CASA CONNECTIONS
Optima Resources
Resource Center
Newsletter Archive
Books / Movies / Podcasts
Training Archive
Advocate Forum: Ask a Question and Get Answers
Training Slides
(2/2/22) Helping Youth Handle Bullying with Christine Waanders PhD
(1/14/22) January 2022 Coffee Chat
(11/5/21) SWAN & PAE 101 – Family Services
More information:
- Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange (PAE) • www.adoptpakids.org
- LSI (Legal Inquires & Questions) Warmline • lsiwarmline@diakon-swan.org
- SWAN Toolkit • www.swantoolkit.org
- Incarcerated Resource Manual • www.diakon-swan.org/irm/
- SWAN Helpline • 1-800-585-SWAN
(10/21/21) SWAN & PAE 101 – Child Services
(10/8/21) Autism Spectrum Disorder
(9/23/21) Navigating Homelessness in Child Welfare
(7/22/21 & 4/30/21) Exploring perceptions of substance use, treatment & recovery to support families impacted by parental substance use
(6/11/21) Intellectual Disabilities: Registration, Services and Interventions
(5/26/21) Responding to School Discipline
(5/17/21) Supporting Youth with Disabilities with Self Advocacy
(5/10/21) Advocating for Youth involved in the Juvenile Justice System
(3/25/21) CASA Speaker Series – Domestic Violence
(2/23/21) How to Read an IEP
PA CASA Book Club
Join us for a discussion on What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Dr. Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D. and Oprah Winfrey in December.
PA CASA staff invite active CASA volunteers and staff to join our Book Club with selections to enrich your work in the CASA network.
It’s easy to join the book club. SIGN UP HERE.
Book List
Domestic Violence
Mine Until by Jessica Yaffa
No Visible Bruises by Rachel Snyder
Cultural Awareness
Far from the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity by Andrew Solomon
Addictions
Social Justice
Abuse
Damaged by Cathy Glass
Educated by Tara Westover
Adolescent Brain Development
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry, M.D, Ph.D. and Oprah Winfrey
Foster Care
Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
To the End of June: The Intimate Life of American Foster Care by Chris Beam
Human Trafficking
In Our Backyard: Human Trafficking In America and What We Can Do To Stop It by Nita Belles
Trauma
Movie List
Broken Places
Explores why some children are severely damaged by early adversity while others are able to thrive. By revisiting some of the abused and neglected children we profiled decades ago, we’re able to dramatically illustrate how early trauma shaped their lives as adults. BROKEN PLACES interweaves these longitudinal narratives with commentary from a few nationally renowned experts to help viewers better understand the devastating impact of childhood adversity as well as the inspiring characteristics of resilience.
https://brokenplacesfilm.com/media-library/
Buck
A richly textured and visually stunning film, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real-life “horse-whisperer”, he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with their horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment.
Foster
This film features numerous individuals in the foster care system; however, the inspiration for this film started with just one child.
https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/foster
Foster Care’s Invisible Youth
“Seven LGBTQ youth from the foster care system share their stories. Failed by their families, these young people go on to face rejection from foster families, invisibility within the system and incredible obstacles to healthy development.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn1L8M_I-Cs
Podcast List
The “F” Word: Foster Care
From Families’ Anchor, join us as we navigate through the Child Welfare system. Hear stories from parents, Parent Navigators, service providers, attorneys, judges, the Department, family & friends, foster parents, and more. Come be part of the positive conversation and change of Child Welfare to a family well-being system.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-f-word-foster-care/id1516295655
Pod Save The People
On Pod Save the People, DeRay Mckesson explores news, culture, social justice, and politics with Kaya Henderson and De’Ara Balenger. They offer a unique take on the news, with a special focus on overlooked stories and topics that often impact people of color.
Hosted by DeRay
https://crooked.com/podcast-series/pod-save-the-people/
The Forgotten Initiative
Whether you are a part of the foster care community, passionate about serving or simply interested in learning more, we are here for you!
https://theforgotteninitiative.org/podcast/
What the Foster
Welcome to What The Foster, a podcast dedicated to giving a voice to the often voiceless population of foster children in the United States. This season we’re focusing on the often unheard and invisible population of current and former youth in foster care.
https://www.futureisfamily.org/portfolio/what-the-foster/
Unlocking Us with Brené Brown
Conversations that unlock the deeply human part of who we are, so that we can live, love, parent, and lead with more courage and heart.
