CASA's response to COVID-19
With the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to Virginia, CASA of Central Virginia has been forced to drastically change procedures for the health and safety of the children we serve as well as our volunteers and staff. We must balance the need to provide quality advocacy for children while limiting social interaction and contact. Below is a list of temporary procedure changes, event/training updates, and resources. Things are changing rapidly so we will provide updates to this on our website.
Temporary Procedure Changes
OFFICE CLOSURE
The central office and all satellite offices will be closed through April 6 (this may be extended). Staff are working from home and are available by email and cell phone. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need anything.
CHILD VISITS
Effective immediately, volunteers are to suspend all in-person visits with their assigned child/children and families until April 6 (this may be extended). You must still stay in contact but in another manner such as telephone calls, video chats, texts, etc. We ask that you get creative. There are numerous apps that you could explore such as FaceTime, Google Hangouts, WhatsApp, and Skype. This will not always be effective or practical especially when you are assigned to a small child. But this is critical for the health and safety of everyone involved. For small children, please maintain regular contact with their caregiver through video or phone calls.
CASE MEETINGS
Volunteers are to suspend all in-person meetings with GALs, social workers, etc. Please continue your advocacy but through email, phone, etc.
COURT HEARINGS
Volunteers and staff are to stop attending court in-person. CASA volunteers may join their hearing via conference call. Please touch base with your advocate manager before your hearing for instructions. Court reports should still be submitted on time.
Events, Training, & Information Sessions
CASA BLANCA GALA
The CASA Blanca Gala has been moved from April 3 to October 16. If you purchased a ticket before the date change and cannot attend this new date, please contact us by March 31 to receive a refund. Or you may choose to donate your ticket price to CASA.
CASA SHOE SALE
The Shoe Sale committee is currently working to determine the best course of action for this event. More details are coming soon.
PRE-SERVICE TRAINING
Volunteers-in-training will finish their classes via Zoom video conferencing. Your training facilitators will send instructions for the final two classes on March 25 and April 1. Our staff will work with the court to determine how to proceed with the induction ceremony.
IN-SERVICE TRAINING
All in-service training workshops are either being postponed or moved to an online webinar format. Check here for updates.
CASA QUARTERBACKS
The CASA Quarterbacks Draft Party scheduled for March 26 has been canceled.
INFORMATION SESSIONS
All previously scheduled in-person information sessions have been canceled. We will set new dates and offer them in a webinar format through Zoom. New web-based information sessions will be listed here once scheduled.
Resources
COVID-19 FACTS, STATS, AND RESOURCES FOR STAYING SAFE AND HEALTHY
TALKING TO CHILDREN
If you are feeling anxious about the spread of the coronavirus, imagine how a child who has been affected by trauma might feel. Use these resources to help explain the virus in a child-friendly way.
How to Talk to Your Child about the Coronavirus, Kids Health
Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource, National Association of School Psychologists
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Helping Children Understand COVID-19, A coloring book by Manuela Molina - @MINDHEART.KIDS
MEALS
Students:
Adults and Families: Daily Bread FREE "To Go" Meals (Open to All, No IDs required):
Every day at 721 Clay St., Lynchburg 10:50am-12:20pm
Altavista - Mondays & Thursdays at 11:30am at English Park
Appomattox- Mondays at 11am at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church
Rustburg - Tuesdays at 11:30am at Silver Grove Baptist
Bedford - Wednesdays at 10am at Raintree Village
Pamplin - Saturdays at 9:30am at the ball fields
Other Lynchburg distributions:
James Crossing - Wednesdays at noon
Templeton Senior Center - Thursdays at 11am
Dearington - Fridays at 11:30am
Birchwood - Fridays at Noon
AT-HOME LEARNING
If you want to give your child some activities to keep them learning while school is out, check out these free resources curated by The Today Show.
OTHER NEEDS
United Way’s 211 Information and Referral service can help connect you and your family to a service in the community. Simply dial 2-1-1 or visit their website.