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 $50,000 National
CASA State Capacity-Building Grant Awarded to the Iowa CASA Program
We are very pleased to announce that the Iowa CASA
Program has been awarded a $50,000 National CASA State Capacity-Building
grant. Funding was awarded to create a
staff development leadership training series focused on the highest level of
volunteer management and skilled leadership.
The project will contract an experienced developer/trainer consultant to
assess group and individual leadership needs across all levels of the agency.
Results will drive the development and delivery of a training series to enhance
our staff's professional leadership skills, within the scope of general
volunteer management, cutting edge child welfare and advocacy knowledge to
remain abreast of advances in the field, organizing and understanding data,
communication skills that promote excellent leadership, and collaborative
teamwork approaches for use between staff, with volunteers and with
stakeholders. Our goal is to promote
excellence by addressing the critical need of staff development - to convey
respect for the professionalism required of this work by providing all staff
with consistent leadership training to ensure their professional success,
thereby ensuring the success of our CASA Advocates and our agency.
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The Polk County CASA Program received a very generous $28,012 grant from a donor who wishes
to remain anonymous. The grant funds will be used for contractual assistant
services and work to expand the role of CASA Support Volunteers in Polk
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United Way of North Central Iowa Continues Its Support of
the CASA Program
In May, 2017 the
North Iowa CASA Program received word that they were once again award funding
from the United Way of North Central Iowa to support their part-time CASA
Assistant position. This year’s grant
totaled $21,000, which is a $ 4,000 increase over last year’s funding. The UWNCI has been a strong supporter of the
North Iowa CASA Program for many years, allowing the program to grow and serve
over 200 children in the coverage area.
The North Iowa CASA Program is proud to be a United Way of North Central
Iowa partner!
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Theisen’s More
For Your Community Grants Awarded in
Seven Eastern Iowa Communities
The following local CASA Programs in seven Eastern Iowa communities
received Theisen’s More For Your Community grant awards:
Ames - $1500
Cedar Rapids,
NE - $1500
Charles City -
$1500
Coralville -
$1,000
DeWitt - $ 750
Iowa Falls - $ 750
Vinton - $1500
This
is the first year that CASA has applied for this funding opportunity, and we’re
thrilled that Theisen’s recognizes the value that our volunteer advocacy brings
to the live of Iowa’s children. The
grant funds will be combined with additional local grants to provide administrative
support for local Coordinators in the communities receiving awards. Each grant covers a radius of 60 miles,
allowing Eastern Iowa almost complete coverage for administrative assistance. Deep State budget de-appropriations resulted
in the CASA Program limiting the number of Advocates that can be served,
thereby resulting in fewer children receiving CASA Advocate support. The Theisen’s More For Your Community grant
awards will provide immediate administrative support to the local
programs, allowing Coordinators to expand the number of children who receive
CASA advocacy services by building the Coach model. In addition, administrative support will be
utilized to enhance the recruitment, training and placement of program support
volunteers to sustain or expand the contracted administrative support. This
funding will also support our agency’s initiative to become a certified Service
Enterprise Initiative (SEI), an organization that incorporates volunteerism in
all levels and aspects of its work. SEI organizations have proven to be
effective in operating with far lower operational funding than others which do
not use this approach. This additional
program support will also allow for data collection and evaluation to assess the effectiveness of our programs, assist in
leveraging sustainable funding for our programs and improve our services to
children.
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In November 2016, The Joe and Patty Lee Foundation
committed $5,000 per year for three years to assist in funding administrative
support and/or volunteer training. Patty
Lee was a long-time CASA Advocate in Linn County. Her commitment to the program and the needs
of Iowa’s children remains strong.
In August 2017, the North Iowa CASA Program received a $2500
donation from the Realtor Foundation of Iowa to be used for clerical
support. CASA volunteer Rhonda Clark is
a member of the Foundation and submitted a request on behalf of the local
program.
On November 15,
2017 the North Iowa CASA Program received notice of a funding award of $2,000
to support CASA volunteer training from the Stratford Foundation Trust in Mason City, Iowa. The Trust is strong supporter of
volunteerism.
 At the suggestion of Roberta Cornelius, the North Iowa CASA
Program applied in 2016 and 2017 to the Beth E Reinhhart Charitable Trust. This trust is designed to benefit 501c(3)
organizations that benefit children. North Iowa CASA received $2,000 from in
each year for volunteers and staff to attend the National CASA conference or
other child advocacy related conferences.