https://brenebrown.com/podcast-show/unlocking-us/
Ken Burns Presents College Behind Bars
Men and women in prison for serious crimes try to earn college degrees in this groundbreaking story of incarceration, injustice, race in America, and the transformative power of education.
https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/college-behind-bars/
Caught from WNYC Radio
All kids make dumb mistakes. But depending on your zip code, race, or just bad luck, those mistakes can have a lasting impact. Mass incarceration starts young. In Caught: The Lives of Juvenile Justice, hear from kids about the moment they collided with law and order, and how it changed them forever. WNYC Studios is a listener-supported producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics Radio, Snap Judgment, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and many others.
https://www.npr.org/podcasts/589480586/caught
The Imprint Youth & Family News Weekly Podcast
The Imprint is an independent daily news outlet focused on the nation’s child welfare and youth justice systems. Since 2013, Imprint reporters have produced rigorous, in-depth reporting on the courts that process these children, youth and families; the agencies paid to serve them; and the housing, economic, mental health, and educational issues they face.
The Imprint is a publication of Fostering Media Connections (FMC), a nonprofit organization that uses the power of media and journalism to lead the conversation about children, youth and families in America.
Download FMC’s latest impact report here to learn more.
Resource List
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For CASA/EDMs
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Ask the DHS Commissioner’s Action Response Office (CARO) ***Please Note: Contacting CARO requires a prior authorization from your CASA supervisor and director. Please do not independently file a CARO report without CASA staff backing. |
The Commissioner’s Action Response Office (CARO) responds to individuals who have questions, concerns, or complaints about any services provided by DHS or it’s contracted providers, which includes our Community Umbrella Agencies (CUAs). CARO provides:
If you have a question, concern, or a complaint, please contact CARO at (215) 683-6000 or dhscaro@phila.gov.
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| The Children’s Advocacy Project of Philadelphia |
Cap4Kids will help you find many community agencies that exist to improve or enhance the lives of children, teens and families. https://cap4kids.org/philadelphia
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Common Good United Way |
Collectively improving our region through health and human services http://commongood.unitedforimpact.org/taxonomy/term/23
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| Community Behavioral Health |
CBH is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) managed care organization contracted by the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disability Services (DBHIDS) to manage the delivery of behavioral health services for Medicaid recipients of Philadelphia County.
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| COMPASS PA |
Application for Benefits https://www.compass.state.pa.us/compass.web/Public/CMPHome
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| Merakey |
Services provided pertaining to Addiction, Austism, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Emotional Support, Behavioral Health, and Foster Care Services.
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| Office of Children and Families, Dept of Human Services, Older Youth |
To assist older youth with successfully transitioning out of the foster care system, the Department of Human Services has gathered a list of resources available to them in the Philadelphia area: Education, Employment, Extended Foster Care and Re-Entry, Healthcare, Behavioral Health, Housing, Life Skills, LBGTQ+, Teen Parents, and More. https://www.phila.gov/2021-02-17-findresources-for-older-youth-aging-out-ofcare/
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| SWAN |
The Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) is a partnership among the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange, public and private adoption agencies, organizations, advocates, judges, the legal community, and foster and adoptive parents. The network is administered by DHS through a prime contractor. Toolkit is a resource guide about permanency as practiced by the Pennsylvania Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network, SWAN. http://www.adoptpakids.org/swan.aspx
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Current Foster Youth
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Achievement Independence Center (AIC) |
Youth work with AIC Coaches to create a customized service plan that will help them to achieve their goals related to: completing high school/GED, enrolling in college/vocational school, computer literacy, employment/career planning, housing, permanency and personal development. https://www.valleyyouthhouse.org/programs/life-skills-development/achievingindependence-center-aic/
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| Art Reach Access Program |
Our ACCESS Program allows Art-Reach ACCESS Cardholders and people receiving benefits from the states of Pennsylvania and Delaware to attend cultural sites for just $2! https://www.art-reach.org/accessprogram/
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Bethanna PCIT (parent child interaction therapy) |
Children ages 2-18 who have experienced stress or trauma and have behavior problems https://bethanna.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/06/PCITBrochure.pdf To refer, intake coordinator is: Marisela Montalvo 267-229-6778
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| Children’s Crisis Treatment Center (CCTC) |
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| Elwyn |
Adrienne.Buck@elwyn.org or Brandi.Selden@elwyn.org
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Juvenile Law Center |
Juvenile Law Center focuses on older youth in foster care because we know their involvement in the child welfare system presents special challenges as they navigate their teenage years and enter into young adulthood. https://jlc.org/issues/older-youth-fostercare
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| Out of School Time (OST) |
After school programs for children PreK-Grade 12:
https://www.phila.gov/services/educationlearning/find-an-after-school-or-summerprogram-for-children/
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| PACT (The Philadelphia Alliance for Child Trauma Services) |
Provides evidence-based practices for traumatized youth and their families. http://www.philadelphiapacts.org/
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| Play it Safe PHL |
Connecting children, teens, and families with activities and information.
