Tennessee CASA Offers First Ever Statewide Conference

The first statewide Tennessee CASA conference was held on Friday, May 3 at the Nashville First Church of the Nazarene.  Around 160 volunteers, staff, and board members attended with 25 programs represented from across the state.  The overall theme of the conference centered on the “I am for the child” campaign since we believe that the children we serve should be kept as the focal point of all we do.

Representing the National CASA Association were Sally Erny, Chief Program Officer, and Dodd White, Southern Regional Program Officer.  Erny addressed the group in the opening session stating, “CASA volunteers and CASA programs are like tiny springs of hope for children...and they are bubbling up all around the state (TN). Right before our eyes, our springs of hope are pooling and making something very big and wonderful for children across Tennessee.”

During the afternoon luncheon, keynote speaker Tawny Spinelli discussed the realities of growing up in foster care and how important it was to have people holding her to high expectations.  She is now a Vanderbilt University graduate and a Davidson County CASA volunteer.  She stated, “One person can be the difference between making it and giving up.”

Peer advocates appointed by the Administrative Office of the Courts to serve with the Specialized Foster Care Review Boards, which review cases of older youth in foster care, shared about the importance of having a specialized board and providing foster youth with valuable information on the benefits of extension services.  Each advocate gave advice and helpful insight on ways to more positively interact with older youth as they prepare to transition into adulthood.

Tennessee CASA is thankful to all those who attended the conference this year.  Attendees expressed their appreciation for this opportunity to come together as a network to share ideas, experiences, and wisdom.  We are especially grateful to our speakers for lending their time and sharing their expertise.  A special thanks also goes to our exhibitors and to Just Love Coffee Roasters for donating their specialty Fair Trade coffee.  We believe this year’s conference was an overall success, and we look forward to planning next year’s!