Children who have experienced abuse and neglect have unique needs and challenges, as do their family, friends, and caregivers.
Learn with us as we explore topics related to the well-being of these children.
Together, we can create a community that is supportive and responsive to those needs.
Foster Care: Tools for Children
The purpose of foster care is to give children a reprieve from what was an unsafe living condition, moving them into what the Department of Social Services has deemed to be a safe environment. The word ‘foster’ is synonymous with ‘stand-in’ or ‘substitute.’ So...
Stress Can Cause Adverse Childhood Experiences
Stress on a family can come from different sources and take many forms. Some stress is internal to the family, such as domestic violence. Other stressors are external. Sources outside of the home could be situations like unemployment or poverty. Regardless of the...
Adults with Adverse Childhood Experiences
In order to help prevent adverse experiences for the children in our lives, it’s important that we address and heal from any trauma we, ourselves, may have experienced. This is true for all adults caring for children - parents, mentors, CASA volunteers, etc. After...
Prevent & Heal: Adverse Childhood Experiences
Our brains are absolutely amazing organs. They begin developing in utero and by the time a child is born, their brain is already a quarter of the size of an adult brain. The brain then doubles in size before a child’s first birthday and continues to develop at a rapid...
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Resilience
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can take place within three realms: Households (including abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and parental mental illness) Community (such as poverty, poor housing quality, lack of social capital) Environment (pandemics or natural...
Courtroom Perspectives: Judge Soukup
As COURT Appointed Special Advocates, the courtroom is essential to our work. This is where a Judge initially appoints us to serve a child. It is also where we then bring forth information and observations that assist the Judge in making weighty decisions on behalf of...
Courtroom Perspectives: Clerk of Court
As COURT Appointed Special Advocates, the courtroom is essential to our work. This is where a Judge initially appoints us to serve a child. It is also where we then bring forth information and observations that assist the Judge in making weighty decisions on behalf of...
Courtroom Perspectives: CASA
As COURT Appointed Special Advocates, the courtroom is essential to our work. This is where a Judge initially appoints us to serve a child. It is also where we then bring forth information and observations that assist the Judge in making weighty decisions on behalf of...
Anatomy of a CASA: MIND
We consulted with CASA children to find out what makes a great advocate. It turns out there are four key components of a Court Appointed Special Advocate… and they happen to be things we all have: eyes, ears, hearts, and minds! MIND Our CASA volunteers have hearts of...