tennessee casa 2015 annual report

Tennessee CASA 2015

Annual Report

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Hello everyone,

Thank you all so much for taking the time out of your day to attend our Tennessee

CASA 2015 Annual Meeting.

You may be here because you support the CASA mission or maybe you’re here because

you support your local CASA program. Some of you may be here because you came to

support our awardees, Linda O’Neal & TCCY and Representative Charles Sargent.

Whatever your reason, we thank you for being here. It always brings us great joy to see

the diversity of our attendees because we know there is a common bond that brings all

of us together in this room… the children.

The Tennessee CASA Board of Directors has gone above and beyond this year to

develop a robust vision for CASA in the state of Tennessee. With a brand new Strategic

Plan in place, we are looking forward to the growth of the Tennessee CASA network in

the next three years. We plan to provide additional support to existing programs to

encourage their growth in the number of children they serve. We also plan to give

assistance to counties that want to develop a CASA program in their community. With

28 programs, serving 47 counties, and 16 additional counties expressing interest in

CASA, our next year’s work is overflowing.

I hope you will take this opportunity to get to know each other better. It is through

strong relationships with each other that we can better serve children. It is our hope that

you will join us in our newly developed mission and share in our vision not just for

CASA, but for all of the children we work hard to serve.

Thank you,

Lynne Farrar Executive Director

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Annual Meeting Tennessee CASA Association, Inc.

September 22, 2015 Nashville Public Library

Nashville, TN

Welcoming Remarks Tara Perry Interim CEO

National CASA Association

Youth Voice

Genesis Hardin

Awards Presentation

Champion for Children

Linda O’Neal & TCCY (Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth)

Legislator of the Year

Representative Charles Sargent District 61

Annual Report


Tennessee CASA

Service Awards & Closing Comments

Charlie Davenport Board President

TN CASA Board of Directors

Dulcimer Music by Linda Sack, Musician and Artist

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The Tennessee CASA Network

CASA, Inc. (1984) Serving Davidson County

Carolyn Evans, Program Director

Hamilton County CASA (1985) Amy Pedigo, Program Director

CASA of Northeast Tennessee (1985)

Serving Unicoi, Washington & Greene Counties Leslie Dalton, Executive Director

CASA of Memphis/Shelby County (1986)

Daphni Ishak, Program Director

CASA of East Tennessee (1987) Serving Knox County

Britany Sink, Executive Director

Wilson County CASA (1987) Cathey Sweeney, Executive Director

CASA of the Tennessee Heartland (1988) Serving Anderson, Scott & Blount Counties

Edward Harrison, Executive Director

CASA for Kids (1991) Serving Sullivan & Hawkins Counties

Mary Kilpatrick, Executive Director

Sumner County CASA (1991) Sonya Manfred, Executive Director

Williamson County CASA (1993)

Marianne Schroer, Executive Director

CASA of Rutherford County (1997) Susan Maguigan, Executive Director

Madison County CASA (1997)

Shannon Stewart, Executive Director

UCHRA CASA of Putnam County (1999) Serving Cumberland, Overton, Smith & Putnam Counties

Johnnie Wheeler, CASA Supervisor

CASA of Robertson County (2004) Summer Boutwell, Executive Director

CASA of Maury County (2006) Kristin Parker, Executive Director

CASA of Campbell County (2007) Amanda Allen, Executive Director

CASA Corridor of East Tennessee (2007)

Serving Meigs, McMinn & Rhea Counties Frances Witt-McMahan, Executive Director

CASA Monroe (2007)

Serving Monroe County Alisa Hobbs, Executive Director

Dyer-Lake CASA (2008)

Serving Dyer, Lake & Crockett Counties Wendy Smith, Executive Director

CASA of Henderson County (2008)

Annie Searock, Executive Director

CASA of Tipton County, Inc. (2009) Nina Smith, Executive Director

CASA of the 9th Judicial District (2009)

Serving Roane, Morgan & Loudon Counties Lindsey Brown, Executive Director

CASA Works, Inc. (2010)

Serving Coffee, Bedford & Franklin Counties Wanda Strayhorn, Executive Director

CASA of Bradley County (2010) Serving Bradley & Polk Counties

Josiah Vacheresse, Executive Director

Decatur County CASA (2011) Diana Montgomery, Executive Director

Lakeway CASA (2012)

