Vigilant Voices™ hosted by Jeannine Panzera and Kristin Blalock from Henrico CASA
By Henrico CASA
YOU Can Know the Issues (Part 1)
Every family situation is unique... But in our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we often see commonalities among our cases. Today, we discuss two specific issues that are cited in more than half of our cases: Mental Health Issues and Substance Use Disorders.
Listen. Learn. And consider how YOU could become part of the solution by volunteering as an Advocate! We have a virtual information session coming up on May 20. Register here.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact atwww.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Jody Alexander
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Jody Alexander, Chief Executive Officer at YMCA of Greater Richmond. Jody shares how she is personally connected to the YMCA's mission AND how she then carries out that mission in RVA.
Click here to find your local YMCA and see what opportunities they have to build your spirit, mind, and body!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Tell Your Story
You story matters. Your story can influence and inspire others. Today, we share Ashley Rhodes-Courter's story... because she so moved us during her key-note speech at Henrico CASA's recent 30th Anniversary Celebration.
We encourage you to watch Ashley's full demo video here.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact atwww.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Show Respect
Respect is defined as 'due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.' Showing respect may look differently depending on with whom you are interacting.
In today's episode, we boil showing respect down to a simple mantra: Listen. Check tone. Watch words. Give it a try!
We also encourage you to check out our 2025 Home for Good playhouses before it's too late! Every $10 donation you make to Henrico CASA between now and May 11 is an opportunity to WIN one of the playhouses!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact atwww.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Mac Beaton
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children.... especially within our local Henrico County Public School system. Today, we welcome Mac Beaton, Director of Career and Technical Education, to talk about finding our students' WHY!
Learn more about Henrico's CTE program here AND see the playhouse built by Mac's CTE students on our Home for Good® webpage. Every $10 donation you make to Henrico CASA is a chance to WIN a playhouse now thru May 11, 2025.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse,neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Celebrate Wins
Celebrating our wins is a positive form of selfcare! When we pause to recognize successes, big or small, we boost our mood, confidence, and resilience.
We invite you to celebrate CASA wins with us every month through our Mission Moment email stories. Sign-up to received these messages as a monthly reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together to protectchildren and help them write the next chapters in their lives.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact atwww.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Take Care
Self care isn't selfish! And in order to model healthy self care for children, we must first be taking care of ourselves. Join us for self care tips for ourselves AND the children in our lives.
And be sure to check out this list of 101 Simple Self Care Ideas for Kids!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact atwww.HenricoCASA.org and on social media:Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: William Roberts (Liesfeld Contractors)
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children.... some are individuals, some are groups or companies. Today, we welcome William Roberts, Liesfeld Contractor's Business Development Manager, to talk about Liesfeld's commitment to Henrico County AND our 5th year collaborating on Henrico CASA's Home for Good® playhouse event!
- Take a look at the adorable line-up of our 2023 playhouses on Liesfeld's truck!
- Get a sneak peek of the 2025 Home for Good® playhouses here!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Offer Stability
Stability is one of the most important factors impactinga child’s development.Life will always throw us curveballs, so change is inevitable. Even so, we can build consistency and predictability into children’s lives to give a sense of stability amid any storm.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work,and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Form Attachment
Attachment is the emotional bond that forms between achild and their caregiver.When the attachment process is disrupted, it takes work to re-establish this trusting relationship… but it can be done! Learn more in today’s conversation with Jeannine and Kristin!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’velearned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact atwww.HenricoCASA.org and on social media:Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Ali Wall
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Ali Wall,Safe Harbor’s Director of Human Trafficking Services, to help us understand the signs of trafficking. Protecting children requires us to be involved and inquisitive!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’velearned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media:Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Calculate Resilience
Children can survive adverse experiences, but we want them to not just survive, but thrive! Positive childhood experiences build up resilience and counteract the potential negative impact of adverse experiences.
Get your resilience score here.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Calculate ACEs
Adverse Childhood Experiences impact a child's present AND future. The more ACEs a child experiences, the higher their risk of a variety of physical, mental, and behavioral health concern. But remember, ACEs can be prevented and their effects mitigated.
Take the ACE quiz here and find out what your score means and doesn't mean.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Babz Barnett
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Babz Barnett, co-founder of Romp n' Roll. Join us in talking through the power of play!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Build Relationships that Matter
Life is better with relationships... and change happens in the context of relationships. That is why developmental relationships are so important to children and teens! Having a trusted adult invest in you through building a relationship leads to so many positive outcomes like academic growth, social/emotional learning, and an increased sense of responsibility and ownership of your life.
Learn more about developmental relationships at the Search Institute.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Start the New Year with Hope
Hope is more than mere optimism. It brings an expectation of things to come! At CASA, we hope this year is better than the last for children who have experienced trauma... and we are committed to making it happen!
Join us in chatting about the science of hope and how we can practice hope with children. In today's episode, we reference the following two articles:
The Science of Hope: More than Wishful Thinking
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Andrew Dooley
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Andrew Dooley from Comfort Zone Camp. Join us in learning his advice on how to navigate grief during the holiday season, by first acknowledging and validating our feelings.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Make the Holidays Bright
Whether the holidays are a cheerful or challenging time, they are almost always full of big emotions! This is especially true for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Join us for a replay of last year's holiday episode where we answer the questions:
- Why are the holidays difficult for vulnerable youth?
