CASA of Central Oregon

Meet the Advocate: Daryl Loveland

noreply@blogger.com (CASA of Central Oregon) — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 18:51:00 +0000

The Great Fish Race 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 20:01:00 +0000

Gathering 'em up...

And more gathering

Thanks to everyone who helped make this year's 4th of July Fish Race in Prineville a great Success!

Fish Race Headquarters

And they're off!

Anticipation

Is there a winner?

Finish line

Ever raced a fish...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 17:52:00 +0000

Only 2 days left to get your fish tickets to The Great Fish Race in Prineville on the 4th!

Contact the CASA office for details and locations

(541) 447-7220

This is Going to be a BLAST!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 21:40:00 +0000

"Chip In For Children" Golf Tournament

June 20th at Tetherow Golf Club.

Come join us for a memorable day of golf and help us raise money for three worthy Central Oregon charities dedicated to improving the lives of children in our community.

Put together a team of up to four players or, for the more adventurous sort, participate as an individual in playing 100 holes in a fun, fresh format. As a part of the program you will also have the opportunity to raise the funds to sponsor your participation and to win sensational individual and team prizes like custom clubs fitted by our resident TaylorMade expert and golf packages to both Bandon Dunes and top local courses.

Not a golfer? No problem! This year’s event features numerous new activities, including many for non-golfers! During the event, various fun challenge courses and contests will take place for both children and adults, along with a silent auction and raffle. Prizes in the silent auction and raffle include a one year Tetherow membership, a one year Athletic Club of Bend membership, an Oregon Coast weekend complete with a Porsche rental and more.

The benefiting children's organizations for this years event are:

Find out more about this special event: http://jgpa.org/golf-marathon/

Register your team for this years event: http://jgpa.org/register

Get Involved During Child Abuse Prevention Month

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 23:16:00 +0000

In our society the basic needs and rights of children are entrusted to their families, but when the family – for whatever reason – is unable to meet those obligations, our most vulnerable children are placed in the foster care and child welfare system.

Each April, Child Abuse Prevention Month activities raise awareness about the problem of child abuse – and most importantly, about what each of us can do to help prevent the abuse and neglect. As a community it is our fundamental obligation to help children in foster care through no fault of their own.

Court Appointed Special Advocates ensure that every child has the right to learn and grow and be treated with dignity and respect in the safe embrace of a loving family.

You can help fight child abuse by getting involved today! Your participation in one or all of the following activities will help us reach our goal of providing a highly trained advocate for 100% of children in need:

April 5 - Art Walk - Get a chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate fromPatagonia@Bend when you register for the Light of Hope 5K, 10K, 1K run/walk at the Patagonia store between 5:30-7:30.

April 6 - Save $5 on the Light of Hope 5K or 10K and receive a free Flashing Light when you register at Fleet Feet from 11-1.

April 9 - Receive a free gift from Deschutes Brewery when you register for the Light of Hope 5K, 10K, 1K run/walk at the Deschutes Brewery pub between 5:30-7:30.

April 8 & 9 - The Pastini Pasta-Thon is on! Lower Your Hunger While You Eat for a Good Cause – Mention CASA when you order lunch or dinner and 50% of net proceeds go to CASA. The offer is also good for take-out! Tell all your friends to eat at Pastini in the Old Mill.

April 21 - Light of Hope 5K, 10K, 1K run/walk at Riverbend Park 9:00.

Create a personal fundraising page and help us raise $11,000for recruitment and training of advocates. We need 40 more volunteers to advocate for the children on our waiting list. Last year 126 advocates served 355 children. Unfortunately, 84 children did not have an advocate to call their own.