https://www.phila.gov/programs/playitsafephl/
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| Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence WOAR |
WOAR works with survivors and their loved ones to support healing, understanding, and thriving. WOAR provides FREE trauma informed therapy services to children and adults who have experienced sexual violence. Call or Text our 24-Hour Hotline to access our services at 215-985-3333
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| Philadelphia Parks & Rec Gustine location |
Free programs for all ages for:
https://www.phila.gov/parks-recfinder/#/search/activities?term=Gustine
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| Youth Matters Philly |
Are you in foster care? Aged out of care? Experiencing homelessness or struggling to find housing, employment, health care, or other services in Philadelphia? Youth Matters: Philly is for you. This app is designed to help Philly youth find and access local resources, like shelters, housing, foodbanks, healthcare providers, and more. Life is hectic, stressful, and sometimes it can be hard to find the information you need. This app will help you connect to nearby resources and services. Use the search functions to see a map of local resources and advocates who can help you right now. https://www.youthmattersphilly.org/
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Disabilities
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Community Integrated Services (CIS) |
Our mission is to empower people with disabilities through individual employment opportunities that foster self-sustainability, equality, and community. Through partnerships with public agencies, businesses, schools, universities, and community organizations CIS works to build a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable workforce.
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| I-LEAD |
I-LEAD available and open for referrals to coach and connect youth to any college of interest + financial aid apps
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Philadelphia Parks & Rec Gustine location |
Free programs for all ages for:
https://www.phila.gov/parks-recfinder/#/search/activities?term=Gustine
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| Office of Vocational Rehab Services (OVR) |
The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain, or maintain employment. https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Disability-Services/ovr/Pages/default.aspx
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Housing
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Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) |
HAP is here to provide free legal help to individuals and families who experience or face homelessness in Philadelphia.
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| Project HOME |
The mission of the Project HOME community is to empower adults, children, and families to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, to alleviate the underlying causes of poverty, and to enable all of us to attain our fullest potential as individuals and as members of the broader society.
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The Older Youth Rental Assistance Program |
The email used is a place to start to initiate resources through Philadelphia for older youth. Email pertinent youth information to DHS_Housing@phila.gov
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| Office of Homeless Services |
The Office of Homeless Services works together with more than 60 homeless housing and service providers, as well as city, state, and federal government groups, to make up Philadelphia’s homeless service system. This system provides emergency housing and aid to people who are experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness. https://www.phila.gov/departments/office-of-homeless-services/
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| Room & Board (R&B) |
Room & Board provides financial aid and casework support, including payment for shelter, food, rent, security deposits, utilities, furniture, household items and other start-up expenses. Current and former foster youth ages 18-21. https://www.valleyyouthhouse.org/programs/transitional-housing/room-board-rb/
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| Supervised Independent Living (SIL) |
The Supervised Independent Living program supports youth in finding an apartment, signing a lease, and obtaining services such as utilities. https://www.valleyyouthhouse.org/programs/transitional-housing/supervisedindependent-living-sil-2/
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Youth Valley House |
At Valley Youth House, we do more than just provide a home for vulnerable, abused and homeless youth; we partner with thousands of individuals to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. https://www.valleyyouthhouse.org/
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Youth Aging Out
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Clarifi |
Founded over 50 years ago, Clarifi has helped more than 750,000 families throughout Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley to reach their financial goals. We believe in meeting our clients wherever they are on their financial journeys and offer non-judgmental help to keep them moving in the right direction. Our certified financial counselors can help create a budget, start savings plan, pay down debts, or even prevent a foreclosure.
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| COMPASS PA |
Application for Benefits https://www.compass.state.pa.us/compass.web/Public/CMPHome
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Financial Opportunity Center |
LISC’s financial stability programs connect low- to moderate- income families with the financial and labor market mainstream. We offer employment and career services, financial coaching and education, and low-cost financial products that build credit, savings and assets.
