Staff and Volunteers Attend National CASA Conference

The National CASA Conference provides a unique opportunity to join leading consultants, legal and social service professionals as well as representatives from the entire CASA/GAL network. Through education, training and networking opportunities, attendees discover new ideas and solutions to fortify us as we carry out our service to abused and neglected children.

The 2007 conference was held June 9-12 in Orlando, Florida. CASA of the Pikes Peak Region staff members including Trudy Strewler, Mittie Pedraza, Mary Stocco, and Gina James attended the event along with two lucky volunteers. Peggy Satterfield and Rochelle Edelman, both second-year advocates with CASA PPR, won all expense-paid trips when their names were drawn from a hat.

Staff members and volunteers returned from the conference feeling energized and inspired. Workshops of particular interest dealt with poverty, methamphetamine addiction and child abuse, de-escalating anger, parenting, and strategies for the recruitment of male volunteers.

Gina James, Dependency & Neglect Program Manager, was invited to speak at the conference and held a top-rated workshop on writing effective reports to the court. Gina’s workshop drew over 300 people and won raves from those who attended.

The 2008 National CASA Conference will be held June 7-10, 2008 in Washington, DC. For additional information visit http://www.casanet.org/conference/.