On this episode, Tracey and Jeff discussed how critical funding is for Court Appointed Special Advocates for foster youth, and how there are significant federal cuts being made that will adversely impact the nonprofit. The realities of where funding for CASA is headed are sobering, which will be detrimental to children and families. How will CASA programs throughout the United States raise funds, and will services need to be cut down the road? What we do know is that support of CASA is a must for youth living in foster care.

On this episode, Tracey and Jeff discuss the admiration and appreciation they, and the CASA team, have for all of the volunteers who make CASA possible. They talked about how being a CASA volunteer isn't the easiest volunteer opportunity in the world, yet there is dedication to children and their needs in our community. They discussed CASA SHaW's Volunteer Appreciation event and how many partners come together to make the CASA experience possible.

On this episode, Tracey and Jeff dive into how we can and should nurture birth parent connections within the foster care world and realm. Having compassion for biological parents who have lost their children to foster care should be a prevalent thought and action in the CASA space. Having a "gotcha mentality" when communicating with biological parents isn't always the most productive for kids as the parents are going through their own trauma. It's a great and honest discussion.

On this episode, Tracey and Jeff discussed how every role matters for children who are living in the foster care system. From resource parents to caseworkers, to school personnel to family court judges - and yes, CASA volunteers - every single role matters for a child as they are navigating the rough waters of the child welfare system.

On this episode, Tracey and Jeff talk about planting seeds of hope for children and how the CASA experience encapsulates this notion. While the CASA journey is one that takes patience, giving hope to children is the goal - because we want kids to not just survive, but thrive! This can be done in small ways, and also larger ways. Consistency is always the key to planting seeds of hope.

On this episode, we dove into the foundational principals of CASA - ethics and boundaries. Our Advocate Supervisor, Cynthia Jagnanden, joined Jeff this week for a great discussion about why ethics and boundaries so important to the CASA model overall. In this realm, CASA volunteers need to walk a fine line. What are some ways for CASA volunteers to build relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries within their case? While confidentiality is a major component of the CASA model, what should CASA volunteers do if friends or family ask about their casa? All of this and much more this week!

Our amazing guest this week, Jeanette Yoffe, wrote a fantastic piece in Psychology Today titled "How Stress is Contagious in Trauma-Impacted Families." Overall, this article details the effects of a parent's stress inevitably becoming a child's stress. How can we use the "power of the pause" to handle the stress we feel? How does paying attention to what our body tells us an important aspect of honing in on stressful situations? All of this and much more during this great conversation.

Learn more about Jeanette Yoffe and check out her YouTube channel here for a ton of great resources.

On this episode, Tracey and Jeff talk about understanding the concepts of fight or flight - and they also sprinkle in some freeze and fawn talk. How does trauma impact youth in foster care, and consequently, how do they react when triggered or re-traumatized? Is it fight? Is it flight? How does guilt, shame, and fear come into the equation? We get into it in this episode.