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| Military Info |
Resource guide for educators and counselors. https://www.todaysmilitary.com/resources-for-educators-and-counselors
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| Philadelphia Job Corps Center |
Philadelphia Job Corps will provide you with free career training so you can gain the skills and tools you need to be successful. https://philadelphia.jobcorps.gov/
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| School District Philadelphia Re-Engagement Center |
The Re-Engagement Center is a “one-stop” shop that provides counseling, direct placement services, and information leading to re-enrollment in a high school diploma or GED program. We connect students with several program types, giving students a variety of options for completing their graduation requirements. https://www.philasd.org/opportunitynetwork/reengagement/
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Education
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PA Chafee Education & Training Grant Program |
This federally funded program offers grants to Pennsylvania undergraduate students aging out of foster care who are attending an eligible postsecondary institution. https://www.pheaa.org/fundingopportunities/other-educationalaid/chafee-program.shtml
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| CHOP Career Path |
The CHOP Career Path Program is a supported employment program for individuals with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. https://www.chop.edu/centersprograms/career-path
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E3 Services |
Working with local providers to help older youth attain their educational, career, and personal goals. https://www.phila.gov/programs/e3-services/
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| Education Law Center |
The Education Law Center interacts every day with families throughout Pennsylvania asking how to protect the rights of their children to receive an opportunity to learn and succeed in school. We focus our efforts on helping to improve educational opportunities for children facing the greatest barriers in school — students with disabilities, learning English, living in poverty, or in the foster care or juvenile justice systems. Our legal and policy resources are designed to help families, school officials, policymakers, media members, and others understand education laws and policies in Pennsylvania. https://www.elc-pa.org/resources/
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| The Field Center at Penn |
The Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research is an interdisciplinary collaboration of the University of Pennsylvania’s Schools of Social Policy & Practice, Law, Medicine, Arts and Sciences, Nursing, and Education, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, whose mission is to improve the lives of victims of child abuse and neglect and those involved in the child welfare and foster care systems. https://www.fieldcenteratpenn.org/
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| School District Philadelphia Re-Engagement Center |
The Re-Engagement Center is a “one-stop” shop that provides counseling, direct placement services, and information leading to re-enrollment in a high school diploma or GED program. We connect students with several program types, giving students a variety of options for completing their graduation requirements. https://www.philasd.org/opportunitynetwork/reengagement/
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LGBTQ Support
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The Attic Youth Center |
The Attic Youth Center’s mission is to create opportunities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ) youth to develop into healthy, independent, civic-minded adults within a safe and supportive community and to promote the acceptance of LGBTQ youth in society. The Attic offers a wide range of programs and services designed to provide youth with the support and skills needed to transition into independent, thriving adults.
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| PRIDE |
Pride provides housing education, case management, and rental assistance to LGBTQ+ youth. https://www.valleyyouthhouse.org/programs/lgbtq-services/pride/
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Project Silk Lehigh Valley |
Project Silk is an LGBTQ inclusive drop-in program that is youth-led, adult-supported and offers free health services like HIV/STI testing, healthy food and snacks, active recreation, peer supports, and discussions on a variety of health and social topics. https://www.valleyyouthhouse.org/programs/lgbtq-services/project-silk-lehighvalley/
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Teen Pregnancy
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Youth Service, Inc. |
YSI offers unique programs and niche services throughout the city, including Philadelphia’s only Crisis Nursery program and the longest standing shelter in the area for runaway and homeless teens.
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Parenting
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Healthy Start Fatherhood Initiative |
Case management and group support for fathers, male partners, and other father figures. Constantino Petru Gerena
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| MOMobile Rapid Engagement Services |
Individual support for pregnant moms, new moms, their baby, and family. https://maternitycarecoalition.org/momobile/
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| Mommy’s Helping Hands through CBH |
Care coordination program with check ins twice a month for moms 18 and older for up to a year after being pregnant. https://cbhphilly.org/members/services/complex-case-management-services/ kimyatta.caffie@phila.gov
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| NFP-RISE (collaborative program with CHOP) in response to Opioid Crisis |
Partnership between Neonatal Follow Up Program (NFP) and Resilience After Infant Substance Exposure Program (RISE) offered at CHOP under division of Neonatology. Partners with social workers and caretakers in community helping support Mom during recovery process. Nicole Ellis Currently referrals only from The Hospital of University of Pennsylvania (HUP)
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| Philly Lifts |
Connect to supplies, social services (WIC), employment assistance, referral to home visiting programs, recovery support and referral to treatment. Carla Calabrese, NAS Outreach Specialist Faith Robinson, NAS Outreach Specialist Deborah Hinds, NAS Program Manager
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