What`s Inside - Child Advocacy Services

May 2013
How Sad is Too Sad: When to get help for your child
Many people don’t like to think about depression or mental illness in general. Even though it affects so many of us, even children, we put the thoughts of such a horrible condition aside, thinking
that we are immune and our children are immune.
“Childhood Depression is a potentially fatal illness that must be taken seriously. Depression is a
very big issue and it costs lives. I’ve seen it,” said child psychiatrist Donna B. Fargason, MD, of
Family Focus. A child is never too young to experience a depressive episode. “There is no age cutoff for depression. Children as young as preschool and, in some cases, toddlers can be depressed,”
explained Bryan J. Gros, PhD., Director of the Psychology Department at Capital Area Human
Services District.
There are two types of depression, reactive and endogenous, which is more of a biological depression. Unfortunately, both conditions can affect young people. Certain children are predisposed to
[depression], especially if there is a family history of mental illness; so staying connected to them
and attuned to their fluctuations in mood is extremely important.
Too Sad
1 The Symptoms
CAC Cares
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Fargason pointed out that depressed kids may exhibit a change in personality or avoid friends or
I am for the Child
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activities that they typically enjoy. Sometimes the symptoms of ADHD and anxiety can overlap
In-Service Opportunities
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with the symptoms of depression, but any changes in behavior and alarming symptoms warrant
CAS Calendar
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some investigation. Parents should take self-destructive behaviors—such as cutting, substance use,
Blue Run Pictures
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eating disorders and expressed hopelessness about the future—seriously.
Blue Run Thanks
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Treatment
Don’t hesitate to turn to treatment because medical attention is vital when you want the best outcome. Treatment is a far better option than ignoring the problem, causing your child more discomfort. “Pediatricians are a good first stop for evaluations of relatively stable children. They will often
be able to do assessments in a timely way and refer the child to an appropriate mental health care
provider,” said Fargason.
“The typical course of treatment in young children involves therapy.[…] in serious cases, medication may be recommended,” says Gros. “When you treat a current episode of depression, it decreases the likelihood of depression in the future. […] Early identification and treatment are cruGonzales Regional
cial,” Gros said.
Office
Parent Protocol
P.O. Box 1568
If you’re dealing with a depressed child, be proactive. Talk to your child, ask questions, and make
Gonzales, LA 70737
room for quality time. Spend plenty of time with your child and utilize active listening.
Phone: (225) 647-2005 School Ties
Fax: (225) 647-2009
There are times when it is best to inform the school that your child is battling depression. You’ll
want to make sure that he is afforded with a quality educational experience and the school can help
you with that. “…Letting the school know allows them the opportunity to work with the child and
Napoleonville
family to help the child succeed and improve,” said Fargason. Additionally, Baton Rouge Clinic’s
Regional Office
Jennifer Guidroz, MD, FAAP adds, “Your child’s teacher can help you and be an advocate for
P.O. Box 751
your child. Your child is at school eight hours a day, so the teacher may notice things that you
Napoleonville, LA 70390 don’t.”
Phone: (985) 369-2502 There’s Hope
Fax: (985) 369-2510
When your child is depressed, you may feel anguish because your child is suffering and this is completely normal. The good news is that there is a remedy for childhood depression and with proper
treatment and family support, good days are certainly ahead.
What’s Inside
www.childadv.net
*modified article. For full article, please see Baton Rouge Parents Magazine, April 2013 edition
CAC Cares
Write us your questions or concerns with the emotional
aspects of volunteering and get the counseling perspective.
Dear CAC Cares,
The summer is fast approaching and I am concerned about my CASA child turning to television, video
and computer games for entertainment instead of being active. I know for sure he isn’t going to summer
camp so what can I do to make sure our visits throughout the summer are active and fun? Can I suggest
activities for him to do when we aren’t visiting?
Sincerely,
Active Summer
Dear Active Summer,
We all know you don’t mess with kids and their summer vacation!! They want to rest and relax and entertain
themselves in front of the television or play the newest video game that comes out. There are many things that you
and your CASA child can do during your summer visits to make sure he is active. Have your next visit at a local
park and create fun outdoor activities for you both to complete. See who can reach the park bench first or make a
park scavenger hunt and have your CASA child find butterflies, insects, birds, or plants and check them off the list.
If the foster family or biological family is involved in those visits, make it a family affair and have them search for
the items as well.
You can also extend the activities to when your CASA kid is away from you. According to letsmove.gov, healthy
kids and adults need at least 60 minutes of activity a day. Why don’t you create a list of tasks (i.e. riding a bike,
walking around the block with his siblings, playing catch with a friend, etc) that he can do and have his caregiver
check off on those activities each day. The next time you meet, you can measure his progress and give positive reinforcement to what he has accomplished. Activities such as these will help your CASA child do more than play
video games for the next 2 ½ months.
