CASA Delaware Live!

In Episode #82, we interview child attorney Bonnie Gladu. She mostly serves Kent County cases working her corner of the CASA Triad. Bonnie sheds some light on how she uses her previous career as a therapist to best advocate for children experiencing foster care. Bonnie also provides some insight into how she feels CASA volunteers can best support the Child Attorney in their case as well as some ti...

In Episode #81, we speak with retired Family Court Judge Aida Waserstein. She has spent roughly 45 years in family law, first as a practioner and her final 21 years were spent on the bench. She has an incredible life story involving experience in foster care herself. Judge Waserstein is also an author of My Name is Aida and several other children's books. She shares her insight with us on how...

In Episode #80, we chat with Dr. Lynn Moyer who discusses child specific recruitment, known as CSR. As a child-specific recruiter, Lynn works with prospective adoptive families for children who are unable to reunite with their parents. In this podcast, she discusses how she works with families through a commitment lens to ensure the identified family is a good fit for the child. She discusses why...

In Episode #79, Claudine Wiant of the Beau Biden Foundation describes what Human Trafficking is, who are the potential victims, and how to prevent human trafficking. She explains the history of how it became illegal as well as what CASA volunteers should be aware of when working with a youth experiencing foster care, as they are a target population. Here are some resources she shared with us: 1-88...

In Episode #78, we chat with Nick Beard who works in the field of Domestic Violence. Nick is also a CASA volunteer so she is able to weave her experience as both a CASA and a DV advocate. She shares some information on how domestic violence effects children and their families. She tells about some key terms we should use and some that we should avoid. She also discusses some resources that can be...

In Episode #77, we chat with social worker and CASA Amina Saunders who shares with us some insight on best advocacy strategies for representing minority youth. In Delaware, we have an unequal demographic when it comes to CASAs racial background and the children we represent. Amina shares some nationwide statistics about minority youth in care but also shares some actions that CASAs can take to bes...

In Episode #76, we split it into two sections. The first section is an interview with CASA State Director Melissa Palokas. Missy shares with us some stats about 2022 in regards to child representation as well as CASA statistics. She also shares some priorities for 2023 which includes the need for more CASAs! If you know of anyone interested, please send them our way! The second part of the podcast...

In Episode #75, we chat with Stacy Shamburger of the Life Lines Program, which is part of the West End Neighborhood house. Stacy explains the Life Lines program and what services are provided to the child we advocate for. Stacy describes who qualifies and what information about the program might be helpful for CASAs to know. Enjoy! 

In Episode #74, we chat with three CASA Volunteers about how the Get Started! Mike Deloy and Sarah Fulton have both been CASA Volunteers for about 1.5 years, while Lynne Nickel has been a CASA for about 5 years. All three share their thoughts on how they get started on a case, who they interview first, and what actions they take to identify potential permanency options. This is a great podcast for...

In Episode #73, we chat with New Castle County Family Court Judge Michael Arrington, Kent County Family Court Judge Mardi Pyott, and Sussex County Family Court Judge Paula Ryan. All three judges share their thoughts on the importance of involving youth in court. They also discuss ways that youth can participate, what barriers exist to their participation, and ways to overcome those barriers. The t...

In Episode #72, we interview Tracy Whitehouse and Moira Dillon of the Division of Family Services to explore Levels of Care, known as LOC. Both Tracy and Moira discuss what Levels of Care are used for and how they impact a child experiencing foster care. This podcast is super helpful for any CASA to listen to as it explains how a child's needs are determined and how that affects payments for...

In Episode #71, we chat with CASA Rob Teti and his CASA youth, Tymir. Tymir came into care and received Rob as his CASA. Rob worked with Tymir for several weeks and immediately identified some of Tymir's needs and interests. Turns out, Tymir loves animals and guess who is a Veterinarian? You guessed it....Rob! They immediately clicked over animals and Rob supported Tymir as he was reunified w...