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The Linn County Foster Care Review Board Program received a
donation of $5,000 from the Millhiser Smith Foundation to support a
FCRB facilitator for 2018. The Millhiser Smith Foundation was
established in 2007 as a way for the owners and employees of the Millhiser
Smith agency to give back to the communities in which they live and
work. The Foundation’s goal is to assist
nonprofit organizations, based on their direct needs and their ability to make
a difference in the community. The
Foundation’s motto: Be a pebble. Join the Ripple. This phrase is based on the idea that the positive
actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects. It is important to the
Millhiser Smith Foundation to be an active, supportive organization for growth
and caring. Their hope is to start a positive ripple right here in eastern
Iowa.
Omaha
Gives
The Council Bluffs CASA Program was
a 2017 recipient of $1,202.03 from Omaha Gives.
This money is generated by people in the community who donate online to
their charity or charities of choice. These donations help build our
Friends account that support our volunteer retention/recognition and training
efforts.
Wells Fargo Awards $1,000 to the
North Iowa CASA Program
In October,
Wells Fargo notified the North Iowa CASA Program of a $1,000 award to support
the core responsibilities of the CASA program in recruiting, training and
supporting CASA Advocate volunteers and CASA Coaches in North Central
Iowa. Recognizing the value of the CASA Program to the local community,
Wells Fargo contacted the North Iowa CASA Program about this funding
opportunity. The application was
completed promptly, and funding was received in November.
Storm
Lake Community Chest
The Storm Lake Community Chest awarded the Storm Lake CASA
office $500.00 to be used for recruiting and training CASAs to advocate for
children in juvenile court.
The Iowa Child
Advocacy Board wishes to express our sincere thanks and gratitude for the
incredible support provided by these generous donors!
If you are
interested in donating to support our advocacy of children, please visit: https://childadvocacy.iowa.gov/donate.
If you are aware
of a funding opportunity via a local foundation, philanthropy or grant, please
contact your local Coordinator or Jennifer Slife: jennifer.slife@dia.iowa.gov or
319.310.5505.
Thank you!
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As a Reminder: For more information, resources and related articles
on Strengths and Promotive and
Protective Factors, watch for regular posts on our state Facebook page throughout
the month of December. https://www.facebook.com/CASAIOWA/ |
 For CASA Advocates: In-Service Training
Credit
If you would like to earn in-service credit about
how to view
parents through a trauma lens request information on how you can complete the
30 minute independent study training, Working with Parents Involved in the Child Welfare System from your local coordinator. You may also contact the ICAB State Training Specialist at lesa.christianson@dia.iowa.gov and share your comments on the videos watched,
on one of the resources posted on our State Facebook page, and your plan on
utilizing this information to advocate more effectively for the best interests
of the children we serve.
If you would like to formally learn
more about advocating with a strength- based lens, ask your Local Coordinator how you can participate in our Youth
Thrive Series or Strengthening
Families Series in-service training.
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Reminder CASA Advocates:
Fostering Futures: Supporting Youth Transitions to Adulthood Training is required for Advocates serving on cases of youth 14 or older within 6 months of case assignment or by the time the youth is 14 1/2. You may also attend a training session prior to the youth’s 14th birthday as this curriculum addresses the unique need of building rapport and trust with an older child.
Upcoming Sessions:
March 3 - Cedar Rapids
April 7 - West Des Moines
April 12 - Sioux City
At this
time of year, our childhood memories are not so distant. There seems to be a
quiet leaning toward recalling the days when we were little. Often a small
smile seeps into our hearts as we remember those special times of traditions we
could count on, of the best gift we ever received, and of the people who have
come and gone in our lives who meant so very much to us.
Our
CASA Advocates and FCRB Members are incredibly dear to our agency as they live
out the mission of serving at-risk children. We recognize how extremely hard
you work on their behalf and believe that your efforts will change generations
to come. We applaud your deep compassion and steadfast commitment. And we are so very proud to claim you as OUR
volunteers.
We wish you Peace, Hope and Joy
in this holiday season.
Blessings
from your ICAB staff
Iowa Child Advocacy Board
321 East 12th Street
4th Floor Lucas Building
Des Moines, IA 50319
childadvocacy@dia.iowa.gov
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