Serving Hamblen & Jefferson Counties Denise Aludo, Executive Director

Sevier County CASA (2012)

Tishia Morris, Executive Director

Junior’s House (2013) Serving Marshall & Lincoln Counties Crystal Guess, Executive Director

Tennessee CASA Association Lynne Farrar, Executive Director

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Champion for Children Award

Linda O’Neal & TCCY

Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth

The policy-making body of TCCY is a 21-member commission whose

members are appointed by the governor. At least one member is appointed from each of Tennessee’s nine development districts. Four youth advisory members meet the federally mandated composition required for a Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act state

advisory group.

TCCY’s Vision All children in Tennessee are safe, healthy,

educated, nurtured and supported, and engaged in activities that provide them opportunities to achieve their fullest potential.

TCCY’s Mission The Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY) advocates to

improve the quality of life for children and families and provides leadership and support for child advocates.

Linda O’Neal

For almost 28 years, Linda O’Neal has been the

executive director of the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth. A licensed attorney with a J.D. from the Nashville School

of Law, Linda also has a B.S. in History from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and a Master’s in Public Administration

from a joint UT-MTSU program. Linda has worked with children in foster care, in juvenile justice system advocacy, and in

legislative and administrative advocacy with the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services on behalf low-income people.

Linda has been married 43 years and has a 32-year-old daughter

who is a nurse practitioner, a son-in-law who is a pilot in the United States Army, and a one-year-old grandson. She serves on a variety of national, state and local committees and boards, and has received national, state and local recognition for her work in

children’s services and juvenile justice advocacy. One of the volunteer activities that has meant the most to Linda

was serving as a Girl Scout leader for 13 years.

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Legislator of the Year Award

Representative Charles Sargent

Representing House District 61.

Born February 3, 1945.

Native of New York City.

Married wife Nancy; three children, Margaret, David &

Shawn, three grandchildren.

Attended Pace University in New York.

Served in the United States Navy from 1965-1967

in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Moved to Nashville in 1970 and then to Franklin in

1977.

Manager of John Hancock Insurance from 1967-1975.

State Farm Insurance agent from 1975 to present.

Attends Hillsboro Presbyterian Church.

Member of Williamson County Chamber of Commerce; Williamson County Republican

Party; court appointed special advocate board member; Williamson County Commissioner

1990-1996; Williamson County Planning Commission 1989-1997; co founder and past

president of Grassland Athletic Association; Williamson Medical Foundation

Board Member; Honored as Outstanding Representative 2001 by The County Officials

Association of Tennessee; Honored Legislator of the Year by the Tennessee Development

District Association 2002 and 2003.

House member of the 100-109th General Assembly. Republican Caucus Chairman 103rd -

104th General Assembly, four years previous as Republican Whip, currently serves as

Chairman of Finance, Ways & Means, member of Commerce, Insurance and Pensions,

Ad Hoc Rules, Business Tax Committees.

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Welcoming Remarks

Tara Perry

National CASA Association, Interim Chief Executive Officer

In 2013, Tara Perry joined the National CASA Association senior management team as Deputy CEO and Chief Operations Officer. Now serving as Interim CEO, she oversees the organization's day-to-day operations while also spearheading a major change initiative

that is currently underway.

Tara has more than 20 years of experience in non-profit management, strategic planning and operations management across multiple industries; including transportation,

healthcare, retail and the arts. Prior to joining National CASA, Tara was the Vice President of Strategy and Operations for the Woodruff Arts Center, one of the largest arts facilities in

the world.

During her non-profit career, Tara led major fundraising campaigns, developed new programs and initiatives, led large-scale change initiatives, and facilitated strategic

planning processes.

Tara holds bachelor’s degrees in Marketing and Public Relations, a Master in Business Administration and a certificate in Non-Profit Management and Fundraising. She is a

certified Master Balance Scorecard Professional, a Strategic Planning Professional, and a certified Change Management Professional and serves on the Board of Examiners for the

Malcom Baldridge Performance Excellence Program.

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Youth Voice

Genesis Hardin

Genesis Hardin is a former foster child who has dedicated her life to positively

changing policies and practices that effect youth in care - with a focus on dual

status youth.

