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By admin | June 21, 2010 National CASA Podcast: Communicating With Children Using Drawings Lisa Barsky Firsker, PhD explains how the use of simple materials such as crayons, paper, colored pencils and markers can be a powerful way to communicate with a child. As she says: “Inside every quiet child there is a loud voice trying to get out.” To access the podcast go here. Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments » |
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By admin | June 16, 2010 Do you want to have some fun this summer with other 6th grade girls? Then why not come to “It’s A Girl Thing” Day Camp for girls entering middle school?! When? June 28 – July 1 What Time? 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Where? CASA office & fun places in the community The CASA Program is offering a FREE day camp for girls entering middle school. We will go swimming, play games, watch movies and even take a day trip to the lake. Plan on having tons of fun while meeting new friends and learning some cool stuff too! “It’s A Girl Thing” will cover topics such as empowerment, self image, making friends and peer pressure. To learn more about how this program will prepare your daughter for middle school, please call Amber or Mary at 625-0112. To register your daughter, go here. Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments » |
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By admin | May 12, 2010 Altons Power Block Gym is a Terrific Supporter of CASA Kids Students from CASA’s Alternative Education Program regularly learn fitness, take yoga, and even receive personal training advice from Alton’s terrific staff. Thanks to Lucas, Alton, and Betsy for making it possible! Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments » |
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By admin | May 10, 2010 Child abuse cases rise during economic difficulties. A new study demonstrates the increase in Shaken Baby cases during the recession. Shaken baby cases are among the worst kinds of abuse we deal with, says Carrie-Leigh Cloutier, executive director. We have seen babies die, or worse be left in a vegetative state as the result of being shaken. Retinal damage is common, as is brain hemmorhage. Often the parents or caretakers who inflict this damage are drug addicted or have alcohol problems. When addictive behaviors are piled on top of financial stress a parent’s patience can run so thin that a colicky baby will be shaken out of frustration. We counsel parents who are at the end of their ropes to put the baby down safely in their crib, then just go outside for a minute and breath deeply. Letting the baby cry for a few minutes is okay if it means that a parent regains control of their temper. For more information go here. Resources can be found at the National Center on Shaken Babies at http://www.dontshake.org/ Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments » |
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By admin | May 7, 2010 May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month Mothers Day Blessings to our Foster Mothers! Can you imagine being up all night, every night, for two weeks rocking a drug addicted baby who can’t stop crying? Or helping to teach a three year old to walk again after he has his body cast removed? Or washing the sheets every day because the eleven year old girl who has been so sexually abused keeps wetting the bed? May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month. Words cannot truly express the admiration that CASA holds for the foster parent heroes who give so much of their hearts and lives to give abused children safe homes. The time, the energy, and the spirit it takes are an inspiration. CASA and its volunteers salute the foster parents of Chaves County. Thank you for making happy homes possible for so many needy children.
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By admin | May 6, 2010 INFANT MENTAL HEALTH: THE FIRST YEARS LAST FOREVER
Babies can show signs of depression (inconsolable crying, slow growth, sleep problems, etc.).
1 in 5 children has a diagnosable mental disorder but factors that predict mental health problems can be identified in the early years. 75% to 80% of children and youth in need of mental health services do not receive them. Maternal depression, anxiety disorders, and other forms of chronic depression affect approximately 10% of mothers with young children. Maternal depression threatens two core parental functions: fostering healthy relationships and carrying out the management functions of parenting. The result, long tracked in child development research, has been linked to demonstrable reductions in young children’s behavioral, cognitive, and social and emotional functioning (Knitzer et al., 2008, NCCP). When an infant or toddler’s social and emotional development suffers significantly, they can, and do, experience mental health problems as well. Supporting Healthy Development Healthy social and emotional development refers to a child’s capacity to experience, manage, and express a full range of positive and negative emotions; develop close, satisfying relationships with others; and actively explore environments and learn. Get Involved! Opportunities to promote resiliency among infants: Skilled providers can accurately • screen, diagnose and treat mental health disorders in infancy and early childhood before they impact other areas of development. Policymakers can strengthen the • foundation being built for infants and toddlers by improving the continuum of services for the promotion and prevention of infant and early childhood mental health problems, as well as the provision of early intervention services for at-risk infants and toddlers. www.cyfd.org For more information … http://www.nmaimh.org http://www.zerotothree.org http://developingchild.harvard.edu http://www.infant-parent.com http://gucchd.georgetown.edu http://aia.berkeley.edu
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By admin | April 27, 2010 Please join us for Brown Bag CASA Volunteer In-Service Training: How To Deal With Client Parents Who Have Mental Illness by therapist Merikan Bryant on Wednesday, April 28th, noon to one in the CASA office. Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments » |
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By admin | April 20, 2010
Get Treated Like a Rock Star! Pampering our CASA Volunteers was the theme of a very popular Volunteer Appreciation event last Friday. Massages, manicures, great food, paparazzi and kudos were enjoyed by an enthusiastic crowd. Julie Deaton was named Volunteer of the Year. Jim Goss was honored for 20 years of volunteer service. CASA congratulates all of our award winners for 2010: Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments » |
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By admin | April 15, 2010 On Tuesday CASA’s Alternative Education Students took on the challenge of Assurance Home’s Ropes Course. Check out this slideshow to see what a terrific job they did: Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.For more information about Intensive Youth Advocacy’s Alternative Education Program go here. Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments » |
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By admin | April 13, 2010 CASA Volunteers Rock! Join us Friday from 11:00 to 2:00 in the CASA Office for our annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and be treated like a rock star! CASA Volunteers, Board Members, Donors, and supporters are invited to join us for a celebration that will treat you well. Great food, drink, massage, manicures, and more will make you feel like the paparazzi should be right behind you. Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments » |
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