Children's Advocacy Alliance

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Be The Star They Wish Upon

January 28, 2017 By casaadmin

Jane is 9 years old and lives in Conway. Her only Christmas wish this year is simple….she wants a home with a family who will love her and keep her safe.

By making a year end donation to the Children’s Advocacy Alliance you can help ensure that Jane, and the 178 other Faulkner County children in foster care, can wake up next Christmas morning in a safe and permanent home.

Online donation system by ClickandPledge

Filed Under: Stories of Hope

When All Hope Seems Lost

January 28, 2017 By casaadmin

Cordell was taken into foster care at the age of 10. Still a little boy in many ways, but one who had already seen and suffered so much. The courts quickly determined that termination of parental rights was in the best interest of Cordell and his 7 younger siblings. Although Cordell was now safe, he was missing what every little boy needs most; a stable family that could support him and inspire him to believe he could be anything he wanted to be.

Sadly the years ticked by and Cordell was moved from one foster home to another. Most times each new foster home meant a new school and new friends. Cordell’s younger siblings began to be adopted and little by little Cordell began to lose any hope that he would ever have the forever family he so desperately wanted and needed.

Then in 2011Cordell, now 16 years old, was placed with the Everett family. David Everett, a high school football coach and Michelle Everett, a school teacher, were new foster parents and ready to be there for a child in need. They decided from the beginning to treat Cordell as one of the family. He did not have to prove himself, he did not have to earn their trust. He had it from the beginning and it was up to him to keep it. Although he tested the boundaries a few times Cordell soon realized that could be a place to call home.

As Cordell’s sense of security began to strengthen, a bright, charming and athletic boy began to emerge. Cordell, who had always been a C average student, really began to shine. He started getting mostly A’s on his report cards, became the star player on the school football and basketball teams, was elected to the student council, and is now picking Colleges. It is because of the stability, support, and guidance David and Michelle were able to share that Cordell is now visioning a future full of possibilities. That future includes adoption by the Everett’s but both they and Cordell feel that is simply a piece of paper. He is already a part of the Everett family and that will never change.

Filed Under: Stories of Hope

Kayla’s Story

January 28, 2017 By casaadmin

 

When 6-year-old Kayla came in for an interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center, multiple calls to the abuse hotline had already been placed on her behalf. The allegations involved neglect by her father. When the investigation began it was unclear if the neglect allegation was valid, or if it was raised because of a custody battle.

The Children’s Advocacy Alliance approaches all cases with the single agenda of what is best for the child. With this in mind an interview was set up.

When Kayla arrived at our Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) she was scared and frightened. She knew something was going on, but was not sure who she could trust. Without our Center, Kayla would have gone to the police station. Instead, she came to our Center where she was greeted by our Family Advocate who held her hand and led her to a cozy waiting room with couches, books, and a fish tank.

Once Kayla was comfortable, she was interviewed by our Forensic Interviewer while DHS workers watched on closed circuit television. The interview, specially designed to not feel like an interrogation, made Kayla feel comfortable by drawing with her and calmly talking with her about her family life at home. In this neutral, fact-finding interview, Kayla disclosed that when she’s at her father’s house there is no food, she is left alone for hours, and when he is home he is often drunk. DHS workers, observing the interview, decided it was not safe for Kayla to be returned to her father and a dependency/neglect case was opened.

Kayla was assigned a CASA advocate who became responsible for ensuring her best interests and that a safe, permanent home is found as quickly as possible. During the next year, as Kayla remained in foster care while her father worked to regain custody, her CASA advocate was a constant and consistent presence in her life. Her advocate called or visited Kayla once a week, attended all case review and court hearings, and kept in contact with Kayla’s father to ensure he was following through with his court-ordered AA meetings and parenting classes.

At the same time, our Family Advocate who was the first person to greet Kayla at our Center, had arranged counseling for Kayla, and kept up with Kayla’s case by keeping track of her father’s criminal case.

After a year, the judge decided that because Kayla’s father had followed through with his parenting classes and AA meetings she could return to his care. With the diligent cooperation from both the CAC and CASA, Kayla left foster care and was reunited with her father.

The Children’s Advocacy Center provided a neutral and safe environment that allowed DHS and our staff to work together to provide what was best for Kayla. CASA was able to swiftly get an advocate on the case to ensure Kayla’s happiness and well-being.


