Douglas County CASA

Join us on Wednesday, November 19 at 5:00 p.m. for a virtual volunteer info session to learn more about how you can share your time and skills to create a brighter future for a child in Douglas County. Register now: https://loom.ly/Aly9DLA

This article breaks down five realities of the Kansas child welfare system and five ways CASA volunteers change the story for kids: providing a consistent adult, independent advocacy, rigorous training, a voice in court, and better outcomes. https://loom.ly/Iabv8iU
#CASACommunity #KansasFosterCare

We recognize that mental health is deeply connected to the experiences of children in foster care and supporting mental wellness is key to showing up as a consistent, caring adult and advocating for the services a child needs to heal and thrive.
#ChildWelfare #MentalHealthAwareness #CASAcommunity

Are you thinking about applying to be a CASA but need to know more? Join us virtually on Monday, October 6 at 12 p.m. to learn what it means to provide consistency and support for children in foster care, and how we help prepare you to step into this important role. https://loom.ly/UGB7LHc

Come say hello at your local farmers market this week! 🌽
Douglas County CASA will be at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market today, October 2nd from 4:00-6:30 p.m. and at the Lawrence Farmers Market on Saturday, October 4th.

#CASAcommunity #ChildAdvocacy #LawrenceKS #VolunteerWithCASA

ICYMI: When Tiffany was in foster care, that constant in her life was CASA Kathy McCarter. “One of the most important roles I played was simply being the person who had known her the longest,” says Kathy. Read her Q&A: https://loom.ly/i99zgCA

#CASACommunity #KansasFosterCare #ChildAdvocacy

Cultivating a Community of Care for Kansas Kids: In Conversation with CASA Executive Director Erick Vaughn | Douglas County CASA Step Up for Kansas Kids is an information and action community that engages caring people like you to take action for kids and families in the overburdened

Step Up for Kansas Kids is an action network that engages people to take action for kids in the overburdened Kansas child welfare system. We sat down with Erick to talk about the difference CASA makes in a child’s life & why he is passionate about community collaboration: https://loom.ly/-eKKo5w

Last week, the annual Winds Across the Prairie event once again took our breath away: Beautiful music, stunning setting, delicious food — and most of all, the incredible generosity of our supporters who made the evening possible.

We are offering naloxone trainings not only for our CASA volunteers but for the entire Douglas County Community. Join us Wednesday,9/24 @ 6:30 p.m. at Lawrence Public Library or Saturday, 11/15 @ 8:30 a.m. at the CASA office (with breakfast provided!). RSVP at https://loom.ly/-F95pX0.

Douglas County CASA is proud to launch Step Up for Kansas Kids, an initiative to build support for children and families involved in the child welfare system across Kansas. Sign up today and share with a friend: https://loom.ly/FXe-QnA

#CASACommunity #KansasFosterCare #StepUpForKansasKids

Tomorrow evening, the sounds of the University of Kansas Wind Ensemble will rise against the backdrop of rolling prairie at Triple R Ranch for our sold-out Winds Across the Prairie event. Read Dean Popiel’s reflections here: https://loom.ly/JcOhpcU

#CASACommunity #WindsAcrossThePrairie

With Winds Across the Prairie in its fifth year, we know this event requires upfront dedication from our supporters. Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor CEK Insurance for their continued, reliable contributions to CASA and its efforts in Douglas County.

#WindsAcrossThePrairie #CASA Community

Douglas County CASA wants our local families to thrive, and part of our focus on doing that is making sure the voice of each child under the court’s protection is heard. We deeply appreciate the our Champion Sponsors for partnering with us.

#WindsAcrossThePrairie #CASACommunity

We invite you to the ABCs of CASA on Saturday, September 27 - Advocacy, Breakfast, and Coffee will be served! Join us for this breakfast info session at Perkins at 8:30 a.m. - RSVP at https://loom.ly/S0u2oqQ

#ChildAdvocacy #CASA Community #ABCsofCASA

With 68 children currently on our waiting list, we are grateful for every opportunity we get to tell people about the work we do. Thank you to our Guardian Sponsors for helping us continue our work of making CASA a well-known child welfare resource.

