CASA of the Pikes Peak Region - Court Appointed Special Advocates

Stir Coffee & Cocktails 6th Anniversary benefiting CASA
2023-08-20 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Denver)
Stir Coffee and Cocktails is celebrating their 6th anniversary.
Bon Center 2330 North Wahsatch Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Yard Games
Best Car Show in the Old North End
Silent Auction to raise money for CASA Pikes Peak Region
Food and Drinks

Trusted Adults - LGBTQIA2+
2023-08-15 14:30 - 16:00
Trusted Adults -LBGTQIA2+ Presented by Inside Out Youth Services
Join us in the CASA Training Room for this informative training on conversations to support LBGTQIA2+ young people.
RSVP to Kristeen O’Donnell kristeeno@casappr.org
**Please enter and exit through the front door**

Court Report Writing
2023-08-10 17:00 - 19:30
Thursday August 10, 2023
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Sponsors: Jillian Wiker and Tara Loo
Description: Writing your court report can be a stressful part of the advocacy role. We will go through each section of the report and go over common mistakes made during the writing process. We will go over strategies to keep bias out of your writing and give ideas of how to properly get your points across to best serve the child/ren.
RSVP to Lisa Pecoraro at lisap@casappr.org
***PLEASE ENTER THROUGH THE HANGER DOOR​​​​​***DO NOT FORGET TO LOG TRAINING HOURS INTO OPTIMA***

Annual CASA Volunteer Appreciation Event
2023-08-07 17:30 - 19:30
We are so incredibly grateful for the wonderful work our volunteers do in this community. You are on the front line, delivering on our mission, with commitment and determination, each and every day! Come join us on Monday, 08/07/2023, as we celebrate YOU!
Based on the feedback we received from the Volunteer Survey this Spring, we have crafted this event around your responses:

Instead of hosting two large volunteer events, we are going to focus on one each year. This is the one to come to! We hope to see you there!
We have selected an upscale, beautiful venue that we hope communicates how much we value our volunteers.
We will be serving heavy appetizers, and a cash bar will be available.
We will enjoy a presentation that includes Executive Director Angela Rose, CASA staff members, your fellow volunteers, and one of our Judges.
You are welcome to bring a “plus one!” (Adult guests only, please.)

This event is for volunteers in every CASA program: Dependency & Neglect, Supervised Exchange & Parenting Time, Life Long Links, The Hanger, Milton Foster Children’s Fund, Children & Families in Transition, and office volunteers.
DATE: Monday, 08/07/2023
TIME: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
LOCATION: The Pinery at the Hill (775 W Bijou St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80905)
RSVP: By Thursday, 07/27/2023 to Crystal Klausmeier crystalk@casappr.org

Teen Back-to-School Party
2023-07-29 12:00 - 15:00
Saturday, July 29, 12-3pm at The Hanger
Teens can pick out new backpacks, school supplies, clothes, shoes, and more for the school year, enjoy treats, and learn about local resources. The Hanger only carries cloths and accessories in adult sizes and is open to teens with an open D&N case in El Paso or Teller Counties.

Shop Back-to-School in the Kid's Closet!
2023-07-24 08:00 - 2023-07-28 17:00
CASAs can pick out new backpacks, school supplies, and clothes for the youth on their case. Please come prepared with the youth’s school supply list, sizes, and favorite colors/interests. The Kid’s Closet only carries youth sizes and CASAs are the only shoppers allowed.
July 24th-July 28th from 8-5 each day.

