2011 CASA Conference
“Children ~ Our Focus, Our Future”
August 9, 2011
Please mark your calendar and plan to join us August 9th for the 2011 CASA Conference. The annual CASA conference brings together individuals interested in making a difference in a child's life. 
This presenter this year is Jim Harris. Jim received his Bachelor of Social Work degree from Morehead State University, and his Master of Social Work degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Kentucky. He completed his Education Specialist degree with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction at Marshall University. He’s also working on his Doctoral degree from Marshall University focusing on childhood behavioral disorders. He is a Licensed Independent Social Worker Supervisor (LISW-S) in the state of Ohio, and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the state of West Virginia. He is currently in private practice at Oasis Behavioral Health Services located in Barboursville, West Virginia and owns his own consulting company named Opportunities Consulting Services, LLC. Jim is also an adjunct faculty member at Marshall University and Ohio University.
Jim has made it his life’s work to help people reach their potential. He has training and experience in treating a variety of mental health concerns including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, substance abuse, stress, marital discord, general family disruption, and childhood disorders (i.e. ADHD, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, attachment issues, etc). He has also presented at a variety of conferences on the local, state, regional, and national levels. His workshop topics range from parenting, behavior management, stress management, crisis intervention, mental health diagnoses and interventions, and improving communication. His “real world” approach to some of the toughest topics in the helping professions has made him a crowd favorite wherever he presents.
The conference will be held at the Bridgeport Conference Center in Bridgeport, WV.
For a printable version of the conference brochure, click here.
Click below to register online and pay with Credit or Debit card through e-giving.
2010 CASA Conference
Older Youth ~ Their Dreams, Not Ours
September 2, 2010
“Thank you for another great and affordable CASA conference! Very good and so well put together! Look forward to another CASA conference!
“This conference was excellent. I look forward to attending next year.”
“The food was excellent!! Snacks were great!! All of the speakers were great!!
2010 CASA Conference
“Older Youth ~ Their Dreams Not Ours”
According to the Child Welfare League of America 20,000 – 25,000 young people age out of the foster care system each year. Many of these youth do not have family or economic support
Please mark your calendar and plan to join us September 2nd for the 2010 CASA Conference to learn more helping older youth in foster care achieve their dreams. The annual CASA conference brings together individuals interested in making a difference in a child's life. Speakers include:
Chadwick Sapenter lived on the streets of San Antonio for two years. When he was 15 he and his siblings were placed into foster care. Once in a stable environment, Chadwick found success in football and academics. Chadwick credits much of his success to the many volunteers he came across while in foster care. He is a CASA Alumnus as well. Driven by instinct and the desire to succeed, Chadwick co-founded Onyx Real Estate Group, now Greylux Group, Inc., Movecraze.com, and Little Book of Words, LLC. Chadwick is a member of the Texas Supreme Court Judicial Committee for Youth, Families and Children, a member of the Child Welfare Boards Ready By 21 sub-committee, and serves on the executive board for Partnerships for Children.
Michele Bush,Executive Director of WV CASA, received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management from Virginia Tech and a Master of Science Degree in Health Care Administration from Marshall University Graduate College where she was inducted into the International Honor Society, Beta Gamma Sigma. Michele is a member of the WV Supreme Court’s Court Improvement Program Oversight Board, the Secretary/Treasurer of the WV Foster Caregiving Association, and a member of multiple other committees working to improve the lives of victims.
Michael Estrella is an alumnus of the Rhode Island foster care system. He graduated from the University of Tampa with degrees in Business Management, Finance, and Economics. As a foster youth he lived in over two dozen state placements. He co-founded the United Foster Alumni Association (UFAA) which is an alumni social network for former foster youth. As the president of UFAA he has worked to grow the Association from its conception two years ago to representation in every New England state. Most importantly he has a life time of hands on experience being a foster youth, now an alumnus putting positive change forward for all youth across the country.
Alicia McIntire is a Workshop/Training Coordinator & Program Administrative Assistant at the West Virginia University, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, Center for Excellence in Disabilities, Chafee Community Support Services Program. She is responsible for planning the annual Statewide Transitional Living Conference for youth between the ages of 16 and 21. Alicia graduated with an Associates Degree in Applied Sciences CTC at WVU Tech.
The conference will be held at the Bridgeport Conference Center in Bridgeport, WV.
For a printable version of the conference brochure, click here.
Click below to register online and pay with Credit or Debit card through e-giving.
Executive Director Jailed for Kindness
The Muscular Dystrophy Association issued a warrant for the arrest of Michele Bush, Executive Director of WV CASA. She was charged with having a Big Heart and was previously convicted for thoughtfulness and generosity. Michele was arrested on June 29th and put behind bars. Thanks to the generosity of her family, friends, and colleagues Michele successfully raised her bail and was released from jail. She wishes to thank her supporters for their kindness and generosity in supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
National CASA Grant Awards
CASA programs in West Virginia were awarded a total of $139,500 in grants from the National CASA Association. The National CASA Grants Program is supported by a cooperative agreement from the US Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, with additional support from Jewelers for Children.
West Virginia CASA Association received a state organization grant. CASA of Hampshire County and CASA for Children serving Ohio, Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties both received program expansion grants. Mineral County CASA received a new program development grant.
2009 CASA Conference
The Impact of Child Abuse: Trauma, Resiliency, & Healing
September 10, 2009
“Very good conference – location and hospitality was wonderful. Presenters were beyond words can express.” ~ Conference Participant
“Very well done and coordinated conference. Very elegant and professional atmosphere.” ~ Conference Participant
“Excellent; useful information provided in each section. One of the best conferences I’ve attended.” ~ Conference Participant
 