Become an advocate – call 541.389.1618

Sabrina Sloan of Clear 101.7 & 99.7 The Mountain wants you to get Fit for CASA

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 22:41:00 +0000

Right here in our community, there are abused and neglected children who live in the shadows of our lives. Last year in Central Oregon there were over 400 children that were placed in foster care. What is most surprising – and disheartening – is that during this incredibly vulnerable time in a young life, the foster care and court system is too overworked to deal with the unique needs and rights of each child. As a result, too many children in the system get bounced from house to house, having to change schools five or six times in a couple of years. These children deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. They deserve the chance to live in a safe, loving and permanent home. That is why the CASA program exists and that’s why I am getting Fit for CASA.

As part of my registration for the 6^th annual Light of Hope run on April 21, I also get free online coaching, a weekly running schedule, and 3 organized group workouts-meetings. I started my training last week. Day one of training went well, I ran 1.25 miles and felt pretty good. I feel that my last year of power vinyasa flow may have prepared me for the effort and I'm considering the 10K instead of the 5K. Day two my cross train was in the form of more power vinyasa flow and now I'm wiped out and ready for my rest day! I think I need to eat more too. I'm so excited to become a runner now. I've daydreamed on how I can take this form of fitness with me, anywhere I go; no need for special tools or a gym! Besides having more cardiovascular health I'm looking forward to finally dropping those last few pounds around my belly that seem to love hanging on so much. Please join me in my efforts and get Fit for CASA!

Commissioner Alan Unger Invites You To Get Fit For CASA

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:53:00 +0000

I think as one gets older you start to recognize your health has to be a top priority. I used to work outside and considered myself to be a pretty healthy individual. Now that I sit at a desk most of the time my fitness level is at an all-time low. I thought if I joined a gym I would be magically back in shape – instead I found I am just not a gym person. I need a workout plan that fits my schedule. That’s why I decided to get Fit for CASA.

Click here to register for th 6th Annual Light of Hope

As part of my registration for their 6th annual Light of Hope run on April 21, I also get FREE online coaching, a weekly running schedule, and 3 organized group workouts/meetings. I am really looking forward to getting in better shape AND helping raise funds for CASA, an organization close to my heart. Please join me in my efforts and get Fit for CASA!

CASA at Bee Crafty Bazaar

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:24:00 +0000

Come to the Bee Crafty fair at Redmond Fairgrounds this Friday (Nov. 9th) and Saturday (Nov. 10th).

Doors open 10 am to 5 pm. Admission price is $1.00 for adults and seniors. Kids FREE. Half of door proceeds go to support CASA.

Don't forget to stop by our table for your flask, mug, towel or all 3.

Check Out Our Voices of Hope Event Commercial

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 22:29:00 +0000

Tickets are Going Fast...

Purchase Today

Saturday Premier ticket holders ($75) will enjoy a private, hosted cocktail party from 6-7 pm at Mockingbird Gallery. Bleu Bite Catering will treat you to assorted appetizers and desserts. Of course, favorite beverages will also be included. Premier tickets also include front-rows seats.

Sunday Premier ticket holders ($75) will enjoy a private, hosted champagne brunch from 12:30-1:30 pm at The Tower Theatre. Bleu Bite Catering will treat you to assorted appetizers and desserts. Of course, favorite beverages will also be included. Premier tickets also include front-rows seats.

All proceeds benefit CASA of Central Oregon.

Purchase Tickets for the November 3rd Show

Purchase Tickets for the November 4th Show

2012 Voices of Hope: "A Tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber"

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:06:00 +0000

Kristi Miller of “Good Morning Central Oregon” will host a spectacular show starring select performers from last season’s hit “Chicago”. The performers will take you on a musical tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber melodies, and the show will culminate in a second half dedicated to “The Phantom of the Opera.”

The Youth Choir of Central Oregon, Bend High School and Sisters High School choral groups will also accompany our stars in what will soon be talked about as the event of the season.