Trauma Informed Care and Cultural Sensitivity Training
2023-07-19 13:00 - 14:30
Presented by Kingdom Builders Family Center
Join us in the CASA Training Room for this informative training on handling domestic violence situations with trauma informed approaches and cultural sensitivity.
RSVP to Kristeen O’Donnell kristeeno@casappr.org
**Please enter and exit through the front door**

Helping Children Thrive
2023-07-08 08:30 - 11:30
Saturday July 8, 2023 @ 8:30 am – 11:30 am
8:30 am – 11:30 am
CASA Training Room
Sponsor: Lisa Pecoraro
Presenter: Robert (Bob) Sallee
Research-based findings on strategies and resources for CASA volunteers, staff, Board members, and others seeking tools to help children reach their full potential. Three hours.
This class examines what children need to reach their potential from three perspectives: their interests and how these are nurtured (Sparks); assets to draw upon as they grow (Developmental Assets); and how children experience unconditional love (The Five Love Languages of Children). We’ll look at research findings from studies of three million kids, draw from writings of child/family psychology professionals, and share relevant life experiences. We’ll also look at Matthew Kelly’s writings on “becoming the best version of yourself” and Zimmy Zimberg’s “All Kids Need – A to Z.”
This class will provide insights and resources for anyone wanting to help children thrive, regardless of age, whether they are struggling or doing okay. Findings are presented with handouts that can be referred to and shared.
Bob has several years of experience with CASA of the Pikes Peak Region as a D&N court appointed special advocate (CASA) for children in out-of-home placement due to abuse or neglect, and as a peer coordinator for other CASA volunteers. He and his wife were foster parents for a niece with juvenile diabetes through the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children. Bob is currently a team member with Fostering Hope

Human Trafficking 201 for CASAs
2023-06-28 11:30 - 13:00
Date & Time June 28, 2023 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Mountain Time
Description: The purpose of the 201 session is to give CASAs an opportunity to go beyond definition and dive into the crime of human trafficking on a more personal level. The 201 will explore pushes and pulls from an individual standpoint, and community standpoint, and a societal standpoint. The 201 will begin to explore the power and control dynamics of a human trafficking situation as well as the definition and complications of trauma bonds. It incorporates pieces from iEmpathize, and introduces empathy as path away from human trafficking.
June 28: Human Trafficking 201 for CASAs (11:30am, virtual) Register here.

Diversity University
2023-06-26 08:00 - 2023-06-30 17:00
Diversity University Registration for the 2023 Session is now open!
June 26 – June 30, 2023
The purpose of Diversity University is to improve the ability of professionals and the community to respond to the needs of a culturally diverse population. Diversity University is designed to help individuals examine their biases and leverage their power to address the issues that confront our society.
Program Dates: June 26 – June 30, 2023
Register Here: https://form.jotform.com/223485480917060

Human Trafficking 101 for CASAs
2023-06-14 11:30 - 13:00
Date & Time June 14, 2023 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM Mountain Time
Description: The purpose of the 101 session is to give CASAs an overview of human trafficking and how it intersects with their work as CASAs. The curriculum will go over the definition of human trafficking and the laws that govern human trafficking as well as the intersection with child welfare. CASAs will learn an overview of this form of abuse and how it shows up in Colorado (including rural and urban settings). CASAs will get a general understanding of the child welfare response to this crime and protocol and response recommendations.
June 14: Human Trafficking 101 for CASAs (11:30am, virtual) Register here.

Understanding Substance Use Disorder and Addiction
2023-06-07 17:30 - 19:00
June 7 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Wednesday June 07, 2023
5:30 PM -7:00 PM
CASA Training Room
Sponsor: Terry Dickman
Presenter: Alan Cook
Description: Substance abuse knows no age, gender, regional or income bounds, and addiction is not a character flaw. Alan Cook is a community professional in the field, and has been a favorite, engaging, and annual presenter at CASA on this topic.
RSVP to Lisa Pecoraro at lisap@casappr.org
***PLEASE ENTER THROUGH THE HANGER DOOR​​​​​***DO NOT FORGET TO LOG TRAINING HOURS INTO OPT

Teller County Volunteer Information Session
2023-05-24 18:00 - 19:30 | Peak BBQ, 1139 US-24, Woodland Park, 80863
Join CASA at Peak BBQ in Woodland Park on May 24th from 6-7:30 to learn about how YOU can get involved as a Supervised Exchange & Parenting Time (SEPT) volunteer in Teller County.
The event will be held in the bar room and every participant will receive a drink coupon which can be redeemed for a beer, wine, or soft drink. Food will also be available for purchase at your expense.
Learn more about the role of the SEPT volunteer here. This information hour will also cover other volunteer opportunities available in Teller County.
Please RSVP using the form below.

