Happy Fall! New Coloring Page from CASA
Fall is here, and so is a new coloring page from Monroe County CASA! Created by local artist Joe Lee, this image celebrates what makes fall so much fun! Please download and print the image and color it. Then share your creation with us! Can you find the hidden C-A-S-A in the image? And here's the finished version, completed by Joe Lee! This project is funded by the City of Bloomington Arts Commission. We appreciate their support, along with Joe Lee's creativity, in bringing this project to life.
Check Out Our CASA Staff Book Recommendations for Volunteers and Community Members
The following are book recommendations from the Monroe County CASA Staff, intended to further your knowledge and understanding of topics that intersect with the work of a CASA volunteer. These are also great books for interested community members as well! Demon Copperhead - By Barbara Kingsolver This co-recipient of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize, and the winner of the 2023 Women’s Prize for Fiction, is a coming-of-age story following the life of a boy born into institutional poverty, navigating the foster care system, love, loss, child labor, and school, with a determination for survival, set in the mountains of southern ...
Pridefest Coloring Page by Joe Lee
Our next coloring page, designed by local artist Joe Lee and sponsored by the City of B loomington Arts Commission, is now available! In honor of our participation in this weekend's Pridefest, this one is designed especially for Pride! Can you find the C A S A hidden in the design below? Click the image to save the coloring page and print it for yourself. Once you've colored it, please take a photo, share it on social media, and tag us! We would love to see your finished work!
WFHB Block Rocker Coloring Page by Joe Lee
Thanks to a grant from the City of Bloomington Arts Commission, Monroe County CASA has been able to work with local artist Joe Lee on a series of designs that represent "helpers" in our community, as well as local community events and activities that make Bloomington so special! We have two versions of each design, one is just a black-and-white drawing that can be downloaded for you to color, as well as Joe's final color version! Our first design represents our great local music scene, including WFHB, our outstanding community radio station. Please feel free to download these designs, color ...
CASA is Hiring! Training Coordinator Needed.
Monroe County CASA Training Coordinator Job Description GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Training Coordinator provides professional pre-service training to Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers using a locally adapted curriculum developed by the National CASA Association. The Training Coordinator will also coordinate monthly in-service training sessions for current CASAs. This is a contracted position for up to 300 hours per year or 78 hours per quarter, with evaluations annually. This position will include evening hours, but the specific schedule will vary depending on the training schedule. QUALIFICATIONS The Training Coordinator should have the following education, skills, and experience: Bachelor's degree ...
Child Abuse Awareness Day – A Proclamation from Mayor John Hamilton
Mayor John Hamilton has officially declared April 1st as Child Abuse Awareness Day. April 1st is also the first day of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Check out the proclamation below and stay tuned to our social media for more information all month long.
Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
What are ACEs? ACEs stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences; these include potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood. Some examples of potential ACEs include: Experiencing violence, abuse, or neglect Witnessing violence in the home or community Having a family member attempt or die from suicide Substance use within the home Parental mental health problems Instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison This is not an exhaustive list as there are many more experiences that can cause trauma. How common are ACEs? About 61% of adults surveyed across 25 states reported they had experien ced ...
4-Legged Heroes: Facility Dog Helps Children in Court
Anyone who has had a dog will tell you the emotional impact they have on people. Our dogs are always there for us, whether we are celebrating good news or going through a difficult time. A dog can lend the emotional boost we need to get through these tough times. The experience can be frightening and emotionally taxing for children going through the court system. Having to recount the terrible things that have happened to them, let alone face the people who did them, can make a child feel unable to give vital testimony. That’s where facility dogs come in. ...
How to Make a Positive Impact on a Child: Guide by Age
It takes a village. From early childhood to adolescence, children need ever-evolving support and care from their adult role models. If you are looking to have a positive impact on a child in your life, this article builds upon the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets to offer a series of actionable steps you can take to best support the youth you care about as they age and enter new stages of development. The 40 Developmental Assets The 40 Developmental Assets are a list of factors that contribute to a young person’s success and healthy development. These assets promote positive behaviors ...
Help CASA Bring Greater Representation to Kids in Need
If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity that will help make a difference in the lives of children, Monroe County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) could be the organization for you. Going through the court system adds a lot of stress to a child already struggling with their home life. According to The Herald-Times, in 2021, 21% of Monroe County CASA cases involved physical abuse. CASA helps to provide greater representation to children that have been abused or neglected. A CASA observes a child in their placement and gets to know them so they can best advocate for them ...