casa of travis county 2009 annual report

C A S A O F T R AV I S C O U N T Y, I N C .

CASA of Travis County

2009 Annual Report

C A S A O F T R AV I S C O U N T Y, I N C .

Marie needed her safe, loving family...

At birth, Marie was diagnosed with Down syndrome, had holes in her heart and was not growing or gaining weight. Her 14-year-old mother was not equipped to handle Marie’s intense medical needs and was often irresponsible in her care; she would leave for long periods of time without a diaper bag or formula and did not always provide Marie with the oxygen she was supposed to receive. Marie was removed from her home at 6 months of age.

CASA volunteer Ohiana was appointed to Marie, and she quickly dove into learning all she could about Marie, her family and the case. Through her work, she came to the conclusion that Marie’s grandmother, Norma, was the best placement for her, though it would take a lot of preparation for Norma to adequately care for Marie’s medical needs.

Norma received medical training, but the fact that she spoke only Spanish greatly complicated the training process. CASA matched Ohiana and her Spanish-speaking ability with Norma to ensure that they could communicate throughout the case. Ohiana encouraged Norma through the challenges of learning about Marie’s medical needs and helped her to understand the process. In addition, Ohiana’s warm personality allowed her to bond with Marie’s family quickly – they saw her as their support system.

Ohiana worked diligently with Marie’s nurses to ensure that nursing would continue after the case had closed and that Norma was receiving the training needed to care for Marie herself. Ohiana constantly checked in for feedback on both Marie’s and Norma’s progress, and she stayed by Norma’s side supporting her through this challenging time. Happily, Marie was returned to her family and she will grow up with her biological grandmother and mother.

CASA of Travis County exists to promote and protect the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected, by training volunteers to advocate for them and help them find safe, permanent and loving homes. Without Ohiana’s diligent intensive advocacy, Marie’s safe, healthy, loving and permanent home could have been much further away.

Maria A., 3½-year CASA VolunteerHometown – Los Angeles, CA

How she got to Texas – Her family travels in packs and they all moved here together!

Education – Bachelors in business from Texas State University

Career – Marketing at National Instruments

Free time – She’s a runner, and is very involved with Communities in Schools, FuturoFund, Leadership Austin and more.

Working with CASA – Maria has had 3 cases with CASA and worked with a total of 7 children.

“After my first case I took a small break, and when CASA called, I was so excited because I was so ready to get back on a case. I thought, ‘You know, it’s fine that I took a break, but the kids don’t get a break.’ The kids have no choice or control over what’s going on, so if they don’t get a break, I don’t either! I am going to be there to support them.”

From the Executive Director

Hello and thank you to our generous and committed friends, volunteers and supporters!

We are so pleased to send you our 2009 Annual Report. This is our opportunity to convey the impact of our work in 2009 – the challenges, the successes and most of all, the stories of our volunteers and the youth they serve. Behind each of these pictures and all of these words are hundreds of real lives: children who enter the child protective services system alone and afraid, families struggling to rebuild themselves with safety and strength, and dedicated volunteers from around our community who have committed to being a consistent and stable presence during a remarkably uncertain and frightening time.

Even as you read this annual report, know that all over Austin today, CASA’s amazing volunteers are making a difference for abused children --- using the power of their voices to advocate on behalf of these children for promising futures, safe and loving homes; everything we all deserve.

In spite of a difficult year, when we were stretched just to maintain our current level of services, we’re proud that we were able to grow in many of our efforts. Some of these you will read about on the pages to come, and I hope you will feel as proud as I do of our advocacy and our volunteers.

Sincerely,

Laura D. Wolf

Holly & Gavin M., 4½-year CASA Volunteers

Hometown – Holly is from San Antonio and Gavin is from Gatesville, TX.

Family – Holly and Gavin have a 2½-year-old son.

Education – Holly graduated from Austin College and Gavin from The University of Texas.

Career – Holly is a realtor and Gavin is a legislative affairs consultant.

Family legacy – Holly’s parents were CASA volunteers in San Antonio so she has grown up with this organization and she introduced Gavin to CASA. They work on cases together as a couple.

“On our first case, we were the one thing that stayed throughout our CASA child’s case. His CPS supervisor changed, his case worker changed 3 times, the attorney changed and his placement changed. But we saw him through and got to be there to finally celebrate his adoption into a permanent and loving family.”

For every child that needs us...

- CASA served 1,106 children or 78% of the total number of children in the care of Child Protective Services.

- Judges appointed CASA to cases for 401 new children.