Purchase Tickets for the November 3rd Show

Purchase Tickets for the November 4th Show

CASA Program Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 22:18:00 +0000

Exciting Happenings

July 1, 2012 marked a tremendous milestone for the CASA Community Hope Chest. OVER 305 needy families in our community have been served... this number includes 420 contributions of clothing, books, toys and other needed items throughout our tri-counties. This is all possible because of the support of CASA through our community donors. We are the recipient of Sleep Country's year-round collection of coats, shoes, clothing, toys, and school supplies. Special thanks to Patricia Stoneroad who spearheads the Hope Chest and to Patty Pachtman and Tony Oliver (Advocates) for their behind-the-scenes support as well. For any donations you wish to provide please contact Patricia Stoneroad.

The Second Annual 4th of July "Cast a Line for Youth" fish race, in Prineville, was an amazing success. Over 900 plastic fish floated down the river with Barbara Beatty's fish taking 1st place. This was a collabarative event that benefitted our CASA Prineville office, Crook County Kids Club and Lutheran Community Services.

A HUGE thank you to the following sponsors: John and Linda Shelk Foundation, Deschutes Brewery, Contact Industries, Michael & Teresa Ervin, BendBroadBand, Prineville Kiwanis, PacificSource, SMAF Environmental, US Bank/Prineville, Brooks Resources, Wells Fargo/Prineville, and Bi-Mart/Prineville. Hope to see you all again next year!

Future Fun

"Balloon's Over Bend Children's Festival", benefitting Saving Grace, will be held July 21 and 22 at BendRiver Park. Seek out our CASA booth...

We have plans for a children's potting garden. The children loved it last year and this year promises to be even better.

COMING IN SEPTEMBER

A new CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) training class begins in September, 2012. Are you or someone you know interested in becoming an Advocate and standing up for the rights of abused and neglected children in our community? Watch for more inforamtion regarding our September start date.

Help Lift Up The Voice of an Abused or Neglected Child

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 18:21:00 +0000

by Pam Fortier,
Executive Director

Right here in our community, there are abused and neglected children who live in the shadows of our lives. She may be the little girl in your son's kindergarten class who had to move homes and change schools three or four times in the last year. He may be the lonely child at the park who doesn't join the game.

The foster care and child welfare system is full of compassionate lawyers, judges, social workers and foster families, but according to recent statistics each year there are more than 2,200 reports of child abuse or neglect in Central Oregon. This intense need can strain the system to the point where they are simply unable to protect the rights of each child.

So the little girl who has already suffered in an abusive home enters the foster care system, which places her in three or four different homes in just a few months. Or the two siblings who lost their mother to incarceration are split up and live on different sides of the same county.

This isn't just a problem; it is nothing short of a violation of their human rights. A child cannot defend his or her own rights, but a CASA volunteer can!

CASA of Central Oregon is a nonprofit organization which trains and supports volunteers-people like you and me to speak and act as advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children. They are trained to work within the child welfare and family court systems and are appointed by judges to individual cases. With the help of a CASA volunteer, a child is half as likely to languish in the foster care system, and that much more likely to find a safe and permanent home.

I have seen firsthand the transformative impact a CASA volunteer can have on a child. Sally (not her real name) and her two siblings were placed in foster care over twelve years ago. Her two siblings were adopted shortly after they came into care, but for Sally she moved back-and-forth from residential treatment facilities and therapeutic foster homes. Over the years Sally "lived" in 22 different homes. The CASA volunteer has been the only consistent person in Sally's life. The caseworkers, attorneys, therapists, foster parents, and even the judge changed over the course of years. The only family contact Sally had was with four family members and the contact was inconsistent. The CASA volunteer understood the need for family connections and the importance of relationships with one or more reliable adults. The CASA volunteer and Sally's DHS caseworker recently found 96 family members! Sally is now living with her aunt and uncle and has been in this home the longest she has ever been over the last twelve years. Because of Sally's CASA volunteer, she is now connected to family and has at least one stable, life-long permanent connection to a caring adult.

But today there are over 100 kids waiting for a CASA advocate. We are dedicated to ensuring that every child in the foster care and child welfare system has a qualified CASA volunteer looking out for their best interests. To do this, we need to recruit more CASA volunteers and build the infrastructure so that we can best support their efforts.

