Clinton Township Newsletter

2 6 a u g u s t 2 0 1 9 w w w . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . c o m Frank F. Apgar & Sons Septic Tank Cleaning Family Owned Business Annandale 908.735.5248 www.ApgarSonSeptic.com c a S a S h a w i S m a k i n g S t r o n g , l a S t i n g S t r i d e S i n o u r r e g i o n Court Appointed Special Advocates of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties (CASA SHaW) are continuing to make strong, long- lasting strides in all three counties they serve. CASA SHaW's growth plan during the past fiscal year has generated monumental and positive results for children living in foster care. "As an organization, we've worked hard over the last 13-years to reach every child in foster care," said Tracey Heisler, Executive Director of CASA SHaW, "and we served a record 240 children this past year. We'll continue to work towards providing an advocate for every child who's been abused or neglected." CASA SHaW is now serving all eligible foster children in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties and approximately 70 percent of foster children living in Warren County. The growth plan put into place in January, 2018 to extend services to every child in placement netted conclusive, positive results. During that time CASA SHaW trained 58 new advocates and served 281 foster children – 240 this past fiscal year alone, which was a new record. The program anticipates serving every child in Warren County by year's end. From a community-focused standpoint, CASA SHaW is providing leadership in the foster care community based on the results from a recent CASA SHaW stakeholder survey. All respondents felt that CASA SHaW is fulfilling its mission; 100% had very positive or positive interactions with the organization's staff and advocates; and 87.5% felt working with CASA SHaW was beneficial or extremely beneficial to them and to the children served. "We have put a strong focus on continuing to educate our local communities about childhood trauma and reaching out to individuals who never thought they could make a difference in the life of a foster child," said Heisler. "We have been able to help positively transform the lives of many children who otherwise would have fallen through the cracks within the system. But we're not done yet and still have more work to do," Heisler said. One such child served is Leo, whose case recently closed with the county DCP&P office, court system, and CASA SHaW. Leo had been involved with DCP&P for five years after being removed from his family because of physical abuse. Coupled with his family trauma, Leo struggled with substance use issues that he was determined to overcome. He worked extremely hard through his treatment programs and has been clean for more than three years. He also was able to strengthen his relationship with his siblings, who are spread out across the country, and build a positive relationship with his mother. The same CASA volunteer advocate was appointed to Leo for the three and a half years he was receiving services from DCP&P, and he had a very good, positive relationship with her. The CASA volunteer advocate met with Leo monthly, supported and encouraged him as he finished his substance abuse treatment as he began living with a friend's family. He graduated from high school and started his own landscaping business. He also worked part-time during his time within the system. He went back and forth about attending post-high school classes, and as he neared the age of 21 he decided to take some classes to help advance his business. CASA SHaW was able to support him in his request for DCP&P assistance for paying for school, as well as a new computer to help his business. Through a community partner, CASA was able to secure the leaf-blower that Leo needed for his business. CASA also provided Leo with birthday gifts and holiday gifts each year. His life is moving forward in a positive direction in part because he had an advocate to speak on his behalf. CASA of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties is part of a statewide network of community-based, non-profit programs that recruit, screen, train and supervise volunteers to "Speak Up for a Child" removed from home due to abuse or neglect. CASA is the only program in New Jersey that uses trained volunteers to work one-on-one with children, ensuring that each one gets the services needed and achieves permanency in a safe, nurturing home. To find a local CASA program in Hunterdon County, visit www.CASAofNJ.org. NEED/WANT EXTRA COPIES OF CTNL? The Clinton Township Newsletter is always delivered to the Municipal Offices on Rt. 31(South), as well as at the North County Branch Library on Halstead Street in Clinton (on the racks) and the Headquarters Library at 314 State Route 12, Bldg. #3 in Flemington. Of course, each issue may be found online at: www.ClintonTwpNewsletter.com "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul than the way in which it treats its children." — Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa

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