Child Race/Ethnicity

2009 Program Report

Negative Results

Neutral Results

Courtsey Work

Aged out of System

Permanency with Relative

Family Reunification

Adoptive Placement

2% Negative Results (Child Ran Away, etc)

9% Neutral Results (Case Transferred, Dismissed, etc)

3%Courtesy Work from other CASA programs

6% Child Aged out of System

8% Permanency with Relative

35% Family Reunification

37% Adoptive Placement

Negative Results

Neutral Results

Courtsey Work

Aged out of System



Adoptive Placement








Negative Results

Neutral Results

Courtsey Work

Aged out of System



Adoptive Placement








...a safe home and a promising future.

- CASA helped close cases for 436 children.

- 89% of these cases closed in a permanent placement, including family reunification, adoption, or permanent managing conservatorship with a safe family or relative.

Child Case Closure Reasons

CASA of Travis County envisions a trained volunteer advocate... - Of the 1,106 children, 924 (or 83.5%) had a volunteer on their case.

- 53% of volunteers who closed a case in 2008 took a new case in 2009.

- CASA supported 444 volunteers assigned to cases and working with children.

- 142 new volunteers completed advocate training.

- Volunteers donated more than 21,000 hours and travelled more than 163,000 miles in service to children last year.

Negative Results

Neutral Results

Courtsey Work

Aged out of System



Adoptive Placement

8% Bi-Racial/Multi-Racial

9% Other/Not Specified

15% Caucasian

29% African-American

39% Hispanic

Negative Results

Neutral Results

Courtsey Work

Aged out of System



Adoptive Placement



15% Caucasian


39% Hispanic

Negative Results

Neutral Results

Courtsey Work

Aged out of System



Adoptive Placement



15% Caucasian


39% Hispanic

39% Hispanic


15% Caucasian



37% Adoptive placement

35% Family reunification

8% Permanency with relative

6% Child aged out of system

12% Other**Includes courtesy work from other CASA programs, Dismissed or transferred cases, Child ran away, etc.

Major Accomplishments

2009 was a time of enormous challenge as this nation faced an economic crisis more dramatic than any we had faced in years. For CASA of Travis County, our challenges were not unique --- we saw the loss of contributed dollars as people tightened their own purse strings. However, even as we saw financial resources shrinking, our staff stepped up to increase their own caseloads, and in a testament to the commitment of our community, we saw more and more volunteers walk in our doors to do their part for children.

» More than 60% increase in volunteers

The numbers of prospective volunteers who began training increased 62% and the number of volunteers completing training and taking their first cases increased 61% over 2008.

» Enhanced Transitioning Youth Program

We were fortunate to be able to expand our Transitioning Youth program which works with older youth at risk of aging out of foster care. This program celebrated its first birthday in 2009 and we are ever more pleased with the results we are seeing. We developed innovative services for youth, specialized training for volunteers and broader networking with other community partners --- all designed to help ensure that these very vulnerable youth will be able to transition to successful and independent adulthood. Our Transitioning Youth Specialists and volunteers held monthly “meet-ups” for youth to build community with peers and to learn important life skills. They empowered the youth to prepare their own “youth court reports” to submit to the judges in their cases so the youth can participate more fully in planning for their futures.

» Collaborating with Travis County Model Court for Children and Families

In addition to serving on the Executive Committee of the Model Court, Executive Director Laura Wolf was selected to chair an initiative of the Model Court to look at more effective and collaborative means of identifying and engaging family and supportive adults to benefit foster youth, and Community Outreach Liaison Sonia Kotecha was appointed to the Model Court’s Disproportionality Initiative.

Olivia K., 1-year CASA VolunteerHometown – Phoenix, AZ

Education – Olivia studied sociology and English at Yonsei University in Korea.

Free time – Olivia loves rock music, so Austin’s live music scene suits her well. She also enjoys playing tennis and other sports.

Working with CASA – Olivia has worked with CASA for almost a year and is on her first case working with a young boy.

Being proactive – Olivia was searching for volunteer opportunities when she found CASA. She felt being an advocate would be really meaningful, and appreciated the training that went into it and the fact that volunteers are sworn-in to their official roles by the court. She wanted a challenging volunteer role that she could learn from, and once she began her training, she knew that CASA was right for her.

“No matter how resilient children are, they need their very own advocate in a situation like this. I almost feel like we shouldn’t be sleeping, we need to do something for these children now.”

Carissa needed a chance to succeed...

