Archive for the 'Links To Helpful Orgs' Category

The Evolution of CASA volunteering

Published
by
Mike Tikkanen
on July 24, 2010
in Invisible Children and Links To Helpful Orgs
. 0 Comments

When I began as a CASA volunteer there were not many sanctioned ways to help the struggling children I was working with. Many restrictions applied (children were not allowed in my car, no hamburgers, no toys, etc).

I understood the liability issues but could not abide by so many fearful regulations and did generally what seemed like the right thing to do for the very unhappy and disoriented child in my caseload.

Today I see more and more CASA programs thinking outside the box and providing ways for their volunteers to get more involved with the youth they serve as this Voices For Children Program in California demonstrates

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jul/22/volunteers-act-parents-foster-children-never-had/

Looking back at the overly stressed child protection system I volunteered in, children need a consistent caring adult in their lives.

For several of the children in my caseloads, I was that person as the other adults (social workers, foster parents, educators and health care people people) came and went over the years.

As economic chaos continues to shrink nonprofit & community resources for abused and neglected children, the need for CASA volunteers, staff, and directors to build successful programs that can put a consistent caring adult into the life of the children they serve is ever greater.

CASA is most often the only voice a child has once in our overburdened court system. The program is perfect for discovering people that want to help children. Do you support the CASA program in your community?

Many new and useful possibilities are being provided to children caught up in the child protection system as organizations like CASA to fill these needs.

Often, the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is the only consistent adult in the child’s life and can make a world of difference just by being there.

CASA Minnesota
CASA National

Voices4children.com
CASA volunteers are making a huge difference in the lives of abused children. Tell your friends.
Continue reading ‘The Evolution of CASA volunteering’

Adoptees Have Answers New Website Launch

Published
by
Mike Tikkanen
on May 14, 2010
in Links To Helpful Orgs
. 0 Comments

http://aha.mn is an exciting new program to promote connections among adopted individuals of all ages, ethnicities and adoption types while maximizing their lifelong welfare and self-fulfillment

AHA believes…

…being adopted has lifelong consequences for those who were adopted at any age
…adoptees benefit from connecting with other adoptees in a variety of ways
…adoptees are the experts on adoption
…non-adoptees benefit from the knowledge and life wisdom of adopted individuals.

Congratulations on making a great idea come to life. Continue reading ‘Adoptees Have Answers New Website Launch’

Adoptees Have Answers…and lots of questons

Published
by
Mike Tikkanen
on April 11, 2010
in Links To Helpful Orgs and education
. 0 Comments

Minnesota Adoption Resource Network (Marn) is launching an inspired program that should become a national model for dealing with foster and adoptive care. Ten adoptees from diverse ethnic backgrounds have combined their wisdom & energy to provide adoptee-to-adoptee training, connections and resources.

A calender full of adoptee-focused events, support groups, website, networking and discussion tools.

Wow. This is a heartfelt and logical pooling of talent and concern that could make a world of difference to a world full of adoptees.

Best wishes to everyone in this grand new venture. Read their newsletter;
Continue reading ‘Adoptees Have Answers…and lots of questons’

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Published
by
Mike Tikkanen
on March 27, 2010
in Events and Links To Helpful Orgs
. 0 Comments

Prevent Child Abuse MN holds its Healing Fields event from April 29th to May 2nd at the Minnesota State Capitol. The theme of the field is “The Future of America Depends on Healthy Children”.

One thousand American Flags and a field of blue pinwheels for prevention. There will be a candlelight vigil on Friday evening and a music and speaker program on Sunday afternoon.

The field will be open to the community for informal tours all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until the program starts at 2pm.

go to PCAMN’s site http://www.pcamn.org/temp_01.php?PK=84

The Volunteer Spirit

Published
by
Mike Tikkanen
on March 21, 2010
in Kids At Risk Action (KARA) and Links To Helpful Orgs
. 1 Comment

The CASA program I came through is a terrific volunteer program that connects volunteers to abused and neglected children in their community. CASA provides a great learning experience as well as a badly needed service to children unlucky enough to be born into tragic circumstances.

KARA has had the good fortune of having volunteers from Century College & Macalaster College to find information for me to write about and to research information on child abuse in other nations.

Volunteering is a powerful force at times like these, when young families are struggling, and more children are at risk.

To make volunteering work, it is best to do things that you like to do, for people that need it. The results are terrific.

Don’t be afraid to provide services through your own efforts (perhaps with the help of your local religious or business organizations). Small efforts become big if fed and sustained.

What follows is my quick list of child friendly organizations that need volunteers and articles on volunteering (to start the thought process).

Continue reading ‘The Volunteer Spirit’

Be A Part of Reforming America’s Child Protection System

Published
by
Mike Tikkanen
on February 3, 2010
in Invisible Children and Links To Helpful Orgs
. 0 Comments

Child Welfare League of America is devoted entirely to the well-being of America’s vulnerable children.