2009 Tour de CASA and Celebrity Tricycle Race
October 10, 2009
The Tour de CASA and Celebrity Tricycle Race was a benefit bicycle ride and tricycle race held in Huntington, WV. The event was co-sponsored by Clear Channel and occurred in conjunction with the annual Oktoberfest.
Celebrity Tricycle Race
FIRST PLACE
Ohio University Mascot
Lane sponsored by: Woelfel & Woelfel
SECOND PLACE
Melanie Shafer – WSAZ TV
Lane sponsored by: Cabell County Bar Association
THIRD PLACE
Deutsch Tänzer
Lane sponsored by: Cyrus & Adkins, Attorneys at Law
Thank you to our additional lane sponsors:
Bouchillon, Crossan, & Colburn, L.C.
Chad D. Barry, L.C.
Clear Channel Radio
C.M. Love & Company
Conway Law Firm
Duffield, Lovejoy, & Stemple
Lamp, O'dell, Bartram, Levy, & TrautWein, PLLC
Reynolds & Associates
Thank you to our additional racers:
J. Amsbary – WV CASA Association
Steve Borecky – WCHS TV
Michele Bush – WV CASA Association
Derek Levine – WKEE FM
Clint McElroy – WTCR
Brian Scott – WKEE FM
  
  
2009 CASA Conference
The Impact of Child Abuse: Trauma, Resiliency, & Healing
* There were 2,735 child abuse and neglect petitions filed in 2007 an increase from 2,328 in 2006.
* At the end of 2008 there were 2,771 West Virginia children in foster care due to abuse and neglect.
P lease mark your calendar and plan to join us September 10th for the 2009 CASA Conference to learn more about the impact of domestic violence and child abuse from the perspective of a survivor. The annual CASA conference brings together individuals interested in making a difference in a child's life.
This year's conference will be opened by Miss West Virginia Talia Markham. Ms. Markham is a trained CASA Volunteer and a strong advocate for abused and neglected children. 
The remainder of the training will be provided by Olga Trujillo. Ms. Trujillo is an attorney and a former US Department of Justice employee who is also a survivor of child sexual abuse and rape. She has undertaken a journey to understand the impact the violence has had on her life – from the sexual violence she suffered as a child to the rapes she endured as an adult. Through her presentation she unravels the connections between the coping skills she learned early in life and her vulnerability to rape and sexual violence as an adult. Her experience is inexplicably horrible but her survival is unbelievably hopeful. She details the results of her journey so far – and ties her resiliency to the people in her life that helped her, protected her and saved her life without ever realizing it. Through her experience as a survivor and an attorney, she offers insight into what it means to be a survivor, what we can do to prevent further victimization and recognize what we all do to help survivors.
The conference will be held at the Bridgeport Conference Center in Bridgeport, WV.
Click below to register online and pay with Credit or Debit card through e-giving.
2009 Tour de CASA and Celebrity Tricycle Race
October 10, 2009
  
The Tour de CASA is a benefit bicycle ride to be held at Pullman Square in Huntington. The event will include a 20 mile and 40 mile ride. In addition, there will be a Celebrity Tricycle Ride. The event is sponsored by West Virginia CASA, Western Regional CASA, and Clear Channel and will occur in conjunction with the annual Oktoberfest. For more information call (888) 549-2272.
2008 CASA Conference
"Our Children, Our Future"
October 2, 2008
“We all need meetings such as this conference and need to better integrate all agencies, volunteers, legal representatives if we are to truly have an impact. It has to be a systemic change.” ~ Conference Participant
“It proved our children are our future. We cannot throw them away we have to look out for them, guide them in truth and light.” ~ Conference Participant
“I’m going back to my colleagues ready to apply what I have learned – excellent real life examples.” ~ Conference Participant
Please check back at a later date for information on the 2009 CASA Conference.
  
  
2008 Tour de CASA
October 4, 2008
The Tour de CASA was a benefit bicycle ride held in Huntington, WV. The event was co-sponsored by Clear Channel and occurred in conjunction with the annual Oktoberfest.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Cabell County Bar Association
Cabell Huntington Hospital Trauma Center
Children First
Children’s Place, Inc.
Clear Channel Radio
Jeff’s Bike Shop
Graphic Solutions
Pain Care PLLC
WV Alliance for Drug Endangered Children
2008 Celebrity Tricycle Race
The Celebrity Tricycle Race was held in conjunction with Tour de CASA.
FIRST PLACE
Jim Davis – 100KEE fm
Lane sponsored by: Toy Train, Inc.
SECOND PLACE
Steve Borecky – WCHS TV
Lane sponsored by: Mintzer, Sarowitz, Zeris, Ledva, & Meyers, Attorneys at Law
THIRD PLACE
Dee DeLancey – WOWK TV
Lane sponsored by: Duffield & Lovejoy, Attorneys at Law
Thank you to our additional lane sponsors:
Cabell County Bar Association
Cabell Huntington Hospital Trauma Center
Clear Channel Radio
C.M. Love & Company
Conway Law Firm
Jeff’s Bike Shop
R. Steven Jarrell, Attorney at Law
Vital & Vital, Attorneys at Law
Woelfel & Woelfel, Attorneys at Law
Thank you to our additional racers:
Christian Alexanderson – Herald Dispatch
Michele Bush – WV CASA Association
Bill Cornwell – 800 WVHU
David Felinton – Mayor of Huntington 2001-2008
Jason King – B97.1 fm
Clint McElroy – WTCR
  
The 2009 Tour de CASA and the Celebrity Tricycle Race will be held in Huntington on October 3rd. Please check back at a later date for more information.
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