Press Releases

CASA Press Releases

Public Child Abuse and Advocacy Informational Session

April 30, 2008
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri is inviting members of the community to attend one of two meetings on Tuesday, May 20, to learn about the local problem of child abuse/neglect, and to learn about working as an advocate for children who have been victims of abuse and neglect.

The first session will be at noon at Midtown Carnegie Branch Library, 397 E. Central Street, Springfield. The second session of the day will be at 6:00 p.m., at Burrell Children's Center, 1300 Bradford Parkway, Springfield. Persons may come and go at any time during the one-hour sessions.

The sessions will provide information on:

The problem of child abuse in Greene County and Southwest MO
The need for CASA volunteers to serve as child advocates
The requirements and responsibilities of a volunteer, including training and education

CASA volunteers work one-on-one with children and families, assisting the juvenile court judge in protecting the children's best interests. New training classes begin May 31st.

For more information or directions, call Dan Prater, CASA Public Affairs Director, 417-875-7419.

Infants New Target of Abuse and Neglect

April 4, 2008
For Immediate Release

A new national study says about 1 in 50 infants in the U.S. have been neglected or abused. Nearly a third of the victims were one week old or younger when the maltreatment was reported, government researchers said Thursday.

In Greene County, over the past year there has been a trend of children 1 year or younger who are entering the foster care system due to abuse and neglect. In response to the increased numbers of children entering the system, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) has increased its number of volunteers to serve the county’s foster children.

Today at 2:30 p.m. in the Rotunda of the Historic Greene County Courthouse, 940 Boonville Ave., Springfield, there will be a ceremony to swear in 19 new child advocates. The 15-minute event will conducted by Greene County officials and the Honorable Judge Robert Lawson.

CASA of Southwest Missouri utilizes community volunteer advocates who assist the court in protecting the best interests of abused and neglected children in Southwest Missouri. For more information, call Dan Prater, CASA public affairs director, 417-875-7419 or 417-576-2210.

CASA adds new Board Member - David Yaktine

February 22, 2008
For Immediate Release

David is the Managing Director of the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network in Springfield, MO. He has a Bachelor’s degree in finance from Southwest Missouri State University.

Public invited to Informational Session

February 21, 2008
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri will present two community meetings on Tuesday, March 18, for persons interested in working with foster children who have been victims of abuse and neglect.

The first session will be open from noon to 1:00 p.m., at 921 N. Boonville, across from the Historic Courthouse. The second session of the day will be from 6:00-7:00 p.m., at Burrell Children's Center, 1300 Bradford Parkway. Persons may come and go at any time during the sessions.

The sessions will provide information on:
   • The problem of child abuse in Greene County and Southwest MO
   • The need for CASA volunteers to serve as child advocates
   • The requirements and responsibilities of a volunteer, including training and education

CASA volunteers work one-on-one with children and families, assisting the juvenile court judge in protecting the children's best interests. Due to limited volunteers, CASA of Southwest Missouri serves less than one-fourth of the 900 children in need in Greene County.

For more info on CASA, call Dan Prater, CASA Communications Director, 417-875-7419, or email dan@casaswmo.org

CASA Adds New Board Members

January 3, 2008
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri is pleased to announce the following additions to its board of directors:

Peg Carolla, MSW – Peg is a well known community volunteer who has served on the boards of Community Hospice, The Rotary Club, the Council of Churches, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the Dickerson Park Zoo, and the Ozark Dressage Society.
Laura Johnson, J.D. – Laura practices employment and school law with Ellis, Ellis, Hammons, & Johnson Law Firm in Springfield, MO.
Lorene Stone, PhD – Lorene is the Dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs at Missouri State University. She has served on the board of directors of The Victim Center, Rotary International, and Leadership Missouri.
Michelle West – Michelle is the Communications Manager for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. She has a broad background in media, public affairs, and marketing.

CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, utilizes community volunteer advocates who assist the court in protecting the best interests of abused and neglected children in Southwest Missouri. Acting as a communications link between the complicated pieces of the child welfare system, volunteers gather pertinent information about their child’s case and make recommendations to the judge based on that information.

For more info on CASA, call Dan Prater, CASA Communications Director, 417-875-7419, or email dan@casaswmo.org

Former Abuse Investigator joins CASA Staff

December 6, 2007
For Immediate Release

Debra Johnson has joined the staff of CASA of Southwest Missouri. She will serve as a Volunteer Supervisor, working with child advocate volunteers.

Johnson has a BS in Social Work from Middle Tennessee State University. During her career she has worked as a Child Abuse Investigator and Team Leader for the State of Tennessee, and most recently, as a Housing Counselor for OACAC in Springfield, MO.

Johnson resides in Springfield with husband, Josh, and two daughters.