Carissa was first removed from her home when she was 7 years old, and was adopted by a couple within a year. Normally, this would be a happy ending, but for Carissa, this was just the beginning of her story. At age 16, she was picked up by the police in a crack house, and made an outcry accusing her adoptive father of ongoing sexual abuse since her adoption 9 years earlier. She was removed from that home, and CASA volunteer BeBe was assigned to her case.

Carissa and BeBe hit it off extremely well, talking every other day for the first few months when Carissa’s situation was most tenuous. Carissa was headstrong and did not follow rules well, but BeBe saw she had a good head on her shoulders and she successfully persuaded Child Protective Services (CPS) to allow room for Carissa’s behavior and personality, within safe limits.

Changing living arrangements had disrupted Carissa’s regular schooling, so with BeBe’s guidance Carissa began to work on her GED. BeBe also identified CPS benefits Carissa was eligible for, and secured three adults in her life Carissa could have healthy relationships with as she aged out of the system and began to live on her own.

BeBe and Carissa celebrated when Carissa earned her GED at 18. Carissa moved swiftly leasing an apartment, getting a job and enrolling in college. She has entered the adult world on stable feet, largely due to her own initiative, but also to BeBe’s strong individualized support to allow Carissa to become her own unique self, help her finish her education during the most difficult time in her life and set her on the right path towards a successful and independent future.

For every child who needs us, CASA of Travis County envisions a trained volunteer advocate, a safe home and a promising future - just what Carissa needed and what CASA was able to give her.

Administration

Fundraising

Program








Other

Individuals

United Way/Workplace Giving

Special Events Fundraising

Foundation Awards

Government Grants








2009 Fiscal Report

Revenue & Community Support

Other

Individuals



Foundation Awards

Government Grants








Other

Individuals



Foundation Awards

Government Grants








Government Grants$552,671 - 31%

Foundation Grants$521,156 - 30%

Fundraising Events$303,469 - 17%

United Way/Workplace Giving$193,021 - 11% Individual/Corporate Contributions$200,148 - 11%

Other$7,419 - Less than 1%

Program: $1,241,914 - 80%

Total Revenue: $1,777,884

Administration

Fundraising

Program








Administration

Fundraising

Program








Administration

Fundraising

Program








Fundraising: $204,518 - 13%

Administration: $114,311 - 7%

Expenses

Total Expenses: $1,560,743

Tara A., 5-year CASA Volunteer

Austin Native – Born in Brackenridge Hospital, Tara has spent her entire life near the Capital City.

Family – Tara has been married for 18 years to her high school sweetheart. They have 2 children – a 17-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son.

Career – Contract Manager at AT&T

Free time – Tara loves spending time with her husband and family. She serves as a Sunday school teacher and does many children’s extracurricular activities at her church.

Working with CASA – Tara has been an advocate for 5 years and has worked with 6 children.

Why she volunteers – “It is my nature to be an advocate and to speak up, and I wanted to channel that energy into a positive outlet. So I use that energy to help my CASA kids!”

“I just know that I feel very blessed to be able to impact little lives. I can’t change what happened to them, they’re going to have to fight that battle, but I made an impact. A positive impact. And I restored some trust in adults, and that really just makes me happy.”

Daniel R., CASA Child Advocacy SpecialistHometown – Houston

Education – Advertising degree from The University of Texas

Family legacy – Daniel’s brother was a CASA volunteer before Daniel started working with CASA as a supervisor.

Bob O., 2-year CASA VolunteerHometown – Waco

Family – Bob has been married for 40 years and has one son.

Education – Bob graduated from Stephen F. Austin University, joined the military after graduating and then earned both an MBA and a law degree.

Career – Bob worked with CIGNA Healthcare for around 20 years and then as a financial advisor for different firms over the past 14 years before retiring.

Working with CASA – Bob has worked with 5 children throughout his 4 cases with CASA. Daniel has supported him as a staff supervisor during those cases.

“CASA is a group of top quality adults trying to make life better for abused and neglected kids. And we don’t compromise on the best interest of a child.”