RSVP to Volunteer Orientation

URLThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Your Name*What county in Colorado do you live in?El PasoTellerOtherWhich Orientation do you want to attend?*CHOOSE ONE OF THESEOrientation at CASA on May 5Coffee with CASA on May 14th at Loyal CoffeeVirtual Orientation on May 16Orientation at CASA on May 19Coffee with CASA on June 17 in Woodland Park"Dudes & Brews" on June 25Please list names of any guests who will attend with you.Your Email*

Phone NumberHow did you hear about this orientation?*Networking Event or GroupPrint NewspaperI saw an ad somewhere on the internetI got a postcard in the mailI got on emailStreaming Audio (like Pandora or Apple Podcasts)Streaming Video (like YouTube or Netflix)Local TV News SegmentLocal Radio Station (not KRCC/NPR)KRCC/NPRNational CASA WebsiteColorado CASA WebsiteSocial MediaPersonal ReferralPreviously served as a CASAIdealist

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DEI Training LGBTQ+ Youth in Care
2023-05-18 12:00 - 13:30
Thursday May 18, 2023
Time 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Sponsor: Michael Maestas
Guest Speaker: Theo Isoz; they, them, theirs; CoSHI Training Specialist
Description: Colorado Institute for Sexual Health will be facilitating a training and discussion regarding LGBTQ+ in Care. Topics will be:
Intro to the difference between gender and sexuality
Responding to correction when we get things wrong / effectively challenging microaggressions
Gender-affirming care towards congruence (how some will choose to bring their social/medical experiences into alignment with their gender identity)
Rights and best practices for supporting gender-expansive youth involved in state systems

RSVP to Lisa Pecoraro at lisap@casappr.org
***PLEASE ENTER THROUGH THE HANGER DOOR​​​​​***DO NOT FORGET TO LOG TRAINING HOURS INTO OPTIMA***

Infant Mental Health
2023-05-17 17:00 - 18:30
Infant Mental Health
Wednesday May 17, 2023
Time 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM VIRTUAL. Link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqdO-hrzMuE9foGi3OEASHWguBM_yqC02S
Sponsor: Jackie De’Anda
Presenter: Michelle Roy, PhD
Description: This training provides an overview of infant and early childhood mental health, the importance of relationships during the child’s early life-stages, the impacts of trauma on development, and discusses how CASA advocates support and advocate mental health through the infant and early childhood stages.
RSVP to Lisa Pecoraro at lisap@casappr.org
​​​​​***DO NOT FORGET TO LOG TRAINING HOURS INTO OPTIMA***

Young Adult Job Fair
2023-05-10 12:00 - 16:00
For the teens on your cases, check out this job fair! More info here: https://ppwfc.org/young-adult-job-fair/

CASA's Charity Pint Night at Cerberus Brewing Company
2023-05-02 16:00 - 19:00 | Seven’s Gate Tap Room, 77 S. 7th St., Colorado Springs, CO, United States
CASA’s Charity Pint Night at Cerberus Brewing Company – Seven’s Gate Tap Room
77 S. 7th St. Colorado Springs, CO – Directly across the street from Cerberus
Tuesday May 2, 2023
4pm to 7pm
$1 from every drink sold will be donated back to CASA!