In Episode #70, we interview Jocelyn Langrehr from the Prevention of Behavioral Health department. She explains what a CAS evaluation is, who makes referrals, what a psychologist considers when conducting a CAS evaluation, and what is the purpose of a CAS evaluation. Often times, a CASA volunteer finds themselves with a youth who is being referred for a CAS evaluation. It might be for a variety of...

In Episode #69, we interview three CASA Volunteers who share their strategies in how they broke down the barriers with their assigned youth. Rob shared that he created Ground Rules : Be honest Stay open-minded No judgement He feels that it is very helpful to lay out some ground rules with his assigned youth so that they each know there the other is coming from. Mary shared her experience with  Com...

In Episode #68, CASA Volunteers play a Jeopardy-Style game show to learn more about specific Delaware acronyms! In child welfare, there are all too many acronyms and it helps to understand what most of them are as well as what they actually do. Enjoy! 

In Episode #67, we speak with Matt Coyle of the American Lung Association. He describes two teen programs with us and how the American Lung Association collaborates with schools to promote education centered around smoking. He describes the difference between cigarettes and e-cigarettes and provides us with some information on how to support our teen clients who might find themselves interested in...

In Episode #66, we interview Aiyana Lucas from Wrap Around Delaware. She is a facilitator of Dual Status Youth Meetings, known as DSYMs. These meetings are focused on bringing the team together for youth who are involved in both DFS (child welfare) and YRS (juvenile justice) in helping to streamline efforts provided by both agencies. Aiyana chats with us about how those meetings are held, who atte...

In Episode #65, we interview Family Court Judge Theresa Hayes! She was appointed to the bench in November, 2021 and has spent decades working in family law in private practice. During our chat, she discusses what inspired her to get into family law and how her transition has been from private practice to joining the bench. She has worked with CASA Volunteers for decades and describes what she feel...

In Episode #64, we chat with Aaron Prince of the Bayard House, a transitional housing option for pregnant and parenting teens. The Bayard House is part of Catholic Charities and provides residents with support in attaining child care, education, and employment. Residence receive their own room and resources to care for newborns and toddlers. The clients work with a case manager to connect with the...

In Episode #63 we chat with Dr. Angie Hattery about Domestic Violence. Angela J. Hattery is Professor of Women & Gender Studies and Co-Director of the Center for the Study & Prevention of Gender-Based Violence at the University of Delaware. She is the author of 11 books, including her most recent book, Gender, Power and Violence: Responding to Intimate Partner Violence in Society Today (20...

In Episode #62, we chat with Chief of Legal Services, attorney Kelly Ensslin to discuss the different permanency options available to children experiencing foster care. In Delaware, we have four (4) main permanency options: Reunification Guardianship Permanent Guardianship TPR/Adoption Kelly discusses these in detail and includes who can apply for each, what legal criteria exists, what benefits mi...

In this episode Office of the Child Advocate staff member Megan Bittinger discusses ways CASA volunteers can support the LGBTQ+ Community. She discusses the use of pronouns, ways in which we can be sensitive and supportive as well as describes some terms that might be helpful.  Before starting this podcast, please consult two resources that might helpful as Megan consults both during her discussio...

In Episode #60, we chat with Adrienne Owen, the Multidisciplinary Discipline Team Trainer. She has decades experience in law enforcement and brings with her a unique perspective to child abuse and child welfare. Adrienne chats with us about what is Mandatory Reporting, who is a Mandatory Reporter, and what to do when YOU make a DFS Child Abuse Hotline Report. Please take a moment and put the Repor...

In Episode #59, we interview three CASAs with experience in advocating for babies. We have Sarah Vernon from New Castle County, Brenda Berry from Kent County and Terry Shuchart from Sussex County. All three of these ladies have advocated for a baby, meaning they are less than 3 months old. In this episode, Sarah, Brenda, and Terry focus on how their advocacy differs from that of an older child esp...

In Episode #58, we speak to Claudine Wiant and Reggie Laster both from the Beau Biden Foundation. They explain to us what exactly "Sexting" is, how it can emotionally, socially, and legally affect children and what CASA Volunteers should know about it. They also share great insight on how a CASA, or any adult, can speak to a child about sexting and staying safe while using the internet a...