For more info on CASA, call Dan Prater, CASA Communications Director, 417-875-7419, or email dan@casaswmo.org

Public invited to Informational Session

November 26, 2007
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri will present a 60-minute community meeting for persons interested in working with children who have been victims of abuse and neglect. The session will be Thursday, November 29, from 6:00- 7:00 p.m., Burrell Children's Center, 1300 Bradford Parkway, Springfield.

This casual one-hour informational meeting will briefly cover:

The problem of child abuse in Greene County and Southwest MO
The need for CASA volunteers to serve as child advocates
The requirements and responsibilities of a volunteer, including training and education

This meeting will be on the first floor of the Burrell Behavioral Health's Children's Center, 1300 Bradford Parkway. CASA encourages individuals from all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to attend.

For more info on CASA, call Dan Prater, CASA Communications Director, 417-875-7419, or email dan@casaswmo.org

Legislator Hosts “Dare to Care for Kids” Tour

November 5, 2007
For Immediate Release

Representative Bob Dixon will hold a kick-off meeting to his “Dare to Care for Kids” Tour on Thursday, November 8, at CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Southwest Missouri.

The event is designed to provide insight into the work of CASA, and to discover new ways to volunteer to help children.

The following week, Nov. 12-14, the “Dare to Care for Kids” Tour will continue. Members of the public are invited to join Rep. Dixon each day from 9am-4pm. A charter bus will transport participants as they travel to various organizations, learning about the services available in Springfield. A free lunch will be provided each day. Reservations are being accepted now by calling 1-866-291-5077.

CASA of Southwest Missouri utilizes community volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in Greene County’s foster care system. Greene County has one of the state’s highest child abuse and neglect rates.

The Nov. 8th event will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Burrell Behavioral Health Children’s Center, 1300 Bradford Parkway, Springfield, MO. Rep. Dixon and CASA volunteers will be available for interviews.

For more info on CASA, call Dan Prater, CASA Communications Director, 417-875-7419, or email dan@casaswmo.org

To contact Rep. Dixon’s office, call 573-751-9809

Child Advocates receive Health Grant

October 17, 2007
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri has received a $15,850 grant award from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO).

Funding from the CFO grant will be used to implement a collaborative effort between CASA, the Springfield-Greene County Health Dept., and other local organization to provide enhanced training for new and current CASA child advocate volunteers.

The training will assist volunteers in recognizing and addressing the physical, emotional, and behavioral health problems of children who have been abused or neglected. Training will help volunteers incorporate early intervention strategies in order to more successfully advocate for the child’s safety and well-being.

The grant is part of the CFO’s $1.5 million commitment to address children’s “red flag” issues over the next five years in cooperation with the “Grantmakers’ Challenge for Children.”

For more info on CASA, call Dan Prater, CASA Communications Director, 417-875-7419, or email dan@casaswmo.org

UPS Foundation supports Child Advocates

October 2, 2007
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri has received a $5,000 grant from the UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS.

The grant will be used to recruit and train volunteer child advocates. These trained advocates will be assigned to children in Greene County’s foster care system.

“Through the support of the UPS Foundation, CASA will be able to impact hundreds of the abused and neglected children in our county,” said Judy Doverspike, CASA executive director. “We are extremely grateful for their support.”

The UPS Foundation has identified literacy, hunger relief, and volunteerism as its focus areas. In 2006, the UPS Foundation distributed $45 million worldwide through grants to organizations and programs that provide support for building stronger communities.

CASA of Southwest Missouri serves children in the jurisdiction of Greene County. There are approximately 850 children in Greene County’s care. Less than one fourth of these children, about 200, currently have a court appointed special advocate. More volunteers are needed.

For more info on CASA, call Dan Prater, CASA Communications Director, 417-875-7419, or email dan@casaswmo.org

Target supports child rearing research

September 27, 2007
For Immediate Release

Target has awarded a $3,000 grant to CASA of Southwest Missouri. The grant will be used to support an ongoing three-year study into child rearing practices in the Ozarks.

This grant is part of ongoing efforts by Target to strengthen families and communities throughout the country. Since opening its doors, Target has given 5% of its income to organizations that support education, the arts and safe families and communities. Today that translates to $3 million every week.

CASA communications director, Dan Prater, is leading the child study, along with Dr. Mark Rushefsky and Dr. Joan McClennen from Missouri State University. “Exploring cultural practices will help us understand some of the reasons behind our community’s high child abuse and neglect rate,” Prater said. “We are very pleased to partner with Target on this important project.”

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is a nonprofit organization that utilizes community volunteers to assist children in the local foster care system, ensuring they receive proper services and are placed in a safe, permanent home as quickly as possible.

For more info on CASA, call Dan Prater, CASA Communications Director, 417-875-7419, or email dan@casaswmo.org

Comedians to help abused children

September 26, 2007
For Immediate Release

Child abuse is no laughing matter, but comedians from around the nation will perform Saturday, October 13, to help these kids have a better life.

The Branson Comedy Festival All-Stars will be held at 7:00 pm at the Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central Square, Springfield, MO, to raise money for abused and neglected children.