Fostering Futures
2023-04-22 08:30 - 16:30
Saturday April 22 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
CASA Training Room
Sponsors: Brittany Santos and Jillian Wiker
Description: Fostering Futures is meant to address the unique needs of older youth to include, but not limited to: emancipation resources, how to engage with your youth(s), how to navigate the role of mentor and advocate, goal setting, and many other topics. We often get great feedback from attendees from this class and feel it adds many invaluable tools to your Youth Advocacy toolkit.
Class will run in-person at the CASA office from 8:30-4:30PM. Individual breakfast tacos will be provided by CASA along with pre-packaged snacks and drinks. An hour-long lunch break from 12:00-1:00PM is also slated into the schedule where you will be able to go out and eat or provide your own lunch. Please RSVP if you plan to attend so we can plan for food accordingly.
RSVP to Lisa Pecoraro at lisap@casappr.org

***PLEASE ENTER THROUGH THE HANGER DOOR​​​​​***DO NOT FORGET TO LOG TRAINING HOURS INTO OPTIMA***

2023 Light of Hope Fundraising Lunch
2023-04-19 12:30 - 13:30 | Doubletree Hotel, 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Join CASA for a new format and new venue at this year’s Light of Hope! There is only a lunch this year, so no need to get up early! Just join us at noon!

National Volunteer Week
2023-04-17 08:00 - 2023-04-21 16:00 | CASA of the Pikes Peak Region, 418 South Weber St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
We love our volunteers, and we want to celebrate you! We will be hosting an open house at CASA each day of National Volunteer Week.
Come stop by for some social time, snacks, and daily prize winners. Mark your calendar, and we would love to see you here! No RSVP required.
• Monday, 04/17 (10:00am – 12:00pm)
• Tuesday, 04/18 (3:00pm – 5:00pm)
• Wednesday, 04/19 (8:30am – 10:30am)
• Thursday, 04/20 (11:00am – 1:00pm)
• Friday, 04/21 (2:00pm – 4:00pm)

CASA Bunny Shop
2023-03-20 08:00 - 2023-03-24 17:00
Advocates may come in to pick up pajamas, a book, a blanket, a stuffed animal, and more. Be sure to have the sizes and favorite colors/likes for the youth on your case.

Court Report Writing
2023-03-14 17:30 - 19:30
Court Report Writing
Tuesday March 14, 2023
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Sponsors: Jackie DeAnda and Kristina Wrobleski
Description:
Writing your court report can be a stressful part of the advocacy role. We will go through each section of the report and go over common mistakes made during the writing process. We will go over strategies in order to keep bias out of your writing and give ideas of how to properly get your points across in order to best serve the child/ren.
RSVP to Lisa Pecoraro at lisap@casappr.org
***PLEASE ENTER THROUGH THE HANGER DOOR​​​​​***DO NOT FORGET TO LOG TRAINING HOURS INTO OPTIMA***

Ins & Outs of Foster Care
2023-02-23 12:00 - 13:30
Ins & Outs of Foster Care
Date: February 23, 2023
Time: Noon – 1:30pm
Location: CASA Training Room
Description: Please join us for a panel discussion regarding the various levels of out of home placement in foster care with staff from Kids Crossing. Staff will be able to answer any of your burning questions about their side of the placement process, out of home care, Qualified Residential Treatment Placements (QRTP) from their lens, and more. Questions will be general and not case-specific for this panel discussion. RSVP to LisaP@casappr.org

Annual CASA-Wide Volunteer Impact Event
2023-02-06 18:00 - 19:30 | Pulpit Rock Church, 301 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO, 80918, United States
Come join us on Monday, 02/06/2023, as we enjoy some delicious dessert and hear from Executive Director Angela Rose as she shares the impact CASA has had in the community over the last year. Let’s celebrate the accomplishments of this organization! YOU are making an impact!

This event is for volunteers in every CASA program: Dependency & Neglect, Supervised Exchange & Parenting Time, Life Long Links, The Hanger, Milton Foster Children’s Fund, Children & Families in Transition, and office volunteers.

Bring a “plus one!” (Adult guests only, please.)