Filed Under: Stories of Hope

Sarah and Brandon’s Story

January 28, 2017 By casaadmin

Sarah and Brandon’s Story

Five years ago, Sarah and Brandon were brought into the foster care system because of severe abuse and neglect. For the first four years they were in separate foster homes. Brandon had some behavioral problems that needed to be addressed. Over the years these children have had a failed adoption and one interested adoptive family that decided against adoption before getting to know the children. Brandon was very adamant about not wanting to be adopted. Sarah, on the other hand, desperately wanted to be adopted and blamed Brandon for their previous failed adoption. She did not want to be adopted with her brother. The CASA advocate assigned to the case understood the children’s feelings, but was also sure in her conviction, that if the children could be placed together and have the chance to live normally as brother and sister, their relationship would heal. The CASA advocate was not comfortable with the easy solution of separate adoptions as it would mean as the children grew into adulthood and wanted to have a relationship a separate adoption would make that impossible.

 

The therapists and caseworkers involved were all feeling disheartened, but with consistent pressure from the CASA advocate the children were finally placed into a therapeutic foster home together. With the children now living together, a new CASA Advocate was appointed to the case and turned her attention to finding a family willing to adopt the children.

 

Tom and Cindy Johnson had just moved into the area two years ago and were looking to adopt. At an adoption informational meeting, they saw a picture of Sarah and Brandon, heard their story and were immediately interested in knowing more about both children. They were a perfect match for Sarah and Brandon, having already dealt with children with behavioral issues. Over the past year the Johnson’s have been very proactive in working with the CASA advocate and the children to ensure the transition and adoption would be successful. The first step was gaining the trust of both children, not an easy task given. The Johnson’s began meeting the children on a weekly basis and took the time to make a scrapbook for Sarah and Brandon, detailing what their new home would be like. Cindy wrote a letter to both of them outlining what their family was like. She promised to both children that while they are not perfect, they will provide a loving home, “Love on days that are easy and love on days that are hard.” Their family promises to provide structure and guidance, something that Sarah and Brandon desperately need. Through therapy and time together, Sarah has opened up to the idea of being adopted with her brother. They are now both looking forward to being adopted.

 

Sarah and Brandon’s story shows that despite failures, advocates can be a source of hope for children that feel lost. When a family match just wasn’t there, this advocate stuck it out and kept looking for a forever family for Sarah and Brandon. With persistence and a heart for children, she found them a forever family that has made lasting promises and has acted with quickness.

 

Filed Under: Stories of Hope

Volleyball Fun Fest

January 28, 2017 By casaadmin

Join us tomorrow for a day of Volleyball Fun!

Don Owens Sport Center – 7:30am.

http://hopeandjustice.org/events/volleyball-fun-fest/

 

Filed Under: Stories of Hope

A Father’s Strength

January 28, 2017 By casaadmin

Imagine being a single father to a 12-year-old son. Now imagine being a single father to a 12-year-old son with an intellectual disability. Fathers are challenged everyday to be the best role models possible, but as Richard* has encountered with Seth*, some days are harder than others.

After leaving Seth with a caretaker, Seth’s father reported that he saw bruises and changes in his behavior. Concerned that Seth was being physically abused, Richard alerted the Child Abuse Hotline which triggered an investigation bringing Seth to the Children’s Advocacy Alliance to be interviewed. When they arrived, Seth was unable to really comprehend what was happening at the time, however the welcoming environment of the Children’s Advocacy Alliance helped ease Seth’s anxiety.

While Seth and his father were in the waiting room with the CAA Family Advocate, it was very apparent the calming impact Richard had on Seth. While the paperwork was completed Richard kept reassuring Seth that everything would be fine. When it came time for Seth to go with the forensic interviewer he was frightened and did not want to leave. Seth turned to his father and simply said, “I’m scared. Hold me.” Richard, despite Seth’s large frame, reached out and did the best he could to embrace his son. With the comfort and empowerment from his father’s loving arms, Seth was able to leave with the interviewer. Richard and Seth worked together with the Children’s Advocacy Alliance team to ensure Seth’s health and safety.

Seth’s father has been a constant in his life and was not going to step down and be intimidated by the investigation. Richard has been proactive and has not afraid to come to the Children’s Advocacy Alliance to ask questions. He simply wants to provide the best care possible for his son. No disability is going to stop Richard from looking out for his son. It will be a rough road for the pair, but Richard knows they will get through it together.

Filed Under: Stories of Hope

Children’s Advocacy Center

January 27, 2017 By casaadmin

Children’s Advocacy Center

The Central Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is a safe place for kids who may have been abused to tell their story. We bring together a team of specially trained professionals who evaluate and investigate cases of child abuse and help children and their families through this hard time.

The Forensic Interview is the heart of our work. The child victim will speak with an interviewer who has special training in the many dynamics of child abuse. The goal is to make each child as comfortable as possible while gathering information in a neutral, objective way. Interviews are videotaped in an effort to reduce the number of times the child has to talk about the abuse. It is important to recognize that at the Children’s Advocacy Center the child victim is being interviewed, not interrogated. The child is the victim and is not in trouble.