Every child has a right to thrive, to be treated with dignity, and to live in a safe, loving home. Every child deserves a fighting chance.

Once grown, these former foster kids could be our future doctors, teachers and leaders. Coming through a period of vulnerability and fear, the child can then understand his potential and his rights. She will believe in herself. That is our opportunity and our challenge.

I invite the people of Central Oregon to stand up with me and support these children. Go to casaofcentraloregon.org and see how you can help.

Read this article about one's woman's journey to overcome abuse

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:46:00 +0000

Why I Talk About My Childhood Abuse Over and Over

by Christina Enevoldsen

When I used to talk about my childhood sexual abuse, I heard familiar accusations: “You just want attention” or “Nobody likes a crybaby.” As I poured out the same story again and again to my friends, I felt guilty for wasting their time.

I believed that there was a rule that I was allowed to share a bad experience with one or two people at the most and then I had to stop talking about it or I was “just being a victim”. Yet I was compelled to keep talking about it even with the internal accusations and the guilt that it caused.

I was warned that “dwelling” on things doesn’t serve any purpose—that it would just make me feel worse. But I was already depressed and it wasn’t from talking about my abuse. I was depressed because my trauma and the feelings that went with it were locked up inside of me. As I started to see some benefit from talking about my abuse, I started to question the limited talking “rule”.

Where did I get the idea that attention is bad or selfish? When I wanted someone to hear me, why did the voice in my head say, “You think you’re so important, but you’re not”.

One of my earliest memories is of myself as a two year old. I don’t remember what I needed or if it was a physical or emotional need, but when I found my parents, they were with my baby brother. They acted annoyed that I had needs too. Their reaction communicated that I was expecting too much, that I was selfish, that having needs was something to be ashamed of.

Throughout my childhood, that message was reinforced in so many ways. I was emotionally abandoned if I cried or expressed “negative” feelings. My parents ignored my crying, so I coughed instead. My dad would come to my crib and mock my fake cough, but he wouldn’t acknowledge my needs or tend to them. His mocking told me that my needs weren’t important and added the additional message that I was a liar who exaggerated my needs.

I learned that I wasn’t tolerable unless I was happy so I learned to shut up about my needs and my pain. Acting like everything was okay was the only way to avoid more pain from rejection.

As an adult, whenever I talked about the past, I hated myself for exposing my “badness” and “making” people walk away from me. I expected to be abandoned the same way my parents had abandoned me and I abandoned myself during the times that I needed the most comfort.

Seeing where those beliefs and behaviors came from allowed me to see that I’m a worthy of love even when I express my pain or talk about the awful things that happened to me.

In my healing from abuse, I’ve found that there are two parts to recovery: Dealing with the damage and providing the things for myself that are lacking. Talking about my abuse is the means to both of those things.

1. As I’ve talked about my past, I’ve come to accept that it really happened. After repressing the memories of my traumatic childhood, it was unbelievable that the images in my head really happened—and they didn’t just happen to someone, they happened to ME. I went over it again and again—in my mind and with others. Sometimes, when I shared my story, I felt like a liar even though I knew I wasn’t making it up. I’d go in and out of denial and then at some point, I really got it. Talking about my abuse helped me accept the truth. This wasn’t a TV show or news story—this was my story.

Talking to understanding and compassionate people was the gateway to feeling compassion and pain for myself and acknowledging the depth of my loss. When I finally sat still with my experience and listened to my heart, I finally FELT heard.

2. I talked about my abuse because I needed to know what happened to me really mattered. The way I was treated as a child told me that my feelings didn’t matter—that I didn’t matter. I was wasting someone’s time since I was a waste of time. The horror and tears on a friend’s face told me that what happened to me really was bad and that I wasn’t making a big deal out of nothing. What happened to me was wrong. I deserved to be treated better.

3. Telling my story has been a way to reach out for the validation I never got. Since I dissociated during my abuse and for so much of my life, I wasn’t connected to myself, especially to my emotional self. Talking to understanding and compassionate people was the gateway to feeling compassion and pain for myself and to acknowledging the depth of my loss. When I finally sat still with my experience and listened to my heart, I finally felt heard.

