Episode 11: The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Grease!

Welcome back to The Child Advocacy Podcast!

Today's episode is all about speaking up and speaking out for abused and neglected children. In our first segment, we talk about how to effectively speak up in court for the children on our caseload.

Nerves! We all have them, we all get them, especially when we go to court. Short of applying extra layers of antiperspirant, what can you do to remain calm and centered?

1. Breathe in through your nose for two beats, hold two beats, breathe out through your mouth two beats. Closing your eyes while doing this is even better.

2. Listen to soothing music or a positive podcast.

3. Visualize yourself as calm and composed.

4. Talk to your Advocate Coordinator about your feelings.

5. Remember the child. What is in THEIR best interest? Speak up for them.

In the next segment, we talk about how to write effective, actionable recommendations in your Report to the Court. Your most important job is to check out leads, collect facts, and leave no stone unturned in your efforts to represent the best interests of children. Can you tell the difference between the following recommendations?

CASA thinks Johnny should receive remedial math services.

Based on his report card and the D he has in math, CASA recommends that Johnny receive tutoring in math and that he attend a summer course at Mathnasium in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

And in our final segment, Angela talks about how to handle working with people who don't necessarily want CASA on a case or who refuse to stay in touch with CASA volunteers. Find out how CASA volunteers are like sandpaper.

If you have a question or a topic you'd like to hear more about, email us at info@casaneok.org.

Listening to this episode and reading the attachments in the show notes is worth one hour of in-service credit.

Melissa can be reached at melissa@casaneok.org and Angela can be reached at angela@casaneok.org.

The Child Advocacy Podcast is a production of Woodruff Media Management and CASA of Northeast Oklahoma. All content in this podcast and show notes is intended for volunteers and employees of CASA of Northeast Oklahoma, Inc. If you've tuned in to the podcast from an area outside of the 11th, 12th, or 13th Judicial Districts of Oklahoma, please consult your own CASA program for direction and local policies and procedures. This podcast is designed for private, internal use as an in-service for CASA volunteers and prospective volunteers and is not intended for external usage.

Thanks for listening!