Donors$1,000 - $4,999Anonymous (3)Maria AdameKathleen & David AllenAmanda AndraeGreg AusleyAustin Area Mazda DealersAustin Pain AssociatesRebecca & Steven BakerJannis & Robert Baldwin IIIMavis & Shawn BallBBVA CompassJanet & Kevin BellHenry F. BenedictBethany United Methodist ChurchJennifer & John BirdWilliam E. BloodStephanie & Gregory BobrekBoon Insurance Management Services, L.P.Paula BoonShari & Robert ButlerThe Honorable Harriet O’Neill & Mr. Kerry CammackEverett J. CarmodyCentennial VenturesBonita Griffith & David ChasisClaire E. ClosmannElizabeth & Walter CochranConcept ServicesCatherine Connolly & Martin J. GramlichDenise & Jerry ConwayYolanda & Chris ConyersCovenant Benefits, P.L.L.C.Mark DallmanTheodore P. Davis Charitable TrustJohn Michael DempseyThe Honorable & Mrs. John K. DietzThe Dorset Foundation, Inc.Rosemary & Russell DouglassLaura & Dru DunworthDynamic Reprographics, Inc.Emerson Process ManagementEntrepreneurs Foundation of Central TexasExxonMobil FoundationIla & John FalveyFrost National BankFulcrum Capital HoldingsLiz & Eric GoldreyerA Greater Austin Development Co., Ltd.Guaranty Financial ServicesGail & Harold HamiltonCorey HartThe Honorable & Mrs. Joseph H. HartH-E-BShari & Colin HodgesEric HopkinsHumana

Elizabeth HummerDenise HydeAdmiral Bobby Inman & Mrs. Nancy InmanKappa Alpha Theta - UT ChapterGermana & Peter KapplerKasling, Hemphill, Dolezal & Atwell, L.L.P.KCL FoundationBarbara & Kevin KliefothLouis J. & Millie M. Kocurek Charitable FoundationSavan KotechaDeanna KuykendallCraig LaubacherLCRA Employees’ United CharitiesLesley & Morgan LedwellJill & Kirk LewisLisa & Todd LewisJoyce & David LindseyTeresa & Joe LongSara & Mark LuttrellGrace & Joe MansourCatherine MauzyLynette & John MaxwellTeresa & Matt McCartyMary Ann & John McPhaulMeador & Jones, L.L.P.Mercedes-Benz of AustinMorris GlassMrs. Baird’s BakeriesMargarate & Jack MurrayHeather M. NevillePatricia & Robert OttoJulie & Nat PenistonJanis & Joe PinnelliKari & Lee PottsProjekt202Margery & Martin RiezebeekMaureen RiopelLisa & Bryan RollinsMelissa & David RubinJoyce & John SampsonShankman, Leone & WestermanJill & Ben SheppardSilicon LaboratoriesAndrea & Grant SparksSusan & Dale SpiveySt. Thomas More Catholic ChurchBeth & Frank StabileSun Microsystems, Inc.teleNetwork Partners, Ltd.Sarah & Andy ValenzuelaWells Fargo BankKathy & Tim WilhelmWilliam Gano Houstoun FoundationRob WilliamsWinstead, P.C.Margaret & Byron Zinn

$100,000+Michael & Susan Dell FoundationUnited Way Capital Area

$50,000 - $99,999Meadows Foundation, Inc.RGK Foundation

$10,000 - $49,999

Anonymous (2)

3M

Applied Materials

Conway & Associates, Inc.

Dell Foundation

Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc.

Harutunian Engineering Inc.

Debbie & Bryan Holley

The Junior League of Austin

Mary & Bill LaRosa

Lola Wright Foundation

Lowe Foundation

Sue Milburn Charitable Memorial

Trust

NFL Alumni, Inc.

Barbara & Leon Schmidt

Shield-Ayres Foundation

Texas Bar Foundation

Topfer Family Foundation

Laura Wolf & Fred Aus

$5,000 - $9,999Balcones Pain ConsultantsBrown McCarroll, L.L.P.Coca-Cola North AmericaJamie & James CottonNedra & Kris HawkinsCarolyn & Tom NicewarnerNordstromScott Woodbury

Donors$500 - $999Lissa AdamsAll Austin EntertainmentAllen Financial ServicesAmerican Lebanon Association, Inc.Gretchen & Christopher AtwellRobert AusAustin Convention & Visitors BureauThe Austin Diagnostic ClinicAvant Design Group, Inc.Ann L. Benolken & Mark EngelingBroadcast Marketing & Entertainment, L.L.C.Darlene & Dan ByrneKathleen CalderCantilo & Bennett, L.L.P.Spring & Orlando CastilloRhonda & Christopher ChandlerSusan Conway & John R. HowellCovenant Management SystemsThe Honorable Suzanne Covington & Mr. Rupert ChambersJerri & Dale DavisDorothy & John De La GarzaDesigner Clearance HouseTerrell W. EdisonBarbara & Rick FisherNancy & Larry FullerJoseph Gagen & Joanne HopkinsLonny R. GorbanGraves, Dougherty, Hearon & Moody P.C.