Sincerely,
CAC Cares
To submit a question to ‘CAC Cares’ drop it off at the Gonzales office location or email it to
ttoliver@childadv.net.
Buttons
for Bravery
When a child completes a forensic interview, they are asked to pick
out 2 buttons from our button collection. They are allowed to take
a button home with them to remind them of their bravery and the
other is placed in a community jar to let other children know that
they are not alone and there are other children who were asked to
be brave as well. There were 43 interviews competed in the first
quarter of 2013.
We are in need of buttons. If you would like to donate buttons for
bravery, please drop them off at our Gonzales office. We appreciate your
support and assistance.
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Child Advocate
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Child Advocacy Services’ Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program would like
to recognize St. James Parish CASA volunteer, Jeanne Summerour. Jeanne completed her volunteer training and was sworn in as a CASA on December 13, 2012.
Jeanne was born in Washington D.C., but frequently moved around because her father was
in the military. Jeanne has lived in various places, such as Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Hawaii,
Kansas, Georgia, and Germany. While in Georgia, Jeanne served as a mentor through Dawson
County Mentoring Program. Jeanne also met her husband in Georgia and they have been together 33 years. In 2008, Jeanne and her husband moved to Louisiana so she could be closer to
her grandbabies.
Jeanne really missed volunteering for the mentoring program, so she tried to find the same
program in Louisiana but could not find it. Then in October, Jeanne attended the Art on the
Bayou Festival where she met CASA Recruiter Krisy McAdams and CASA Supervisors Beth
Bourgeois and Rachel Hester. After hearing about the CASA program, Jeanne became very
interested and decided she wanted to become a CASA volunteer. Through the training and with
the support of having a classmate to journey with her, Jeanne said she became more aware of
the need to serve children in the local parishes and felt that this was the right fit for her.
Jeanne is currently serving on her first case and says it’s going well. She says the case manager is fabulous and her CASA children are very bright. She sees the potential and possibilities
for her CASA children’s futures and is working towards permanent placement with their grandmother. With determination and persistence, Jeanne Summerour is advocating for her CASA
children to get the services they need, such as counseling and anger management counseling.
Lift up a child's voice.
A child's life.
Jeanne says “I enjoy being a CASA volunteer because I have learned a tremendous amount
about the social system and I truly feel that I am making a difference in my CASA children’s
lives.” When asked what she would say to someone thinking about becoming a CASA, Jeanne
said, “Although there are obstacles in the system, every child deserves a chance. If you are in a
position to volunteer and can make the commitment, then do it.”
Making a Difference
Thanks to the support of our volunteers, partners, and community sponsors, Child Advocacy Services’
CASA Program provided 78 children with a committed and dedicated CASA volunteer in the 23rd
Judicial District Court (JDC) including Ascension, Assumption,
and St. James Parishes.
In April 2013:
41 CASA volunteers served children on a case.
CASA volunteers in the 23rd JDC spent over 244 hours and drove over 2780 miles to serve
children in foster care.
Since January 2013, CASA volunteers & staff have appeared in court 87 times to advocate for
children in foster care.
We have children waiting for a CASA in Ruston, LaPlace, LaRose, Thibodaux, Port Allen, Houma, Patterson, Cut Off, and Lafayette. Call the office today if you are interested in being their voice.
Excellent Work!
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Child Advocate
In-Service Training Opportunities
Supporting Youth in Transition: Importance of Caseworker Visits
This free webinar is brought to you by the Children’s Bureau, National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections (NRCPFC), and National Resource Center for Youth Development (NRCYD) as part of National Foster Care Month.
It will provide information about the importance of quality caseworker visits as a tool for supporting youth in foster care during times of transition. Gail Collins, Director of the Children’s Bureau’s Division of Program Implementation, and Sylvia
Kim, Child Welfare Program Specialist, Children’s Bureau, will provide a foundational overview of the importance of caseworker visits, discussing information on caseworker visit requirements based in Federal policy, as well as sharing available
data on caseworker visits. This will include an overview of caseworker data trends, CFSR caseworker visit findings and implications, and select State strategies for making improvements in caseworker visits. Presenters from the YATTA (Young Adult
Training and Technical Assistance) Network and NRCYD will outline concrete ways that caseworker visits can be an effective tool for supporting youth in transition, provide practice tips, and share information about how caseworkers can establish
a positive relationship with youth in care. The NRCYD presentation will include information about the development, implementation, and utilization of the “Preparing for Caseworker Visits Monthly Individual Contact Form and FAQs”. The webinar will close with a brief question and answer session. (Questions will be submitted via online chat.)
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Time: 2:00-2:30 PM
For more information and to register online, please visit:
http://www.nrcpfc.org/teleconferences/2013-05-07.html
The Nuts and Bolts of Special Education
Parents of children with disabilities will learn how to become more active participants in their
children's education. This session will include information on evaluations, record keeping, Planning and Placement Team (PPT) meetings, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), Section
504 and dispute resolution.