4. Talking about my abuse allows me to hear myself. As I listen, I hear myself emphasize details that I’d thought were insignificant. It’s given me greater understanding of my feelings and behaviors today. I’ve make connections between past events and current feelings and behaviors. I’ve solved today’s problems by looking back at how I got here.

For the most part, when I talk about my abuse now, it’s for someone elses benefit. However, when a new memory surfaces or I delve into a deeper layer, I share it with my friends and I give myself all the time I need to process it.

I used to feel the pressure to get it all out quickly since I wanted to stop before I was abandoned, but now I’m patient with myself and no matter how long I talk or grieve, I don’t abandon myself in the process. I know I’m worth all the time it takes to heal.

Christina Enevoldsen is cofounder of Overcoming Sexual Abuse, an online resource for male and female abuse survivors looking for practical answers and tools for healing. Christina’s passions are writing and speaking about her own journey of healing from abuse and inspiring people toward wholeness. She and her husband live in Los Angeles and share three children and four grandchildren.

[read Christina's story here]

Happy Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 09 May 2012 01:31:00 +0000

Happy Mother's Day

from

CASA of Central Oregon

We want to help you celebrate in style!

What a great way to say Happy Mother's Day with a gift that helps "Wipe Out" child abuse and neglect. CASA's Celebration of Hope kitchen towels not only say, "I Love You", but 100% of the proceeds will benefit CASA of Central Oregon and help children who are in foster care through no fault of their own. The unique flower-sack towel art was created by a child's vision and interpretation of "Hope".

Purchase 1/$14.95 or for best value a bundle of 3/$39.95.

Contact our office @ 541.389.1618 to place your order today.

Local organizations working to improve lives of foster kids

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly Tracy-Holly) — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:45:00 +0000

Great article published in the Bend Bulletin

Many years ago when I was in law school, I worked at the Juvenile Law Center in Portland as a student intern. It was there that I was first exposed to children and youth in the court system — not just those who had committed a criminal act, but also those who were dependents of the court and involved in the child welfare system through no fault or act of their own. From that point forward, much of my professional life was devoted to making life better for these children and youth.
The one thing I came to know and appreciate about this group, known as dependents, was that many ended up in foster care facing additional challenges. They were often disconnected from family, spending months and years in “out of home” placements. Though safety and permanency are the primary goals of our child welfare system, permanency is often elusive to this particular group. My work led me to understand that it is not only our job as a community to protect our children, but also to help provide a safe and nurturing environment for them. Without a real place to call home, many of these children end up homeless, in prison, or suffering mental and emotional problems in disproportionate numbers once they exit the system.
About a year ago, I became involved in an effort here in Deschutes County known as the Family Preservation and Support Initiative. This initiative includes the Deschutes County Commission on Children and Families, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Department of Human Services Child Welfare and Mountain Star Relief Nursery. These organizations, with the support of the Casey Family Programs, are part of the local Raise Me Up campaign.
To date, these efforts have included establishing a “family finding” process aimed at identifying and locating family connections for children and youth placed in foster care. The hope is to find family to ultimately serve as the alternate placement for these children rather than regular foster care, or at least provide the connection to family that is vital to them.
CASA and DHS have committed resources to developing and implementing this effort to tremendous success thus far. Over the past two years, 729 family members have been identified for children in this program. It has been shown that placing a child with family members when possible, known as “relative care,” is generally more cost effective and better for a child's emotional health and stability.
Another effort currently in process is development of a pilot Foster Parent Mentor Program. This program will provide support for biological parents with the goal of safely reducing the number of children entering care and increasing the number leaving care.
We have many exceptional foster parents wanting to do more than just warehouse the children and youth coming into their care. The trusted logic has been that to protect children from abusive and neglectful parents, it was necessary to literally disconnect them from their families. This included discouraging contact between biological parents and foster parents. This view has changed, and this program, when implemented, will be a giant leap forward in changing the dynamics of foster care. In fact, DHS is currently recruiting for foster families for this program.
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month. The Raise Me Up campaign is designed to bring attention to those abused and neglected children who find themselves in foster care who can only dream of a safe and permanent home, and to remind us of our responsibility as a community to help raise all of our children.
Please remember to wear a blue ribbon in recognition of abused and neglected children and the need to fight that epidemic. Then go to www .raisemeup.oregon.gov to see how you can help. Go to “Volunteering” on the Home page, click on “Learn More,” then “County Opportunities” and finally “Deschutes County.”
by Judy Stiegler
-Judy lives in Bend.