On top of pursuing her Bachelors Degree in Social Work at the University of

Tennessee, she serves on multiple boards/committees including her local Youth 4

Youth board, the Statewide Youth Ambassadors board, the Tennessee Commission

on Children and Youth (SAG), and the Coalition of Juvenile Justice

Youth Committee.

Her work in the field includes guest speaking for organizations like Opportunity

Passport - Project NOW and the Department of Children's Services as well as sitting

on multiple PATH panel boards for foster parent training. In addition, she recently

became the Peer Advocate for Blount County where she meets and

goes to court with youth currently in care.

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CASA of Northeast Tennesseee

Campbell County CASA &

CASA Works, Inc.

Hamilton County CASA

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In the start of a new tradition,

Tennessee CASA would like to recognize and

thank the following Executive Directors on

their year(s) of service to CASA

and the children they work hard to serve:

15 Years of Service: Susan Maguigan

CASA of Rutherford County

Lynne Farrar Tennessee CASA

5 Years of Service:

Leslie Dalton CASA of Northeast Tennessee

Frances Witt-McMahan

CASA Corridor of East Tennessee

Shannon Stewart Madison County CASA

Diana Montgomery Decatur County CASA

Wanda Strayhorn

CASA Works, Inc.

1 Year of Service: Alisa Hobbs CASA Monroe

Amanda Allen

CASA of Campbell County

Amy Pedigo

Hamilton County CASA

Marianne Schroer Williamson County CASA

Nina Smith

Tipton County CASA

Annie Searock CASA of Henderson County

Sonya Manfred

Sumner County CASA

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Tennessee CASA “A Year in Review”

Major Accomplishments

Site Visits to all Local CASA Programs in Tennessee - July - December 2014

Fostering Futures Facilitator Training - July 2014

Annual Meeting and Director's Meeting - September 2014

Three Regional Fostering Futures Workshops - September and October 2014

Attachment and Its Impact on Children Training in Memphis - October 2014

Conflict Management Training in Johnson City - October 2014

National CASA Training of the Facilitator - November 2014

Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Training in Athens - December 2014

CASA Day on the Hill and Children’s Advocacy Days - March 2015

Local CASA Program Directors' Retreat - March 2015

3rd Annual Tennessee CASA Conference - May 2015

2015 – 2018 Strategic Plan for Tennessee CASA

Tennessee CASA Network (as of June 30, 2015)

28 Local CASA programs serving 47 counties

TN CASA Network Program Statistics

Number of children served: 5,421 Median cost per child: $762 (below national median cost: $1,090)

Number of CASA Volunteers: 1,197

Number of Volunteer Hours: 119,454 hours (valued at $2,404,609) Based on $20.13 value of volunteer time per hour in Tennessee, according to independentsector.org

AmeriCorps VISTA Member Sites in FY15

Bradley County CASA CASA Corridor

CASA of Sevier County CASA of the 9th Judicial District

Robertson County CASA Sumner County CASA

Williamson County CASA Tennessee CASA

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Grants & Contracts National CASA Association

State of TN Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Tennessee Bar Foundation (IOLTA Funds)

Tennessee Commission on Children & Youth AmeriCorps VISTA

Donors GM Foundation

Adam J. Liff Tennessee Employees Charitable Campaign

Tennessee CASA Board of Directors The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee—The Big Payback

Special Thanks to the following in-kind donors of professional services:

Mark Rodgers

Tennessee CASA Network (as of June 30, 2015)

28 Local CASA programs serving 47 counties

TN CASA Network Program Statistics

Number of children served: 5,421 Median cost per child: $762 (below national median cost: $1,090)

Number of CASA Volunteers: 1,197

Number of Volunteer Hours: 119,454 hours (valued at $2,404,609) Based on $20.13 value of volunteer time per hour in Tennessee, according to independentsector.org

AmeriCorps VISTA Member Sites in FY15

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Tennessee CASA Board of Directors

FY 15 (Ending June 30, 2015)