- How can we best support them through the holidays? *****
In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Autumn Zaborowski
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Autumn Zaborowski, adoptive parent and community volunteer, who was recently recognized asan Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. Hear her story of seeing the need, taking action, and encouraging others to wait in the wings for a “yes” moment!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’velearned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Amplify Voices
Children do not get traumatized because they are hurt. They get traumatized because they are ALONE with the hurt.* At CASA, we ensure children are not alone with their hurt. And while showing up for children, we have the opportunity to amplify their voices so that the court decisions made on their behalf are the best ones possible.
Help us raise the volume on children's needs in our community! Give a gift on Giving Tuesday!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Use Manners
There is a relationship between civility and resilience! So, when we model respectful, polite behaviors, children not only learn to have good citizenship, but also build resilience!
Today's episode references this article by Dr. Robert Brooks.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Lily Miller
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we welcome Lily Miller, Case Manager at Safe Harbor. She is living out Safe Harbor's mission to save, transform, and rebuild lives. We hope guest episodes like this one help you feel connected to a community of people who, like you, have a heart for supporting children.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Stop the Stigma
We can better support children and families impacted by substance use when we address the stigma associated with substance use disorder! As CASA Advocates, or as caring family and friends, we need to offer consistent support and accountability.
Learn more in today's episode and be sure to check out these examples of person-first language that help stop the stigma. (Nation Center on Substance Use and Child Welfare.)
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Model Healthy Relationships
Witnessing domestic violence is traumatic for children, even if they are not physically harmed. The short-term and long-term negative impacts of witnessing abuse can be mitigated if a child has someone in their life modeling healthy relationships! Learn more in today's episode, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Learn how you can identify abuse, plan for safety, and support others at the National Domestic Violence Hotline website: https://www.thehotline.org/
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Rachel Mayes Strawn
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Rachel Mayes Strawn to tell us about Virginia Community Colleges' Great Expectations program. After listening, you will definitely want to check out their website: Great Expectations | Promising futures for Virginia foster youths (vccs.edu) We hope guest episodes like this one help you feel connected to a community of people who, like you, have a heart for supporting children.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Know the Symptoms: ADHD & Trauma
There are many shared symptoms between ADHD and Complex Trauma. Knowing this can help us support children in the most effective way possible... because if their symptoms are a sign of trauma, we should be responding in a trauma-informed way!
Take a look at the visual below as you follow along with today's discussion.
Venn Diagram: ADHD and Complex Trauma
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Amber Vandermeer (ACAC's 30 for 30)
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Amber Van Der Meer to talk about the benefits for fitness for children and physical literacy.
Listen all the way through to hear about ACAC's special 30 for 30 promotion that benefits Henrico CASA! Learn more at https://acac.com/30days/ We hope guest episodes like this one help you feel connected to a community of people who, like you, have a heart for supporting children.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Set-Up for School Success
We can do things at home to set children up for success at school. The key is consistency! Learn more in today's back-to-school themed episode.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Mark Smith
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Mark Smith, Owner of Midas of Richmond, who is known for generously responding to needs in our community, especially the needs of vulnerable children and families. At Midas, Mark says, “Cars don’t work without proper care. Neither do communities. We do both.”
We hope guest episodes like this one help you feel connected to a community of people who, like you, have a heart for supporting children.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Speak Up for Children (Pt. 2)
Children who have experienced trauma need to feel valued and have a sense of hope. Court Appointed Special Advocates provide BOTH by walking with children in the present and setting them up to thrive in the future.
In today's episode, we answer frequently asked questions about the role of a CASA advocate. After listening, if you'd like more information, email Kristin (kristin@henricocasa.org) for a recording of our recent information session.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Speak Up for Children (Pt.1)
Children who have experienced trauma need to feel valued and have a sense of hope. Court Appointed Special Advocates provide BOTH by walking with children in the present and setting them up to thrive in the future.
Register for one of our upcoming virtual information sessions to learn more about volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate:
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Angela Rosas
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Angela Rosas, creator of A Calm Kid podcast. Angela knows the value of emotional regulation and inner awareness for children, but also the adults in their lives! Her podcast is intended to be a safe space to connect, breathe, and be present with one another... and we love how she has taken it a step further to incorporate movement into these interactions. Listen to A Calm Kid here. We hope guest episodes like this one help you feel connected to a community of people who, like you, have a heart for supporting children. *****
In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Play Together
PLAY is an excellent way to build trust and resilience in relationships. Make it intentional, and you will always have enough time to incorporate play into your day.