http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120424/NEWS01/204240392/1041/SEARCH

ACT NOW for EXTREMELY DISCOUNTED Harlem Globetrotter Tickets...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:24:00 +0000

The Harlem Globetrotters have always been known as the “Ambassadors of Goodwill”, promoting the importance of fair play, honesty and serving as great role models for our youth. They have been inspiring both the young and young at heart for 86 years through their unique brand of on-court skills and entertainment.

The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Redmond, OR on Friday, April 27^th, 2012. The show will be at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center. I wanted to extend out a special discounted ticket offer for CASA and the families associated with the organization. Tickets start at just $3.00 per ticket. Feel free to share this discount with your family and friends. This discount will be available until Wednesday, April 25^th, 2012 at noon Arizona Mountain Time, so get your tickets now!

If anyone would like to purchase tickets, they can fill out the flyer and scan/e-mail, fax, or simply call the number on the form and order tickets over the phone. If anyone has questions, they may contact me by phone, Steven Kargol | Group Ticket Sales Specialist, Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc., (800)-641-4667 x 148 or by e-mail Kargol@harlemglobetrotters.com. I may also be reached directly at 602-707-7031

UPDATE - Light of Hope Run/Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly Tracy-Holly) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:11:00 +0000

April 22nd Weather Forecast - Warm and Sunny!

Perfect for CASA's Light of Hope 1K, 5K, 10K run/walk.

Race starts at 9:00 a.m. at Riverbend Park

April 21st packet pick-up at Fleet Feet (1320 Galveston Ave.) 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

For the one-stop folks

Day-of-race registration and packet pick-up starts at 7:30 a.m.

See you at the finish line!

Oregon to Focus on Drugs Used to Aid Foster Kids - News Story - KTVZ Bend

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:58:00 +0000

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon continues efforts to ensure the most appropriate use of psychotropic medications in the child welfare system. Based on this progress, the Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority announced Friday that Oregon has been chosen as one of five states that will be part of a national pilot project focused on improving use of medication among children and adolescents in foster care with mental and behavioral health needs.

This three-year initiative, developed by the Center for Health Care Strategies and made possible through the Annie E. Casey Foundation, will identify new strategies focused on quality improvement related to prescribing, monitoring, and oversight of psychotropic medication use. Oregon will join Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Vermont in creating a cross-agency team --- including state Medicaid, child welfare, and behavioral health agencies as well as families, youth and providers, to develop and implement new approaches to psychotropic medication use.

Nationwide rates of psychotropic medication use are especially high among children in the child welfare system. Oregon has made improvements and in 2009 new legislation strengthened psychotropic medication laws allowing children in its care to have the appropriate health assessment and early diagnosis in the course of treatment.

On October 31, 2008, 20 percent of children in Oregon's foster care were receiving psychotropic medications. By comparison, in 2010, our numbers show improvement with 14 percent receiving psychotropic medications.

"Foster children are in the care and custody of the state, and we take their medical care very seriously," said Erinn Kelley-Siel, DHS director. "DHS and our partners at OHA have been working closely on this issue for several years, and this collaborative will help us continue to improve the quality of services foster children deserve when they are in a crisis."

Recent federal legislation requires child welfare agencies to partner with state Medicaid agencies (Oregon Health Authority has this role in Oregon) to develop coordinated plans for the monitoring and oversight of psychotropic medication use among children in foster care.

