CASA Delaware Live!

In Episode #114, we chat with DFS Director Trenee Parker and WrapAround Delaware Foster Parent Recruitment Director Haydee Rodriguez about foster parent recruitment and retention. Together, we discuss how a foster parent is recruited, what their training looks like and how a CASA can best work with a foster parent.  If any CASA knows someone who is interested in becoming a foster parent, please ha...

In Episode #113, I chat with myself about how to interview different partners from DFS social workers to biological parents, from children to therapists. Asking questions can be difficult, so this is a guide in suggested questions to ask. Remember, there is NO right way to advocate for a child. The only error is inaction. So keep those questions coming!

In Episode #112, we chat with LaTysse, Jen, Jessica, and Clark as they share their experiences as a CASA Coordinator. They share some of their techniques to support their CASA Volunteers as well as some actions they take to be supportive on difficult cases. Happy listening! 

In Episode #111, we chat with Mike McHugh from Children and Families First as well as Lauren Reid from the Division of Family Services. Both discuss the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program that focuses on using a child's connections to secure adoptive or permanent resources. This is a great program that has just been brought to Delaware! Enjoy!   Any questions about the program, please contac...

In Episode #110, we interview 3 CASA volunteers who have experience working with difficult partners. These partners include biological relatives and DFS workers. The purpose of this podcast is not to "bash" anyone, simply highlight the action that the CASA Volunteers took to keep the case moving forward. Enjoy! 

In Episode #109, we interview Lezley Sexton and Danielle Gumbs who run the Transition Age Youth Program. This "TAY" program is a case-management program that connects youth ages 16 to 24 years old to community resources surrounding substance abuse and/or mental health. They are a resource to some of our kids and families.  Do you think you can make a referral? Email them at DSAMH_TAY@del...

In Episode #108, we chat with Nick Beard and Tisha Jackson who are both zealous advocates for Domestic Violence survivors. They chat with us specifically about the Community Health Project which connects survivors to community resources such as housing, employment, and mental health services. Enjoy! Information on referrals can be found here: https://dcadv.org/what-we-do/advocacy-policy-work/healt...

In Episode #107, we chat with Kathie Herel who runs the Parent Information Center ("PIC") specifically the Educational Surrogate Parent (ESP) Program. She has a wealth of knowledge in the field of special education so we are taking the opportunity to ask her questions that CASAs have sent in about special education, the ESP Program, and all sorts of other things! Want more info? Check ou...

In Episode #106, I provide some information on Independent Living Services. While we have a few podcasts on IL Services, I had a guest cancellation so I had to wing it with a last-minute plan. So, let's chat about Independent Living Services! Enjoy!

In Episode #105, we hear from Clark Huffman (CASA Coordinator), Christine Jones-Bey Brown (Independent Living Provider Case Manager) and Amander Lee (Independent Living Provider Worker). They explain the purpose of a STEPS meeting including when it's held, who attends, and the hopeful outcomes. Happy Listening! 

In Episode #104, we chat with Department of Justice attorney Kristina Bensley and Chief of Legal Services at the Office of the Child Advocate Kelly Ensslin. Both ladies discuss the sex offender registry with us especially as it pertains to potential parents & caregivers in our DFS cases. Enjoy! Here are a couple of links that Kristina provides to us: https://www.nsopw.gov/   https://sexoffende...

In Episode #103, we chat with Cheryl Crowe who spends her professional career in the animal abuse arena while also serving as a CASA Volunteer. In our chat today, Cheryl discusses the correlation between animal and child abuse. She shares some resources with us as well. Enjoy! https://nationallinkcoalition.org/ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/nose-tail https://home.army.mil/lewis-mcchord/a...

In Episode #102, we chat with Detective Chris Phillips of the New Castle County Police Department along with Jennifer McCann of Victim's Services.  Detective Phillips and Jennifer share with us how they work cases that involve child death and/or serious abuse, how they partner with other team members such as the Child Advocacy Center and the Department of Justice, and then what types of resou...

In Episode #101, we chat with Cassandra McCay of Connecting Generations. She tells us about this program that might be an asset to our youth in care. As a CASA, we are always looking for support services for our youth, so perhaps consider utilizing this program.  If you have additional questions, feel free to contact Cassandra via email at cmckay@connecting-generations.org. If you'd like to r...

In Episode #100, we chat with OCA Data Director Jennifer Sieminski. She managed the Apricot portal and a small staff to run reports, compare data, and provide information and support to several child welfare agencies. Let's learn why Data is so important! 

In Episode #99, we chat with State Director Melissa Palokas! Missy walks us through some stats revolving around Delaware's children as well as CASA Volunteers. Lauren also provides a brief summary of 2024 training opportunities. Enjoy!

In Episode #98, we chat with four CASA volunteers as they share their experience focusing on the positive during a case that might not be going so positively at times. These four share some of the actions they took to seek permanency for their CASA child including dedicated communication even when it wasn't reciprocated. Maybe some of their suggestions might be helpful to you as you advocate...

In Episode #97, we chat with Bob Blouin from Clothing Our Kids. Clothing Our Kids is a non-profit organization serving Sussex County that clothe children in need. Bob explains to us how children can access their services and what a CASA Volunteer should know about Clothing Our Kids to help direct their child to access this service. Enjoy Here is their website: https://www.clothingourkids.org/

In Episode #96, we chat with....well, myself! CASA Training Director Lauren Brueckner takes time to explain the elements of a CASA Court Report, How to Calculate Monthly Hours, How to Use Apricot, and What Are The Non-Negotiables of Being a CASA. Enjoy!

In Episode #95, we chat with Deputy Child Attorney Molly Shaw as she walks us through the legislative process and highlights what bills were passed (and are pending) relating to child welfare. Some of these bills include updates to mandatory reporting as well as the pilot creation of the Driver's License and Insurance program. Enjoy! How a Bill Becomes a Law

In Episode #94, we chat with CASA Coordinators LaTysse McKinzie-Mack and Tahira Ayyaz to focus on Self-Care... why is self care necessary, what are some ways to practice self-care and what resources exist for CASA volunteers experiencing an emotional challenge with a case. Enjoy! 

In Episode #93, we interview Mandy Timmons who works directly with families during the reunification process. She becomes appointed to a parent along side of a parent attorney, allow the two of them to advocate and support the parent during reunification. Mandy is specifically serving Sussex County but she does have a counterpart in New Castle County. Kent County will hopefully receive this servic...

In Episode #92, we speak with Kathie Herel from the Parent Information Center. She administers the Educational Surrogate Parent program. A Surrogate Parent is a volunteer who assumes the parental rights of a child in foster care to advocate on their behalf for Early Intervention or Special Education services. In this episode, we learn about special education as well as what goes into an IEP (Indiv...

In Episode #91, we chat with current CASA Coordinators Jess Hazzard and Lisa Reaves. They bring a unique perspective to the CASA Program since they came to us from the New Behavioral Network as Family Interventionists themselves! They share their experience working with CASAs and provide some best practices on how to work with "FIs" during a reunification case. Enjoy! 

In Episode #90, we focus on how a CASA volunteer can successfully take over a case from another CASA volunteer. Every now and then, a CASA must leave the program or the case for a reason beyond their control. It happens, so when it does, we want to efficiently be able to appoint a new CASA to take their place. These three CASA Volunteers (Karen, Jessica and Gary) share their experiences and some t...