Learn more about the 'repetitive, relational rhythms' of play in this brief article.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Map Ages and Stages
A child's developmental age reflects their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive stage. Children are more at risk for abuse and neglect when their chronological age doesn't match their developmental age... so adults need to set their expectations accordingly!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Sophia Booker
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Sophia Booker, contributor for Reshuffled: Stories of Hope and Resilience from Foster Care. Sophia is empowering the next generation to be effective advocates for change. Her key? Give them information, context, and space to think critically! We hope our guest episodes help you feel connected to a community of people who, like you, have a heart for supporting children. *****
In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media:
Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Build Trust
Building trust-based relationships is essential when serving children who have experienced trauma. These types of relationships prioritize connection over anything else... and connection begins when you show up again and again!
Read Dr. Purvis' The Connected Child to learn more about trust-based relationship intervention.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Support with Story Telling
There is great potential in using stories to support healing and build resilience. Find a book that has parallels to a child's personal story and use that book as a tool to connect, process, and respond to trauma.
This conversation was inspired by the Practitioner and Parent/Caregiver Guides published by the Office for Victim's of Crimes. Check out the materials here.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Jason Brown
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Jason Brown, Founder and CEO of Fostering Acadia. Fostering Acadia provides older youth in foster care a supportive space where they are encouraged to dream big, set goals and take action. We hope our guest episodes help you feel connected to a community of people who, like you, have a heart for supporting children.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media:
Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Convey Value with Words
One of our goals, at CASA and in life, is to communicate in a way that makes people feel safe and supported. Because we never want to cause further harm with our words… and that’s our words in speaking directly with someone and our words in talking generally to others.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Overcome Barriers
May is National Foster Care Month.... and while becoming a foster parent may not be right for all of us, it could be right for some of us. So today we are talking through the perceived barriers to becoming a foster parent.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Elizabeth Scholla
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Elizabeth Scholla, the Division Manager for Prevention and Protection at Henrico’s Child Protective Services.
We hope our guest episodes help you feel connected to a community of people who, like you, have a heart for supporting children.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Prevent Neglect
Neglect, in it's simplest definition, is a failure to provide for a child's basic needs... and the majority of the cases that Henrico CASA is appointed to involve child neglect.
Join us to learn more about the signs of neglect and strategies for prevention. Click to access the prevention strategies that we reference, as published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Have the Full Picture
In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, we are walking through history to better understand how we got to where we are today in terms of child welfare policies and practices. Learn more in our April blog posts at www.HenricoCASA.org/blog/.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Anna Shenk
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Anna Shenk, Co-Director of For Richmond. For Richmond helps unite churches and communities behind issues that are larger than any one organization can tackle…. They cultivate the space and focus for individuals to have greater impact through unity of vision and resources. Learn how you can get involved at https://www.forrichmond.org/getting-started.
We hope our guest episodes help you feel connected to a community of people who, like you, have a heart for supporting children.
*****
In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media:
YOU Can Protect a Child
There is a long list of risk factors that can increase the likelihood of abuse and neglect... but there are also protective factors that decrease the probability of abuse or neglect.
Learn the FIVE protective factors that you can help incorporate into families' lives.
For reference,
- Visual aid for today's episode
- CDC's Prevention Strategies
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can be a Fairy Godmother
Cinderella was the lone recipient of her stepmother's abuse... as are "target children" in real life stories. If you see signs of abuse, neglect, or trauma in one child, but not their siblings, don't talk yourself out of reporting the abuse. There most definitely could be something going on in that home.
In today's episode we reference this Psychology Today article about scapegoating.
You will also need this link to check out Dave Pelzer's "A Child Called "It", the book we ask you to read for today's call to action.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Valerie L'Herrou
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Valerie L'Herrou, Deputy Director of the Center for Family Advocacy at the Virginia Poverty Law Center. Valerie is passionate about resourcing families so that they can stay together, with their children, when it is safe to do so. She joins us to talk about her work with the Virginia Family Preservation Project.
We hope our guest episodes help you feel connected to a community of people who, like you, have a heart for supporting children.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media:
Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Combat Racism
Prolonged stress with no release impacts a child’s developing body and mind... so much so that it hinders important neurological connections from forming. And living with racism or facing injustice is a significant stressor. So connecting the dots, racism is a form of trauma that negatively impacts child development.
See the science behind this connection at Harvard University's Center for the Developing Child: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/racism-and-ecd/ *****
In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
YOU Can Build a Better Brain
Children are equipped to handle healthy doses of stress, but chronic, ongoing stress has a wear and tear effect on their developing bodies and brains. For children dealing with toxic stress, the one true stress buster is the presence of a stable adult in their life.
Explore this topic more with these resources:
You could be the one – the caring, consistent adult – by volunteering your time with Henrico CASA as a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Learn more at HenricoCASA.org/advocate/
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Voices: Allison Gilbreath
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Allison Gilbreath, Sr. Director of Policy and Programs at Voices for Virginia's Children. Allison leads the organization’s child welfare policy work as well as the implementation of advocacy programs, elevating policy conversations across all policy areas. We specifically applaud her for creating the Foster Care Policy Network and Youth in Action programs.
Use the links below to follow-up on Allison's call to action!
We hope our guest episodes help you feel connected to a community of people who, like you, have a heart for supporting children.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follow Henrico CASA's mission, work, and impact at www.HenricoCASA.org and on social media:
Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.