Guest Presenter: Ron Lospennato, Louisiana Advocacy Center
Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Section 504 & IDEA What's the Difference
Have you ever wondered which law applies to your child - the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act? Would you like to be more clear about
the differences and similarities between the two laws? This workshop provides participants with a
brief overview of both laws, focusing on the purposes and eligibility requirements for each.
Presenter: Shanida Mathieu
Please register here to receive a confirmation email containing information about joining
the webinar: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/t7hlotuzv197
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Time: 11:30AM-12:30PM
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Child Advocate
**Don’t forget National CASA requires that you
meet with your CASA child(ren) and supervisor
monthly**
**Tracking forms are due on the 25th of each month
CAS Brag Corner
Hand claps to Audrey Alexander for persevering through
obstacles to provide voice and stability for her CASA
children.
Congratulations to Tina Kolb and Drew Cook for accepting their first cases as CASA volunteers.
Standing ovation to Debbie Elkins for effectively advocating for her CASA children for 5 years.
Thanks to Gary Miller for taking photographs at the Blue
Run and for remaining so committed to CAS.
Much appreciation to Jody Delatte, Cynthia Pleasant, and
Beverly Weselak for going above and beyond to advocate
for the needs of their CASA children.
Congratulations to Cynthia Pleasant for accepting her
fifth CASA case!!!
Much appreciation to Amy Gilleo and her daughter for
face painting beautiful faces at the Blue Run.
Thanks to Gloria Gray for her work as a CASA advocate
for her CASA children.
Thanks to all the CASA volunteers who participated in
Blue Run 2013.
Cynthia P.
Rachelle C.
Jody B.
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May 20th
May 28th
May 30th
Schedule of Events:
May 7: Assumption Parish Court in Napoleonville with Judge Leblanc @ 9 am
for Kim K. and Gary M.
May 9: Ascension Parish Court with
Judge Lambert @ 11 am for Kristie V.,
Amy Grassman, Jody B., Janet T. and
Sandi G.; Ascension District Court with
Judge Holdridge for Melinda R., Beverly
W., Paula B., Pat G., Debbie E. and Jody
D.
May 10: Ascension District Court with
Judge Turner @ 9:30am for Debbie E.
and Audrey A.
May 13: Court report due for Erin M.
and Kerya D.
May 17: CASA Team out for CASA
Team meeting in Hammond
May 24: TRACKING FORMS DUE;
Court report due for Sebrena C.
May 27: Memorial Day– Office Closed
May 28: Ascension District Court with
Judge Tureau in Donaldsonville @ 9 am
for Erin M. and Kerya D.
June 4: Court report due for Drew C.
June 10: Court report due for Linda L.
June 10-27: New CASA Volunteer Training
June 11: St. John District Court in
Edgard with Judge Jasmine @ 10 am for
Sebrena C.
Kim K.
1 yr.
Child Advocate
Blue Run 2013
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Child Advocate
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Child Advocate
Special thanks to the following partners who provided support and assistance for the
Blue Run 2013:
Advisory Committee Members: Jada Mayon, Tiffany Murphy, Jan Heath, Faye Williams
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Gonzales Weekly Citizen
Lamendola's
Braud Company
96.1 The River
23rd JD Bar Association
St. Elizabeth’s Hospital
Fleet Feet
225 Inflatables & Party Rentals
Tiger Audio
Casa Maria Mexican Grill
Serendipity Boutique LLC
Lavender Salon and Spa
LeBlanc’s Payless Food Store
Super Music
Dutchtown Animal Hospital
Premier Lanes Bowling Ally
Pelican Point Golf Club
Century 21—Reba Brannon
KidStuff Magazine
Smith Chiropractic Clinic
Knights of Columbus of St. Amant
Gonzales Police Department
Gonzales City Hall
Benny’s Car Wash-Gonzales
Gonzales Fire Department
Coca Cola
Junior Knights of Columbus
Smoothie King
APSO Juvenile Detectives
Eatel
Luba
State Farm– Adam McCarthy
Gary Miller
Amy Gilleo
Firehouse Silk Screening
Cathryn Hackney
Jeremy Michaels Productions
Brew-Bacher’s
The Creole
Ascension Tourism
Next Level Performance– Mike Babin
Red Carpet Salon
Child Advocate
Gonzales Regional Office
P.O Box 1568
Gonzales, LA 70737
1026 E. Worthey Rd. Suite C
Gonzales, La. 70707
Napoleonville Regional Office
P.O Box 751
Napoleonville, LA 70390
4751 Hwy 1
Napoleonville, LA 70390
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Child-Advocacy-ServicesCASA/270684654573