"This important initiative will help us better coordinate the mental health treatment for foster children," says Bruce Goldberg, M.D., Oregon Health Authority director. "We know that coordination of care will bring better health for children and also lower costs for the state, and we look forward to working with our federal partners."

Lessons and best practices identified through the collaborative will be shared broadly to guide other states in developing effective policies and practices for the appropriate use of psychotropic medications, so as to improve care and outcomes for children in foster care throughout the country.

"We are delighted to welcome these five states to advance opportunities for more effective psychotropic medication use for children in foster care," says Kamala D. Allen, director of Child Health Quality at CHCS. "These teams are clearly committed to finding innovative ways to ensure that the children entrusted to their care receive the most appropriate services to meet their needs, and achieve the best outcomes possible."

For more information on CHCS's work in children's behavioral health and child welfare, visit www.chcs.org.

A Home of Their Own

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Despite their five-year age difference, Gabriel, 10, and Leticia, 5, are loving siblings who have very strong ties. They will enhance the right adoptive family with their affection and energy. Gabe says that although his little sister has days where she "sticks to him like Velcro," he loves her and is very protective of her. Leticia, in turn, idolizes her older brother. These children have truly blossomed in their current foster home.

Intelligent Gabe has an enthusiasm for life that fuels his many interests. He loves to fish, play sports, camp, swim, hike, and just about anything that involves the outdoors. He also loves to read, especially fantasy and science fiction. Gabe does quite well in school and enjoys playing with other kids.

Happy, active Leticia enjoys the outdoors, swimming and family activities. While she is on track developmentally in all but her speech, she has already made huge gains, and it is expected that she will be at grade level by kindergarten. Leticia loves to color, be read to and play with other children.

There are all kinds of adventures that this brother and sister would like to share together with an adoptive family. Gabe and Leticia will thrive with nurturing parents who have extensive time and attention set aside just for them.

If you would like more information on these children, please contact Angela Dindia at

adindia@boysandgirlsaid.org or 800-331-0503 .

Sponsor a Fish at the Madras Aquatic Center and support Jefferson County CASA

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly Tracy-Holly) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:23:00 +0000

A large and colorful mural, created by the Central Oregon Artists for Hope in cooperation with Madras High School Art Students and other community artists, will be unveiled at the Madras Aquatic Center (MAC) this Spring. The students and community artists hand painted approximately 100 fish, each of them unique and colorful.

In celebration of the mural and to help sustain the MAC and its programs, as well as to support the CASA Volunteer Organization, we are soliciting sponsorships for each of the hand painted fish. Each donor will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win $500. Tickets sales begin Saturday, March 17th at the Madras Aquatic Center. The minimum donation is $35 and you will receive a replica of one of the hand painted fish that are in the mural as well as an entry into the raffle for a chance to win $500.

Central Oregon Artists for Hope is a non-funded group of local artists who work collaboratively on art projects to benefit the community. Sharon Miller from the Studio on 5^th Street and co-chairman of this group stated that "It's so great to see our community artists come together for these two important causes. It's wonderful to live in a community where everyone pitches in to promote health and well-being for the kids"

Contact Anita Goodwin anitagoodwin@gmail.com 541-350-8821 for additional information.

Mark Your Calendar for Monday, April 2, 2012 and be a part of the "Raise Me Up" Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 01:42:00 +0000

A Call to Action for Children in Foster Care

Raise Me Up campaign shows how people can get involved to serve children

Raise Me Up is an effort by Deschutes Children and Families Commission, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), DHS, and Casey Family Programs to shed light on the challenges of children in foster care. Casey Family Programs is the largest national operating foundation whose sole mission is to provide and improve – and ultimately prevent the need for – foster care.

A grassroots effort to bring over 200 community members together to represent the number of children that spent at least one day in foster care last year is scheduled during the noon hour on April 2, the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention month.