#WindsAcrossThePrairie #CASACommunity

Winds Across the Prairie supports our overall fundraising goals by providing nearly a quarter of our annual income – we know each Advocate Sponsor values the work of CASA to provide safe, caring adults for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.

#WindsAcrossThePrairie #CASACommunity

Winds Across the Prairie is coming up next week and we are so grateful for everyone that supports this beautiful evening. Thank you to our Mentor Sponsors and their contributions to making this sell-out concert successful once again in 2025!

#WindsAcrossThePrairie #CASACommunity

If you believe in CASA’s mission and are ready to contribute your time, expertise, and voice to our work, we want to hear from you. Reach out to learn more about board service and how you can help strengthen advocacy for children in our community. #ChildAdvocacy #CommunityLeadership #CASAcommunity

​​When Kathy McCarter became a CASA volunteer more than 20 years ago, she thought she’d take one case and move on. But that one case ended up being Tiffany — and the start of a lifelong bond. Read her story: https://loom.ly/i99zgCA

Looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? Apply now to become a CASA and take part in our next training class beginning Wednesday, September 3rd.

Get ready to make a difference — apply now to volunteer. https://loom.ly/j6TioL8

#ChildWelfare #VolunteerOpportunity #ChildAdvocacy

In a recent interview with Kansas Public Radio, Executive Director Erick Vaughn shares how CASA volunteers fill gaps in the child welfare system, why more volunteers are needed, and how one CASA stepped in to help 5 siblings sleep comfortably in their new home. Listen: https://loom.ly/WivOnIs

We’re proud to share that Douglas County CASA has passed this year’s Kansas Office of Judicial Administration (OJA) audit with flying colors!
Huge thanks to our staff and volunteers who make this work possible every day!

#ChildAdvocacy #NonprofitExcellence #CASAcommunity

Join us for a virtual volunteer info session on August 22 at 9:00 a.m. to learn about advocating for children in foster care! Hosted by our Community Engagement Coordinator, this is a casual and informative session meant to answer all your questions. Register here: https://loom.ly/q0wslBE

ICYMI: Our child advocacy work is most visible within courtrooms and foster homes, but there is a great deal that happens behind the scenes.
Check out our article from Erick Vaughn about the lesser known side of CASA’s work from background checks to grant reporting. https://loom.ly/KpD9XQ4

Douglas County CASA is looking for board members to join our organization! If you're passionate about child welfare, non-profit work, advocacy, or making a difference, we could use your help. Find out more at https://loom.ly/S5DkJ7o.

#CASA #BoardOfDirectors #GetInvolved

Bo's Hog Wild is one month away! Join us from 5:00-6:30 p.m. for KidsFest — after that the band will play, the local brewery samples will be available, and dinner will be on! Thank you to Bo for making this party a smashing success every year! Find out more at https://loom.ly/5d8OyyQ.

Would you help fund our next training cohort? With the support of DCCF, we are looking to fund and fill two more training sessions before the end of 2025 to provide advocates for the 73 children on our current waiting list. Find out how to support this effort at https://loom.ly/BSVnyoc.

We are so grateful to Rademacher Financial, Inc. for their Guardian Sponsorship! Thank you for investing in the children of Douglas County and making it possible for us to recruit, train and support advocates to speak up on their behalf.

Curious about what CASA does or how to become a volunteer advocate? Catch us at Cottin’s Hardware Farmers Market on Thursday, July 17.

#ChildAdvocacy #CommunitySupport #ChildWelfare

How can YOU make a difference in a child’s life?
Come have lunch with us at noon on July 22nd at Johnny’s Tavern West and learn about becoming a volunteer advocate for a child in foster care! RSVP here: https://loom.ly/5Pptsug