Press Releases

CASA Press Releases

May 5, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Dan Prater, 417-864-6202
dan@CASAswmo.org

Run to aid Foster Children

CASA of Southwest Missouri is hosting the third annual “Run for a Child,” featuring a 5K and an 8K, Saturday, May 21.

The 5K–8K begins at 8:00 a.m. at Ridge Runner Sports, 3057 S. Fremont Ave.
Participants of all ages are encouraged to run, walk, bring strollers or walk their dogs.

This is a USATF Certified event. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers in all age brackets.

A pancake breakfast will be provided free to all participants following the race.

Registration fee: $10 children 12-under, $20 adults. Participants can pre-register by calling CASA or going to the CASA site – www.CASAswmo.org. Registration will also be available at the event on race day.

Proceeds from “Run for a Child” support area foster children and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri. CASA uses community volunteers to advocate for abused & neglected children in Greene County’s foster care system.

Registration forms available at Ridge Runner Sports and online at CASAswmo.org
For more information, call CASA public affairs director, Dan Prater, 417-864-6202.
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Gannett Foundation assists Child Advocates

January 24, 2011
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri has been awarded a $3,000
grant from the Gannett Foundation. The money will be used to develop a training curriculum that addresses issues of parental mental illness and its effect on the psychological and emotional health of abused and neglected children. The project will develop and incorporate this new training curriculum into orientation and ongoing in-service trainings by volunteer supervisors for CASA volunteer advocates.

Two of the major reasons that the Juvenile Court removes children from their homes here in Greene County are because of parental substance abuse and domestic violence. However, during the past six months Greene County has seen an increase in the Juvenile Court removing children from their homes because of parental mental health issues that affect the health and safety of their children.

The Gannett Foundation is a corporate foundation sponsored by Gannett Co., Inc. Through its Community Grant Program, Gannett Foundation supports non-profit activities in the communities in which Gannett does business. The Springfield News-Leader, a member of Gannett Co., Inc.,
was instrumental in helping CASA of Southwest Missouri secure this grant award.

(CASA) of Southwest Missouri uses community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of Greene County's abused and neglected children. For more information, call Dan Prater, CASA Public Affairs Director, 417-864-6202.

Grant addresses impact of Mental Illness

January 10, 2011
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri has been awarded a $1,000 grant from the Musgrave Foundation of Springfield, MO.

The grant money will be used to support training for volunteer advocates that addresses parental mental illness and its effect on children in the home.

CASA volunteers assist children who are in foster care. Many of these children come from homes where parents suffer from mental illnesses, including manic depression (bipolar), anxiety disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Schizophrenia, and other conditions. In many cases, these illnesses are not properly addressed due to a lack of available resources. As a result, children living under the care of these adults do not receive proper care and, in turn, may suffer.

The Musgrave Foundation was formed in 1984 by Jeannette L. Musgrave. From its inception, to date in 2008, the Foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $8,000,000 to selected charities in the Springfield, Missouri area. Mrs. Musgrave had three primary areas that she felt deeply committed to:

Under-privileged children
Helping people with scholarships (particularly young women entering nursing)
Providing economic assistance to the elderly

(CASA) of Southwest Missouri uses community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of Greene County's abused and neglected children. For more information, call Dan Prater, CASA Public Affairs Director, 417-864-6202.

CASA 2011 Board of Directors

January 6, 2011
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri is pleased to announce the following new members have been elected to serve on the 2011 Board of Directors:

Julie Cummings ï¿½ Director of Human Resources for BKD, LLP in Springfield.
Reggie McElhannon ï¿½ Director of Public Information, Alternative Opportunities (AO) Inc.
Mandy Anthes ï¿½Assistant Vice President/Commercial Loan Officer, The Bank of Missouri.
Sydney Croxdale ï¿½ Partner; Bohrer, Croxdale & McAdoo, Inc., Springfield
Jennifer Growcock ï¿½ Attorney with Polsinelli Shuggart PC in Springfield
Greg Weaver ï¿½ Attorney with Weaver Law, LLW in Springfield

New 2011 board officers:
David Yaktine- President.
Dr. Lorene Stone ï¿½ President Elect
Jennifer Agnew ï¿½Treasurer
Ashley French ï¿½Secretary

Retiring board members: Angela Stephens and Michelle West.

CASA of Southwest Missouri is a nonprofit organization that uses community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of Greene Countyï¿½s abused and neglected children.

For more information, call Dan Prater, CASA Public Affairs Director, 417-864-6202.

Ceremony to recognize local Child Advocates

December 7, 2010
For Immediate Release

Springfield, MO - The Honorable Judge David Jones will administer the oath to 22 new Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Friday, Dec. 10, 1:30 p.m. at the Greene County Historic Courthouse, 940 Boonville, Springfield, MO. The ceremony will take place in room 212, the county commissionerï¿½s public meeting place.

The public is invited to attend this special ceremony honoring both the child advocate volunteers and the children who have been victims of abuse and neglect.

Special guest speakers include Jill Patterson, Greene County assistant prosecuting attorney for cases involving crimes against persons. Jill has been prosecuting cases of child abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault in Greene County for more than 15 years, but is retiring her position at the end of this month.

CASA volunteers are community volunteers who complete 30-hours of orientation training and serve as an advocate for children in foster care due to abuse or neglect. CASA volunteers serve on a Family Support Team, providing information to the GAL attorney and the Juvenile Court Judge. Volunteers ensure childrenï¿½s educational, physical, and emotional needs are being met while in foster care.

For more information, call CASA public affairs director, Dan Prater, 417-864-6202, x252, or email at dprater@CASAswmo.org.