Two Important Messages

 I am passing along important messages from OHIO CASA and the Supreme Court of Ohio.

As you are aware, Rule 48 of the Ohio Supreme Court Rules of Superintendence created new training requirements for attorney GALs and CASA/GALs. The Supreme Court of Ohio offers courses for Continuing legal Education (CLE) courses that fulfill this requirement for attorney GALs. These courses are designed with attorneys in mind and currently, there are very limited space in these classes for  attorney GALs.

The Supreme Court of Ohio has asked that CASA/GALS do not attend the CLE courses that they offer.  We ask you to respect this request from the Supreme Court and remind you that OHIO CASA and CASA of Franklin County will continue to offer courses that fulfill the annual 3 hour requirement for CASA/GALs.

We are holding several in-service trainings in April that will fulfill the Rule 48 requirements. Every volunteer will be required to attend at least one of these trainings. The trainings will offer complete updates on Rule 48, training on use of the new Court Report, an introduction to a revised Monthly Update form and the opportunity to sign all annual forms (which is also a requirement of Rule 48.)  You will hear more about the trainings in the very near future as we are still compiling all of the compliance information.

Additionally, we wanted to share more information about OHIO CASA. OHIO CASA is an excellent organization, and membership is open to our volunteers.

Membership is $25 dollars and the membership form is attached to this email.  Among many other benefits, OHIO CASA offers an e-newsletter and Volunteer Corner.   Our volunteer focus groups widely stated that volunteers would love a way to communicate with each other.   While the Volunteer Corner is not necessarily interactive, it is an excellent format for volunteers around the state to share their input and suggestions for dealing with situations that all CASA GALs may encounter in their role as a CASA Volunteer. This month’s question is:

 “What are the best methods you’ve found for dealing with a resistant information source (ex. Kin placement that doesn’t feel you should be intruding OR a therapist that doesn’t understand why you have access to information)?

Responses can be sent to andi@ohiocasa.org

All members will receive the e-newsletter from Ohio CASA.  If you are not ready to join, but would like to be on their mailing list, please contact OHIO CASA at ohiocasa@ohiocasa.org.

At CASA of Franklin County we are continually trying to be attentive to your wants and needs and this Volunteer Corner provides a way for volunteers to share experiences. 

Please contact us if you need more information on either of these topics.

Thank you again for all the work you do for abused and neglected children of Franklin County!