Vigilant Voices™ hosted by Jeannine Panzera and Kristin Blalock from Henrico CASA
In our work at CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. And that’s what this podcast is all about. Each podcast episode is aimed at providing education and training to help our listeners be more effective advocates for children. Join us as we explore topics relevant to creating safe homes, healthy childhoods, and thriving communities... because every child deserves a safe, healthy, loving home for good.
Episodes
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. In today's conversation with Shelly Shuman-Johnson of Henrico County’s Victim Witness Assistance Program, we will learn about how her team works to give victims a voice and reduce the psychological trauma associated with being a victim of a crime.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to ...
Children need protection... in the physical world and the virtual world, too. As technology advances - with AI and whatever comes next - one thing remains the same: children need caring adults to walk alongside them and guide them.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Follo...
Children need protection... in the physical world and the virtual world, too. When we work together, we can keep them safe in both!
In this episode, Kristin recommends the book Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Check it out here.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families to ensure NO child faces abuse, neglect, or trauma. Fol...
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Beth Bonniwell, Henrico County Police Division's Domestic Violence Coordinator. Beth's visit is timely, as October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, support survivors, and work towards prevention.
In this episode, Beth mentions an article she authored outlining how to safely i...
Foster Care is a short term solution for children in crisis. The three potential long-term outcomes for these children are reunification, kinship care, or adoption. Of the three, reunification is generally preferred IF SAFE because studies show children do best when with their family... but a successful reunification takes a village!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW abo...
Children find their identities within the context of family. That is why kinship care can be a great outcome for a child who cannot safely remain with their parents - it offers a vital sense of belonging. But kinship care may also bring unique challenges... Listen and learn how you can help strengthen families by supporting kinship caregivers.
Explore the Virginia Kinship Resource Guide to learn more about the needs of kinship care...
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Amy Johnson, Henrico County Public School's Mental Health Clinical Supervisor. Amy is a passionate advocate for children and young adults, helping them overcome barriers and achieve their full potential.
Learn more about all of the services available to HCPS students under the umbrella of their Student Support ...
It is vital for teenagers to learn and develop outside of school. They are at a critical crossroads, about to transition into adulthood. Beyond academics, there are so many life skills to gain!
Join us as we discuss what you can teach teens and how important it is to be their encouragers!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families...
Parents are children's first teachers. But what happens when a parent isn't able to step into that role? Learn more about how we can help fill the gap to support early learning for children.
There are great early learning resources at our local library! Find the location nearest you to see what they have going on this summer.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the ...
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome our very own Suzanne Harrison, Henrico CASA's Community Engagement Coordinator. Suzanne is working her first case as a trained CASA Advocate and enthusiastically shares her experience so far!
Learn more about the Advocate Role and register for an upcoming information session at HenricoCASA.org/Advocate/ .
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Discipline isn't just about correction, especially for kids who have experienced trauma. Positive discipline allows for connection, in addition to instruction. Join us as we continue our discussion on age appropriate methods of positive discipline, focusing on older children and teens.
And be sure to check out the Golden Rules of Discipline published by Today's Parent.
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Discipline isn't just about correction, especially for kids who have experienced trauma. Positive discipline allows for connection, in addition to instruction. Join us as we discuss age appropriate methods of positive discipline for the toddlers and young children in our lives.
This fact sheet published by the American Psychological Association is a great tool!
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned th...
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Barry Martin, President and Creative Director of The Idea Center. We have no doubt you will be inspired by Barry's story and take-away that "everybody has something to give."
Barry and his team have collaborated with Henrico CASA to create many videos that convey our mission and impact. Here is one o...
Every family situation is unique... But in our work as CourtAppointed Special Advocates, we often see commonalities among our cases. Today, we discuss three all too common issues that are cited in our cases:
- Domestic Violence,
- Housing Instability, and the
- Absence of a Parent.
Listen. Learn. And consider how YOU could help connect a family with the resources these need. A great first step is to visit Virginia 211!
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Every family situation is unique... But in our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we often see commonalities among our cases. Today, we discuss two specific issues that are cited in more than half of our cases: Mental Health Issues and Substance Use Disorders.
Listen. Learn. And consider how YOU could become part of the solution by volunteering as an Advocate! We have a virtual information session coming up on May 20. Regis...
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children. Today, we welcome Jody Alexander, Chief Executive Officer at YMCA of Greater Richmond. Jody shares how she is personally connected to the YMCA's mission AND how she then carries out that mission in RVA.
Click here to find your local YMCA and see what opportunities they have to build your spirit, mind, and body!
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You story matters. Your story can influence and inspire others. Today, we share Ashley Rhodes-Courter's story... because she so moved us during her key-note speech at Henrico CASA's recent 30th Anniversary Celebration.
We encourage you to watch Ashley's full demo video here.
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In our work as Court Appointed Special Advocates, we’ve learned that it’s important to KNOW about the challenges facing children and families ...
Respect is defined as 'due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.' Showing respect may look differently depending on with whom you are interacting.
In today's episode, we boil showing respect down to a simple mantra: Listen. Check tone. Watch words. Give it a try!
We also encourage you to check out our 2025 Home for Good playhouses before it's too late! Every $10 donation you make to Henrico CASA between no...
There are many 'Vigilant Voices' in our community, speaking up for the wellbeing of children.... especially within our local Henrico County Public School system. Today, we welcome Mac Beaton, Director of Career and Technical Education, to talk about finding our students' WHY!
Learn more about Henrico's CTE program here AND see the playhouse built by Mac's CTE students on our Home for Good® webpage. Every $10 donation you make to He...
Celebrating our wins is a positive form of selfcare! When we pause to recognize successes, big or small, we boost our mood, confidence, and resilience.
We invite you to celebrate CASA wins with us every month through our Mission Moment email stories. Sign-up to received these messages as a monthly reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together to protectchildren and help them write the next chapters in their lives.
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