Proceeds from the event will be given to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Southwest Missouri. CASA utilizes volunteers from the community to assist the court in protecting the best interests of local children in the foster care system.

The Branson Comedy Festival All-Stars will feature well known stand-up comedians, including Tymon Shipp – winner of the 2006 Las Vegas Comedy Festival, and Kent Radar – winner of the 2007 Branson Comedy Festival, plus appearances by other up-and-coming comedians. The Missouri State University Sugar Bears will also perform at the event.

The Branson Comedy Festival All-Stars is a production of Kids on First, an Oklahoma based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting organizations that help abused and neglected children.

Tickets for the Branson Comedy Festival All-Stars can be purchased at missouristatetix.com or at the Gillioz Theatre box office, one hour before the show.

For more information about the event, go to Bransoncomedyfestival.com. For more info on CASA, call Dan Prater, CASA Communications Director, 417-875-7419.

Child Advocates receive Grant

August 30, 2007
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri has received a $2,500 grant award from the U.S. Bancorp Foundation through the Springfield, MO, affiliate of U.S. Bank.

The grant will be used to recruit and train local volunteer child advocates.

CASA volunteer advocates assist the court in protecting the best interests of abused and neglected children in Southwest Missouri, acting as a communications link between the complicated pieces of the child welfare system. Volunteers gather pertinent information about their child’s case and make recommendations to the judge based on that information.

U.S. Bank Foundation provided more than $20 million last year in cash grants to qualified nonprofit organizations in their 24-state banking region. They work with community partners who understand the needs of individuals, families and organizations, and match resources with those community needs.

Locally, U.S. Bank has locations in Springfield, Republic, Forsyth, Branson, and Branson West.

For more information, call CASA communications director, Dan Prater, 417-875-7419

Gannett Foundation / Springfield News-Leader help Child Advocates

August 20, 2007
For Immediate Release

The Gannett Foundation and the Springfield News-Leader have awarded a $3,166 grant to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri.

The grant will be used to provide an additional training class for volunteer child advocates. These trained advocates will be assigned to the cases of children in Greene County’s foster care system.

The Gannett Foundation is a corporate foundation sponsored by Gannett Co., Inc.. They give grants to organizations in the communities in which Gannett owns a daily newspaper or television station. Springfield News-Leader President and Publisher, Thomas Bookstaver: “We are proud to participate in such a worthy project.”

CASA is now accepting applications from community members who are interested in volunteering. A new 10-week training session for CASA volunteers will begin September 13.

For more information about volunteering, call CASA communications director, Dan Prater, 417-875-7419.

CASA awarded Expansion Grant

August 16, 2007
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri has received a $22,000 grant award from the National CASA Association, Seattle, WA.

The grant will be used to expand services to local children who are in foster care.

CASA is a national organization, with a network of more than 50,000 volunteers that serve 225,000 abused and neglected children through 900+ local program offices. Advocates, also known as volunteer guardians ad litem in some jurisdictions, are appointed members of the court. Judges rely on the information these trusted advocates present.

CASA of Southwest Missouri serves children in the jurisdiction of Greene County. There are approximately 850 children in Greene County’s care. About 200 of these children currently have a court appointed special advocate. There is an urgent need for more volunteers. Per capita, Greene County’s rate of child abuse and neglect is five times higher than the national average, and is more than three times higher than the rate of St. Louis County.

For more information, call CASA communications director, Dan Prater, 417-875-7419.

Child Advocates receive Grant

August 7, 2007
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri has received a $5,000 grant award from the Ozarks Health Advocacy Foundation, Inc.

CASA volunteers assist the court in protecting the best interests of abused and neglected children in Southwest Missouri. Funding from the OHAF grant will provide training to volunteers on health advocacy for children. Health advocacy includes monitoring children’s medical and developmental progress and making recommendations for appropriate services or programs.

The Ozarks Health Advocacy Foundation is a charitable foundation whose purpose is to give monetary support to 501(c)(3) organizations that address critical health needs in Southwest Missouri.

For more information, call CASA communications director, Dan Prater, 417-875-7419.

Community invited to Child Advocacy Session

July 17, 2007
For Immediate Release

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Missouri will present a 60-minute community meeting for persons interested in working with children who have been victims of abuse and neglect. The session will be Tuesday, July 24, from 5:30- 6:30 p.m., Burrell Children's Center, 1300 Bradford Parkway, Springfield.

This casual one-hour informational meeting will briefly cover:

The problem of child abuse in Greene County and Southwest Missouri
The need for CASA volunteers to serve as child advocates
The requirements and responsibilities of a volunteer including training and continuing education

CASA volunteers work one-on-one with children and families, assisting the juvenile court judge in protecting the children's best interests. Due to limited volunteers, CASA of Southwest Missouri serves less than one fourth of the 850 children in need in Greene County.

For more information or directions call Dan Prater, CASA Communications Director, 417-875-7419.