Clinical Coordination – After the interview all child victims and their non-offending family members receive a clinical coordinator/family advocate who provides crisis intervention, support services, and case management.

Medical Exam – An on-site medical exam room staffed with trained staff offers child sexual assault victims a medical exam that collects evidence and document trauma, if present. Most importantly, it is performed to reassure the child and family that his/her body is okay.

Mental Health – On-site mental health services are available for child victims and their non-offending family members. Referrals can be made to local trauma based providers for children who live outside Faulkner County.

Please click here to schedule a time to tour center.

 

What to tell a child about visiting the Children’s Advocacy Center?
A child may be nervous or worried about what will take place during their visit. It is okay to tell the child they will be going to someplace special where they can talk openly about their feelings. It is okay to tell the child that the people at the Children’s Advocacy Center are there to listen to them and that they want to make sure that the child is safe.

Our Team Approach
A multi-disciplinary team (MDT) is the key to the Children’s Advocacy Center. Professionals from a variety of agencies – child protection workers, law enforcement officers, mental health providers, advocates, and prosecutors – join forces to ensure child victims are receiving the essential services, referrals, as well as tracking the progress of the criminal case.

Click here to schedule a tour of our center

Filed Under: Recent Posts

1. CASA 20th

January 27, 2017 By casaadmin

CASA 20th

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the 20th Judicial District recruits and trains local advocates to stand up for abused and neglected children. They represent the child’s best interests in court, and help them find safe, permanent homes.

The CASA Advocate provides consistency and stability in a time of turmoil. A CASA Advocate is more than a volunteer – they complete 30 hours of training and become a sworn officer of the court.

When a CASA is appointed a case, they explore the child’s background and assess their situation to make objective recommendations to the court. The child may be placed with parents, relatives, foster care, or available for permanent adoption. A CASA stays with a case until the child is in a safe, permanent home.

Please click here to learn about becoming an advocate

Together, these programs protect children from further harm and restore hope to their lives.

The CASA Way of communicating with the social workers, foster parents, family, teachers, and most importantly, the child allows the advocate to provide the judge with comprehensive information that helps in providing a focused, personal and heartfelt understanding of what is in the best interest of the child. A CASA volunteer can be the difference between success and failure in a child’s life.

Filed Under: Recent Posts

Heroes for Hope Race

January 27, 2017 By casaadmin

Heroes for Hope Race

Heroes for Hope Race Moves to Virtual Format 

After careful consideration, the Children’s Advocacy Alliance has made the decision to move the Heroes for Hope race to a virtual race. The health and safety of our community are our top priority. This decision is aimed to protect from the further spread of or exposure to COVID-19.

We request that all superhero runners time their race, submit their results, and share a before and after photo with us via email or via social media no later than April 11, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. Tag us @ChildrensAdvocacyAlliance #H4H2020 so that we can celebrate with you!

All virtual superhero runners will receive a runner shirt and medal. We will host we will host a ceremony honoring the work of our runners, community members, and teachers after the risk for COVID-19 has diminished.

Remember, this is NOT an officially timed race, we want you to have fun and know above all else you are helping the kids in our community!

How does a virtual race work?

You may run, walk, skip, or dance your race at your own leisure. This may be done outside on a per-measured course, on a treadmill, or through a tracking device. So long as you finish your distance for your race and time it, you’ve finished the Heroes for Hope Race 2020. You’ll need to upload your finishing time for your race to the website, after you submit your results we will make sure you’re on our award ceremony list.

What’s the best way to virtually run this race? 

We suggest using a per-measured course, tracking device, or a running machine like a treadmill.

Who do I tag in my photos online?

Tag the Children’s Advocacy Alliance and use #H4H2020

What if I don’t want to run virtually but still want to help kids?

If you don’t want to run on your own time, you may donate your registration fees directly to the Children’s Advocacy Alliance to help kids find hope. Each registration by itself will train one child in abuse prevention and give three additional children the hygiene products they need. You’ll still get race swag and help kids — it’s a win-win!

Will I get a medal if I participate in the virtual race?

Of course! All runners will be given a medal and a shirt for participating in the virtual Heroes for Hope Race.

Still have questions?

Please reach out to Tess Fletcher, at tfletcher@hopeandjustice.org.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

1. New Building Campaign

January 27, 2017 By casaadmin

New Building Campaign

We are very excited to announce that we have recently received a large gift for our new building! Even better, they are willing to match any other gifts received for the capital campaign! Stay tuned for info on how you can help with that….

Filed Under: Recent Posts, Uncategorized

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Mailing Address

PO Box 1202
Conway, AR 72033
www.hopeandjustice.org
info@hopeandjustice.org
   

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Conway, AR 72034

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Fax. 501.328.5507

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Clinton, AR 72031

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