DATE: Monday, 02/06/2023
TIME: 6:00pm – 7:30pm
LOCATION: Pulpit Rock Church at 301 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, 80918
RSVP: By Sunday, 01/29/2023 to Lisa Pecoraro at lisap@casappr.org

RPC Panel (Respondent Parent Counsel)
2022-12-15 16:30 - 18:00
This event is at capacity. No more RSVPs.
Thursday December 15, 2022
4:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Sponsor: Lois Gracz
Guest presenters: Various respondent parent attorneys
Description
Join Lois Graz DNS and Respondent Parent Counsel attorneys for a discussion on what CASAs could be doing to be helpful to their clients and what is NOT helpful.
RSVP to Lisa Pecoraro at lisap@casappr.org
***PLEASE ENTER THROUGH THE HANGER DOOR​​​​​***

2022 Santa's Shop
2022-12-12 11:00 - 2022-12-13 17:00
Monday, December 12th, from 11am to 7pm and Tuesday, December 13th from 8am to 5pm at the CASA office
Santa’s Shop is open to CASAs to select toys, books, and more for the youth on their cases (who are not yet big enough to shop at The Hanger, which has its own holiday event). If you are unable to make these times, please either contact your Case Supervisor or email Karen at hilborn@centurylink.net with what sizes, colors, toys, interests, age, etc. so volunteer shoppers can pick out the best items for your youth. The more information and details, the better!

BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse)
2022-12-07 12:00 - 13:30
BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse)
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
12:00 PM-1:30 PM
Sponsor: Brittany Santos
Guest presenters: BACA
Description
Please join CASA for a presentation from BACA (Bikers Against Child Abuse) as they discuss how they support abused children in our community.
Learn how we can partner with each other to combat child abuse.
RSVP to Lisa Pecoraro at lisap@casappr.org
***PLEASE ENTER THROUGH THE HANGER DOOR***

Human Trafficking for CASAs 201
2022-11-30 12:00 - 13:30
Human Trafficking 201 for CASAs
Time: Nov 30, 2022 12:00 PM in Mountain Time (US and Canada)
VIRTUAL LIVE. Register with the link below.
Description
The purpose of the 201 session is to give CASAs an opportunity to go beyond definition and dive into the crime of human trafficking on a more personal level. The 201 will explore pushes and pulls from an individual standpoint, and community standpoint, and a societal standpoint. The 201 will begin to explore the power and control dynamics of a human trafficking situation as well as the definition and complications of trauma bonds. It incorporates pieces from iEmpathize, and introduces empathy as path away from human trafficking.
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrcuGupj8vHNfOtoHuD9gWijU7jRig5ZhR

Fostering Futures
2022-11-19 08:30 - 16:30
FOSTERING FUTURES
Saturday November 19, 2022
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Sponsors: Brittany Santos and Jillian Wilker
Description
Fostering Futures is meant to address the unique needs of older youth to include, but not limited to emancipation resources, how to engage with your youth(s), how to navigate the role of mentor and advocate, goal setting, and many other topics. We often get great feedback from attendees from this class and feel it adds many invaluable tools to your Youth Advocacy toolkit.

Class will run in-person at the CASA office from 8:30-4:30PM. Individual breakfast tacos will be provided by CASA along with pre-packaged snacks and drinks.
An hour-long lunch break from 12:00-1:00PM is also slated into the schedule where you will be able to go out and eat or provide your own lunch.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend so we can plan for food accordingly. This class will be held again in April 2023.
RSVP to Lisa Pecoraro at lisap@casappr.org
***PLEASE ENTER THROUGH THE HANGER DOOR​​​​​***

Minority Youth Overrepresentation in the 4th Judicial District
2022-11-04 12:00 - 13:00
Friday, November 4th

12pm start time
CASA Training Room (418 S. Weber St.)
Please join Peer Coordinator, Barry Johnson-Fay, and D&N Program Manager, Brittany Santos, as they present on Minority Youth Overrepresentation in the 4th Judicial District. In this presentation, we will learn about the challenges our systems face in this area and steps the Equity Taskforce to Address Minority Overrepresentation (formerly MOR Committee) are taking to combat this issue. Participants will walk away with ideas on how to address their own biases, how they can reshape their advocacy, and identify ways to join in efforts to mitigate overrepresentation of minority populations in our systems to give them better outcomes. This presentation is open to judicial officers, attorneys, judicial stakeholders, CASA board members, CASA staff, and CASA volunteers.