Charlie Davenport President

Talent Acquisition

Adam Liff Vice President

President, Diversified Funding & Management, LLC

Marshall Messamore

Treasurer Information Technology Specialist

Thomas Spiller

Secretary Medical Staff Coordinator

Williamson Medical Center

Kevin Balkwill, Esq. Immediate Past President

Disciplinary Counsel Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee

Naomi Asher

Agency Representative Executive Director

CASA of the Tennessee Heartland

Maggie Bahou Director, Human Resources & Organizational Development

TN Office of the Secretary of State

Margaret (Meg) Littman Writer and Editor

Tiffany M. Mason Public Policy Director Tennessee Council on

Developmental Disabilities

Gerald Phillips Retired Insurance Executive

Tawny Spinelli

Advocate/Former Foster Youth Children’s Cabinet Assistant Director

Young Child Wellness Coordinator

Shannon Stewart Agency Representative

Executive Director Madison County CASA

Laura Swanson


Wilson County CASA

Frances Witt-McMahan Agency Representative

Executive Director CASA Corridor of East Tennessee

Staff


Wendy Spence

Program Services Coordinator

Karin Freyer Youth Advocacy Training Specialist

Christina Fongnaly AmeriCorps VISTA

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FY 16 (Ending June 30, 2016)

Charlie Davenport President

Talent Acquisition

Adam Liff Vice President

President, Diversified Funding & Management, LLC

Marshall Messamore

Treasurer Information Technology Specialist

Maggie Bahou

Secretary Vice President, Human Resources

Hospice Compassus

Kevin Balkwill, Esq. Immediate Past President

Disciplinary Counsel Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee

Margaret (Meg) Littman

Writer and Editor

Tiffany M. Mason Public Policy Director Tennessee Council on

Developmental Disabilities

Gerald Phillips Retired Insurance Executive

Marianne Schroer Agency Representative

Executive Director Williamson County CASA

Shannon Stewart


Madison County CASA

Frances Witt-McMahan Agency Representative

Executive Director CASA Corridor of East Tennessee

Staff


Wendy Spence

Program Services Coordinator

Christina Fongnaly Data Analyst/Marketing Coordinator

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Tennessee CASA Strategic Plan 2015 - 2018

Purpose:

Every abused and neglected child needs a caring consistent adult to advocate for

his or her well-being.

Vision: Where every abused and neglected child in the State of Tennessee is given the

opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.

Mission:

To support, develop, expand and unite local CASA programs in recruiting and

training volunteers to advocate for Tennessee's abused and neglected children

GOAL # 1:

Cultivate a Collaborative and Cohesive Network that mitigates distance and delivers effective training and retention at all levels.

GOAL # 2: Diversification of revenue and resources to sustain and grow TN CASA

GOAL # 3: Expansion of new and existing CASA programs

GOAL # 4:

Increase Public Awareness & build the brand of CASA to positively affect its mission in Tennessee

GOAL #5: Create a comprehensive system for collecting, synthesizing, and distributing data

GOAL #6: To support the mission of TN CASA through highly effective governance

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Camelot helps children and their families across Tennessee to learn, grow and prosper. Our family counseling and foster care services are varied to be able to meet the

needs of our clients, and we are continually creating new programs in response to identified needs in a particular area. The common thread is that we provide counseling

and support services in-home and in community-based settings throughout Tennessee. We emphasize the strengths and uniqueness of each youth and family.

For more information, please visit:

www.thecamelotdifference.com

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Tennessee CASA says Thank You!

Tennessee CASA would like to recognize the following individuals

and organizations for their support:


National Court Appointed Special Advocates Association

Tennessee Commission on Children & Youth

Tennessee Bar Foundation—IOLTA Program

Tennessee Employee Charitable Campaign

Victims of Crime Assistance Program

General Motors (GM) Foundation

Adam J. Liff

AmeriCorps VISTA

Our sponsors for the 2015 Annual Meeting:

We would also like to recognize the following individuals and organizations for their in-kind donations:

Nashville Public Library

For the Event Venue

Mark Rodgers For Graphic Design

Linda Sack

For Dulcimer Music

Brunch provided by Take Away Catering/SOVA Food, Inc.

This project is funded under an agreement with the state of Tennessee.

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Tennessee CASA Association 412 Golden Bear Court, Suite B202

Murfreesboro, TN 37128 Office: 615.220.3990

Toll-Free: 800.TNCASA1 www.tncasa.org

tennessee casa 2015 annual report

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