THE CASA CONNE CTION - 7th Judicial Circuit Court of Missouri

Newsletter for the Clay County Court-Appointed Special AdvocatesTHE CASA CONNECTIONVolume 2, Issue 2May-June 2008CLAY COUNTY CASA25TH ANNIVERSARYOn April 3, 2008 theFriends of Clay CountyCASA held a 25th Anniversarycelebrationat the Heritage Hall inLiberty, Missouri tohonor volunteers fortheir years of serviceto the children of ClayCounty. Judge Welshand Judge Davis werepresent and spokebriefly about theCASA Program in ClayCounty and the greatvolunteers, who makeup the program. JudgeDavis presented aplaque to each volunteerin attendance.The plaques commemoratedthe hard work,dedication and countlessvolunteer hoursutilized to befriendthe children of ClayCounty and ensuretheir safety andwell-being. Janet Rogersspoke about the importanceof the CASA Programand, specificallythe volunteers. Withoutyou there would be noprogram!Three foster children,Scott, Stella & Michelle,were present for a paneldiscussion about thepositive experience theyhave had with their respectiveCASA volunteer.Present to receive aplaque were: Ed Bianchina,Curtis Blanc, JessicaBlanton, Peg Bradley,Wendi Bridges, JimCleaveland, Suzan Corcione,Lynn Driggers, JoyElliott, Sharon Fletcher,Julie Graves, BethGrelinger, Pam Hamerle,Jennine Jones, MaryLibeer, Gerry Luke,Christie Mullin, JackieMurtha, Theresa Odneal,Mike Oiler, DebbiePickett, Jackie Rapp, KrisRoberts, Joletta Rose,Richard Sayles, LauraSchmidt, Nicole Seely,Mim Simpson, Sally Morgan-Smith,Suzie Smith,Paula Venhoff, and CharleneWalczak. This eventwas catered by MaryannPfieffer and Catered EleganceA special thank you goesout to Scott, Stella, Michelle,Judge Welsh,Judge Davis , Joy Elliott,Fond Memories EngravingCompany, and MaryannPfieffer and Catered Elegance.

Judge Davis takes overJuvenile Matters in Clay CountyBIRTHDAYSJanuary5 th Brandas Murphy7 th Kris Roberts17 th Wendi Bridges18 th Janet Nation31 st Pam Hamerle & Richard ValentaFebruary3 rd Joletta Rose18 th Mike Oiler28 th Joy ElliottMarch13 th Mary Goldammer25 th Joe Miller27 th Keri BrewerApril6 th Brock Farris7 th Bonnie Broughton15 th Leslie StricklandMay4th Karen Gibson & Mary Libeer18th Sharon Fletcher19th Laura Schmidt23rd Jackie Rapp24th Erica VenancioHappy Birthday to all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!On February 6, 2008, theHonorable Judge ElizabethDavis was sworn in as a CircuitJudge of the Clay CountyFamily Court. She filled thespot vacated by the HonorableJudge James Welsh whoaccepted a job with theWestern District Court ofAppeals in October 2007.Previously she was employed bythe Clay County Family Court asan Associate Judge.Congratulations Judge Davis!We look forward to working foryou and with the children ofClay County to ensure theirsafety and well-being.GRADUATION 2008The 2007-2008school year iscreeping to a closeand the followingCASA kids (or kidswho have had aCASA in the past)have graduatedfromhigh school: AmieGraham, KennyDenney, Jared Loney,Cameron Evans,Angela Watson,and JamesRutledge.Amie Grahamgraduated fromRuskin HighSchool. KennyDenny graduatedfrom KirksvilleHigh School. JaredLoney graduatedfrom BolivarHigh School.Cameron Evansgraduated fromLiberty HighSchool. AngelaWatson graduatedfrom WinnetonkaHigh School. JamesRutledge graduatedfrom LakeMary Centerin Paola, Kansas.Way to Go!!!!!!!!!Congratulations to allof them!MAY IS FOSTER CARE MONTHAccording to the NationalCASA website(NationalCASA.org.),Foster Care Monthoriginated in 1988through the effortsof the National FosterParent Association.The main focus ofthe early effortswas appreciationandrecognition of thetremendous contributionsof fosterparents nationwide.Today,Foster CareMonth is nationalorganizations workingto raise awarenessand remind us of thehundreds of in ourcountry thousands ofchildren who needloving families andsafe homes. For moreinformation go to theNational CASA website.

Clay County CASA Program351 E. KansasLiberty, MO. 64068Phone(816) 736-8400Fax(816) 736-8401E-mailJanet.Rogers@courts.mo.govCarole.Shost@courts.mo.govJudy.Althoff@courts.mo.govMim.Simpson@courts.mo.govMissouri Child Abuse andNeglect Hotline: (800)392-3738MAY ISNATIONALFOSTER CAREMONTH!!! GETINVOLVED!JUST A REMINDER… The next AFCC Lunch andLearn topic is Autism 101 andis set for Wednesday, June 4,2008 from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00P.M. at Sonnenschein, Nathand Rosenthal LLP, 4520 MainStreet, 9th Floor, American The Friends of CASA Boardmeets the third Thursday everyother month at 5:00 P.M. at theJuvenile Office. The next meetingis set for July 17, 2008.You are welcome to attendthese meetings.Century Towers , Kansas City, The 2008 Missouri CASA Conferenceis coming up in OctoberMO. Parking is available onthe side of the building. Bring2008. We will let you know theyour own lunch. Soda, waterdates as soon as we know theand coffee will be provided bydates!the Autism Alliance of GreaterKC. If you are interested inattending this free program,please call the CASA Office tolet us know you will be attending. Upcoming In-Service trainingis set for: Tuesday, June If you decide to donatemoney to the United Way, youcan designate it to go to ClayCounty CASA, and the moneywill come to us. If you have not already provideda copy of your valid17, 2008. The topic will be driver’s license and valid insuranceon IEP’s and 504 Plans, whatthey are, who qualifies forthose programs, why andcard, please either drop itoff, make a copy and mail it, oremail it to us.other basic information.Please remember the trainingstarts at 5:30 P.M. Don’t forget funds can be requestedfrom the Friends ofCASA Board if a child you areworking with needs something(i.e. cultural activities, swimmingfees, sports fees, graduationfees).Go to the websitefostercaremonth.org.to learn more.Clipart courtesy of www.mcpasd.k12.wi.us., www1:free-clipart.net, and www.freefever.com