Farrar also shared how one of TN CASA’s most notable achievements is that since 2006, the number of CASA programs and counties being served has doubled. Today there are 29 programs serving 47 counties and, in calendar year 2013, there were 1245 volunteers advocating for 5200 children. TN CASA’s goal still remains the same - to provide a CASA for every child by 2020.
Following Farrar, attendees also heard from Dodd White, Regional Program Officer with National CASA. White was able to shed light on the data compiled at the national level of how Tennessee compares regarding its number of CASA volunteers, children served and cost per child. “Tennessee is known nationally for the strength and cohesiveness of its network. This spring, Tennessee was awarded all eight of the proposed grants submitted to National CASA for a total of $205,500.”
Closing the morning session, Tawny Spinelli, Children’s Cabinet Assistant Director, introduced the Cabinet’s latest project called KidCentral TN. In her presentation, she informed everyone about the benefits and usefulness of the website to the work of a CASA volunteer. Workshops this year covered several topics of interest to staff, board members and volunteers, including legislative advocacy, Independent Living, assessment planning, organizational sustainability, and adolescent development, to name a few.