As a call-to-action we are asking citizens during their lunch hour to meet in front of the courthouse starting at noon. The “Raise Me Up” ceremony will start at 12:15 with opening remarks provided by Judge Brady and a foster care youth. The ceremony will conclude at 12:30 with a special flag raising ceremony and citizens joining hands around the courthouse. The flag will fly the month of April to remind our community the challenges foster children face and what people who want to serve can do - fostering or adopting children, volunteering to help or working directly with youth, or raising awareness about foster care.

“As a community it is our fundamental obligation to help children who are in foster care through no fault of their own,” said Pam Fortier, Executive Director of CASA of Central Oregon. “Raise Me Up” is a call to action for everyone who believes that these vulnerable children deserve the opportunity to grow up happy, healthy and successful. But to truly raise these children up, and reduce the need for foster care in the first place, we need the help of the whole community. Together we can lift up the lives of children in foster care and we think this event will inspire people to do just that.”

Visit www.raisemeup.oregon.gov , for more information about foster care and how you can serve children in Deschutes County.

Foot Zone Early Registration Light of Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly Tracy-Holly) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:17:00 +0000

LIGHT OF HOPE 10K & 5K

EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT AT Foot Zone

March 24, 2012

10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

CASA of Central Oregon with Presenting Sponsor Bend Urology will host the 5th Annual Light of Hope USATF 10K, 5K and 1K Run/Walk on Sunday, April 22 at 9 a.m. at the Riverbend Park in Bend.

10K & 5K EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT MARCH 24 - SAVE $5

10K and 5K - Discounted from $30 to $25 registration fee includes a shirt

10K and 5K - Discounted from $20 to $15 registration fee (no shirt)

Registration Discount applies only for March 24 in-store registration at FootZone located at 845 NW Wall St. Call 541.389.1618 for more information or visit casaofcentraloregon.org.

CASA brings a voice of hope for abused and neglected children in Central Oregon. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) ensure that every child has the right to learn, and grow, and be treated with dignity and respect in a safe and loving home.

100% of the proceeds will lead to the fulfillment of our mission of providing a highly trained volunteer for EVERY abused and neglected child under the protection of the juvenile justice system in Central Oregon.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Watch to See How You Can Change a Life..

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly Tracy-Holly) — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:11:00 +0000

CASA volunteers change lives every day. When you support National CASA, you're supporting people like Cecil and Jerry. Watch their story.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqX9_LK8mPc

The CASA Difference

www.youtube.com

One young man's life is changed for the better, thanks to his CASA volunteer.

CASA of Central Oregon: $25 Mt. Bachelor Lift Vouchers

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly Tracy-Holly) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:10:00 +0000

CASA of Central Oregon: $25 Mt. Bachelor Lift Vouchers: CASA of Central Oregon is honored to be selected as a beneficiary for Mt. Bachelor 's Fourth Annual April Charity Ski Week fundraiser. Ho...

Don't Miss Out! Light of Hope Early Registration Saturday March 10, 2012 at Fleet Feet

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly Tracy-Holly) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 01:55:00 +0000

LIGHT OF HOPE 10K & 5K

EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT AT FLEET FEET

March 10, 2012

Bend, OR – CASA of Central Oregon with Presenting Sponsor Bend Urology will host the 5^th Annual Light of Hope USATF 10K, 5K and 1K Run/Walk on Sunday, April 22 at 9 a.m. at the Riverbend Park in Bend.

10K & 5K EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT MARCH 10 – SAVE $5 and get a FREE Frisbee!

10K and 5K - ~~$30~~ $25 registration fee includes a shirt

10K and 5K - ~~$20~~ $15 registration fee (no shirt)

Registration Discount applies only for March 10 in-store registration at Fleet Feet located at 1320 Galveston Ave. Call 541.389.1618 for more information or visit www.casaofcentraloregon.org.

Light of Hope Sponsors

CASA Guardian: Bend Urology

CASA Protectors: American Licorice & Les Schwab
2012 Media Sponsorship: BendBroadband