there was an increase of reported child abuse of 0.5 for every 1,000 children one year later. Dr. Sege explains that “Over the 18 year period [of the study], when employment went up or down, maltreatment went up or down with a one year delay. So the change in unemployment this year predicts child maltreatment next year.”

This relationship is extremely significant. Research has shown that the adverse effects of childhood abuse and neglect often are carried well into adulthood in the forms of mental illnesses and chronic conditions such as heart disease. Of equally important concern, it has been shown that during recessionary times, though the government increases funding for services such as Medicaid and unemployment benefits, spending for child protective services is often cut.

“There are long term consequences of childhood abuse and neglect,” says Sege. “Lifelong effects.” Because of these effects and the link between child abuse and unemployment, the study shows that during tough economic times it is especially important to continue supporting organizations and services that protect children and help families.

Read the full article: http://healthland.time.com/2010/10/04/side-effect-of-the-recession-an-increase-in-child-abuse/?artId=11127?contType=blog?chn=us

CASA Volunteers at Bikes Blues and Barbeque

If you were in Northwest Arkansas this past weekend than you should know about Bikes, Blues and Barbecue. This event was almost impossible to miss: thousands of participants came to downtown Fayetteville for one of the top motorcycle rallies in the country. What you might not have known, though, is our local NWA CASA was part of an integral group of volunteers that made this event happen. The staff at CASA worked this past weekend at Bikes, Blues and BBQ for a total of over 100 combined hours! We would also like to thank Bikes, Blues and BBQ for their continued support of local charities in Northwest Arkansas. Thanks to a generous $3,000 donation from the rally CASA will be able to continue to recruit and support advocates for abused children in our community!

Shelley, Crystal, and Brandy volunteering at Bikes, Blues and BBQ