Listen, Talk, Learn;

Their program broadcasts on the Internet every Wednesday, 2:00-2:30 pm ET. The call-in number is 347/326-9411. Visit www.blogtalkradio.com/CWLA-Radio.

On the Line with CWLA is a thought-provoking, interactive, live Internet radio program focusing on subjects, stories, and strategies of special interest to child welfare policymakers, providers, and practitioners. The program, devoted solely to discussions about the welfare of America’s vulnerable children, features a forum where numerous points of view and voices of experience within the child welfare universe can be heard.

The live program, hosted by CWLA Vice President for Policy and Public Affairs Linda Spears, is a production of CWLA that will provide a platform for CWLA member organizations, their staffs, its partners, and concerned citizens in the national community to share ideas and thoughts about critical issues that affect child welfare agencies, vulnerable children and teens, and their families.

The weekly subject-oriented, solutions-driven program broadcasts online at www.blogtalkradio.com/CWLA-Radio, Wednesdays, 2:00-2:30 pm ET and feature indepth, timely discussions with leading child welfare experts, agents, and advocates; leadership and representatives from CWLA’s member agencies; and local and national political figures working to improve child welfare and give a voice to child welfare professionals, providers, and practitioners nationwide.

On the Line with CWLA is a production of the CWLA, Arlington Virginia

Voices For Children Foundation Announces Their 2010 Be A Voice Feel the Magic Gala with Special Cirque Du Soleil Performers

Published
by
Mike Tikkanen
on January 29, 2010
in Guardian ad-Litem, Invisible Children, Links To Helpful Orgs and Public Policy
. 0 Comments

This very determined organization ensures that every abused, abandoned, and neglected child in their county has a court appointed guardian Ad Litem to represent their best interests.

Every county in every state needs to know about the guardian Ad Litem program and how it helps at risk children through the difficult system of child protection services.

It is to all our benefit when children thrive in our communities. Children can only thrive if they are given a fair chance to thrive.

Without court appointed guardians, abused and neglected children are voiceless in our communities. For the CASA guardian ad litem program in your state, http://www.nationalcasa.org/, for Florida; www.casa-stpete.org/, for CASA Minnesota http://www.casamn.org/

Continue reading ‘Voices For Children Foundation Announces Their 2010 Be A Voice Feel the Magic Gala with Special Cirque Du Soleil Performers’

National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse

Published
by
Mike Tikkanen
on January 22, 2010
in Crime and Courts, Links To Helpful Orgs and Public Policy
. 0 Comments

In my own experience as a guardian ad-Litem, it is better to heal the family when possible, but I have seen cases where adults have had license to abuse children year after year without penalty. This organization provides training for the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children; http://www.ndaa.org/

In 1985, the National District Attorneys Association established the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse as a program of the American Prosecutors Research Institute (APRI). Aimed at responding to an increasing volume of reported child abuse, the National Center provides training, technical assistance and publications to prosecutors, investigators and allied criminal justice professionals on all aspects of criminal child abuse and exploitation. Continue reading ‘National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse’

AARP and CASA

Published
by
Mike Tikkanen
on August 3, 2009
in Guardian ad-Litem, Kids At Risk Action (KARA) and Links To Helpful Orgs
. 0 Comments

Sept/Oct AARP Magazine coverSee the article in the September/October 2009 issue of AARP magazine titled People Helping People: Profiles of people who volunteer and give back to their communities by Michelle Diament. It features a volunteer with the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association.

So when Harris retired four years ago from the federal government in Fulton County, Georgia, the idea of working for a child-advocacy program seemed a perfect way to continue healing herself while helping others struggle with traumatic losses. As a volunteer for the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association, Harris assists abused, abandoned, or neglected children who are in foster care for their protection, then makes recommendations to the court about how to salvage their futures.

Read the entire article: People Helping People: Profiles of people who volunteer and give back to their communities.

MN day care

It is a bigger step to convince people that healthy children become healthy citizens, but it is true.

Minnesota Reading Corps

Published
by
Mike Tikkanen
on May 19, 2009
in Health and Mental Health, Invisible Children, Kids At Risk Action (KARA), Links To Helpful Orgs and Public Policy
. 0 Comments

Minnesota Reading Corps is a statewide initiative to help every Minnesota child become a successful reader by the end of 3rd grade.

AmeriCorps logo.The program places AmeriCorps members in sites to implement a researched-based early-literacy effort tohelp struggling readers. The Reading Corps strategies are designed for both preschool-aged students and Kindergarten–3rd grade students.

Summer Training Registration

Become a Member

Learn what it takes to serve for one year as a Minnesota Reading Corps member.
» Read more…

Become a Site

Learn how your school can get involved with Minnesota Reading Corps.
» Read more…

Become a Volunteer

Learn about volunteer opportunities at Minnesota Reading Corps sites.
» Read more…