Voices for Children/CASA of Broome and Tioga Counties

Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month?

Here's a great resource to build your awareness and MH skillset all year long!!! The podcasts topics vary and are from our friends at MindSpring Mental Health Alliance.

https://us.list-manage.com/IMPZtWwGFLI?e=0295abb302&c2id=6c64bd0241968e4836bbc94c2dd83cb0

May is National Foster Care Month!
Why is that significant?

Voices For Children/CASA of Broome and Tioga Counties wants to thank those who are serving and have served these families and children.

Here's why - from National CASA/National CASA / GAL Association for Children:

At National CASA/GAL, National Foster Care Month holds deep significance. It’s an intentional time to acknowledge the foster and kinship care families who step in to care for children and a time to reflect on the vital role that CASA and GAL volunteers play in the lives of children and families as they navigate the complexities of the child welfare and court systems.

Every child deserves a safe, permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. Yet, for the children and youth in foster care across the United States, that journey can be filled with uncertainty. According to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS):

- Over 343,000 children are currently in foster care in the U.S.
- Over 20,000 youth age out of foster care each year without a permanent family.
- Over 70,000 children are in kinship care

CASA and GAL volunteers are trained and appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect. They are often the one consistent adult in a child’s life during a time of disruption. These advocates listen, learn, and speak up to ensure that each child’s voice is heard in court and that their needs are not overlooked.

Each National Foster Care Month, we celebrate not only the children and youth who show incredible courage and resiliency, but also the advocates who walk beside them. CASA/GAL volunteers come from all walks of life, united by a shared belief that every child deserves to be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.

We honor the thousands of CASA and GAL volunteers who give their time, energy, and hearts to this mission and service. Their dedication helps children find stability, access services, stay connected to family and culture, and ultimately, find a path to a brighter future.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to foster families and kinship caregivers who open their hearts and homes to children in need. These families are essential partners in the child welfare system, and their compassion and commitment make a lasting difference in the lives of children. Kinship care is when children are placed with relatives or close family friends. These caregivers offer a sense of belonging and can be especially powerful in helping maintain cultural identity, family connections, and emotional continuity.

If you've read this far and you want to make a difference in the life of a child reach out. Send us a message here or reach out via email to [email protected].

source:
https://nationalcasagal.org/may-is-national-foster-care-month/

Join us as welcome spring showered in flowers!

FLOWER FUNDRAISER GOING STRONG!

www.accordny.com/flower-fundraiser/

Preorder your spring flowers, herbs and veggies starts through ACCORD, and help support ACCORD's mission of peaceful dispute resolution in Broome & Tioga counties! Every flower counts!

Thank you and congratulations to JoAnne Civiletto, our newest CASA advocate to be sworn-in!

for Children/CASA

We’re excited to kick off our March Calendar Fundraiser, and we’d love for you to participate!

Getting involved is simple. Ask your friends, family members, and co-workers to sponsor a date on the March calendar (see the picture below) by donating the dollar amount that matches that date (for example, $5 for March 5th, $20 for March 20th, etc.).

You will be helping JoAnne - the CASA Supervisor - fill my calendar. So please message JoAnne Civiletto to snag the date you want, before it is gone.

* Donations can be submitted via cash, check, PayPal, or credit card whatever is most convenient.

Thank you for supporting ACCORD and helping us kick off Absorbent Minds!!

Each month our CASA volunteer's meet and at this month's meeting we learned about Hillside Family of Agencies - local Southern Tier Permanency Resource Center. Thank you LaShara Mack for your time and all of the great information!

Permanency Resource Center - Hillside Permanency Resource Centers Download a PDF of this webpage Hillside’s Permanency Resource Centers (PRCs) provide intensive support services to adoptive, legal guardianship and kinship families. These services are designed to help support youth permanency in the family home by offering parents and ...

Last month the ACCORD, A Center for Dispute Resolution, Inc. CASA staff & volunteers learned more about this outstanding community resource! Thank you McSorley, LMSW for sharing what you and your ACES Program team offers in our communities. Do you know someone who needs help with a traumatic experience? Have them reach out!!!

https://www.guthrie.org/services-treatments/advanced-care-traumatic-experiences

Did you know that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month? What can you plan to do in April that will raise awareness?

This annual community outreach event is coming up fast! Do you know someone who might need it?

What an amazing 16th Annual Free Dental Care Day we had at our Lalor Family Dental Vestal office!! We are proud to have seen a record number of patients. We saw 300 patients! It was an incredible day. Thank you to all our volunteers and vendors who helped make this day possible! 💙