Lisa GrayGreater Texas Federal Credit UnionRobin & Mark GreenbergRonald GreeningBrian S. GreigSonia & Vikram GroverTracy & Matthew HamiltonDawn Mallory & Chris D. HarkriderAlicia & Thomas HarrisonKara & Jay HartzellAmy & Gregory HerzogLynda & Arthur HorlickKaren Hughes-Quintos & Tony QuintosHunton & WilliamsThe Honorable Rhonda HurleyDenise & Lee JacksonJamail & Smith ConstructionDana & Kemp KaslingBoyd KellyKathryn KirchnerDeborah & Chick KobelanThomas C. KohlerApril & Kris KubikLanda Property Management, Inc.Jonathan D. LevyKristine MarshallMcGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, L.L.P.JoAnn Merica & Tom HoekstraMHNet Behavioral HealthJames T. MillerMissy & N.D. Moscoe

Mary K. Wolf & Ron H. MossCatherine MyersLea C. NoelkeSara Kilroy & Christopher PattersonJames D. PattersonKaren L. PerryBina & Noah PollackBrock B. PurslowStephanie QuirkBarbara Redding & David LoweryTeresa & Richard RobersonDr. & Mrs. David RussellJennifer & Stephen ShepherdSHI Government SolutionsSocial ThinkerJennifer & Eric SwensonPam & David TerresonMorton TopferElizabeth Ashcraft & Lawrence P. TuWilliam UhlenhopDiane & Tom VothWallTechDiana K. WheelerKim K. WildeTama & Jodi WilliamsonWilson Roofing Company, Inc.Zimmet Vein & DermatologyLisa & Scott Zodin

Powerful Voice Giving Society

In 2009, these donors chose to help ensure our long-term sustainability by pledging a substantial, multi-year gift:

Mavis & Shawn Ball

Spring & Orlando Castillo

Bonita Griffith & David Chasis

Catherine Connolly & Martin J. Gramlich

Kelli Donelson

Kara & Jay Hartzell

Clare Hudspeth

Elizabeth Hummer

Jill & Kirk Lewis

Lisa & Todd Lewis

Margarate & Jack Murray

Carolyn & Tom Nicewarner

Patricia & Robert Otto

Melissa & David Rubin

Debra & Joseph Slapak

Laura Wolf & Fred Aus

Norma M., 10-year CASA VolunteerHometown – Laredo

Family – Norma lives in Austin with her son and 12-year-old granddaughter, but she comes from a huge family - 10 brothers and 3 sisters.

Education – Bachelors degree in journalism from the University of Colorado

Career – Norma worked with IBM for 29 years, and now she is the director of a family resource center at Martin Middle School.

Free time – Norma loves jogging at Town Lake and volunteers with other organizations in our community.

Working with CASA – Norma has been a CASA volunteer for 10 years and served on the Board of Directors for 3 years. She has worked with 14 children.

“Sometimes you think you’ve done enough - worked a full day, taken care of your family. But helping these children pays back with their smiles and their hugs and knowing it will be better for them because you were there.”

PresidentShawn Ball

Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.

Immediate Past President Denise ConwayAustin Sonic, Inc.

First Vice PresidentDavid RubinProfitFuel, Inc.

Secretary/TreasurerLee E. Potts

Brown McCarroll, L.L.P.

Development ChairApril Kubik

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid

Governance ChairDavid Laibovitz

Travis County District Attorney’s Office

Legal AdvisorKemp Kasling

Kasling, Hemphill, Dolezal & Atwell, L.L.P.

DirectorsLissa Adams

Jamail & Smith Construction

Shari ButlerRMC Research Corporation

Orlando CastilloSigma Solutions

David ChasisChasis Consulting, Inc.

Jamie CottonCommunity Volunteer

Matt HamiltonFulcrum Capital

Debbie HolleyCommunity Volunteer

Todd LewisAustin Christian Fellowship

Joyce LindseyTexas Equal Access

to Justice Foundation

Kirk LewisHome City Austin

Erin NelsonDell, Inc.

Andy ValenzuelaDell, Inc.

CASA of Travis County 2009 Board of Directors

MissionCASA of Travis County exists to promote and protect the best interest of children who have been abused or neglected, by training volunteers to advocate for them in courts, in schools and in our community to help them find safe, permanent and loving homes.

VisionFor every child who needs us, CASA of Travis County envisions a trained volunteer advocate, a safe home and a promising future.

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casa of travis county 2009 annual report

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