• Judy Goodnow was in Maine, unfortunately had a furnace problem and may have to leave the meeting early.
• Chris Parkinson is in Jupiter, Florida and heading to Islamorada. Chris wanted to communicate with Gerry Carrier and Mark Lavalle regarding Honduras team transfer to Logan. Concerning the amount of luggage going with them - addition vehicle was likely.
• Barb Griffin shared a happy $5 for her grandson Hunter, a John Stark wrestler, who won his match.
• Dick Swett had a update on his grandson's hockey playing, playing for John Stark. They are 10 -1. He passed his hundredth point of goals and assists.
• Tanya Frost thanked Tamer Roberts for helping with the Boys and Girls Club 8- to 13-year-olds present a speech contest who are judged by strangers. This year there were 11 sites, 24 kids, and 35 judges. Also, was present to hear Annie McLean-Custer and Justice James Bassett speaking about their lives and careers. They emphasized that people don't always have to agree to maintain friendships.
• Ken Moulton recognized the passing of Lee Harrington, a friend of Bow Rotary. Lee Harrington supported the Rotary auction for about a dozen years by providing new items for the Scholarship Auction. He created the Harrington Catalog and was based out of Londonderry. Lee was given a Paul Harris Fellow from the Bow Rotary Club.
• Ben Kiniry recognized that he was comfortable in bed due to the cold weather and forgot his responsibility to bring the fruit for breakfast.
  Ben’s son was given incorrect instructions by someone in the Navy office regarding paperwork. As a result, he is owed $20,000. Ben wrote a letter to legislators about the situation; Jean Shaheen is looking into the matter.
• Eric Anderson also reminded folks about 2 open positions on Budget Committee
• Mike Griffin is excited about the recent snowfall. He and his wife Brenda are visiting their son Andrew and his wife Hannah in Bartlett, NH. They plan on skiing at Attitash.
• Linda Bliss - had to shovel for 4 hour so next time, she plans on calling Mike Griffin.
• Mike Gula went on a trip to Zermatt, Switzerland with his daughter. Zermatt is a small ski village at the base of the Swiss Alps, near the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn is 15,672ft tall. No cars are allowed in the village due to emissions. They skied up to a glacier at 12,000ft and explored 360 kilometers of ski country. They skied over the border into Italy and back. Mike had shingles just before the trip but was well enough to make the trip.
• Tamar Robers wished Paul Mercier Happy birthday. Congratulated Judy Goodnow on her election at church. Also thanked Tanya Frost for being part of the mini four-way speech contest with kids.
• Gerry Carrier Thankful for heated car seats. Also looking for some ideas for the transportation of volunteers and luggage to Boston.

• Katie Pelczar presented more about CASA NH:
• The vision: "a world where every abused or neglected child is given the opportunity to thrive in a safe, permanent and nurturing home."
• CASA recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers to advocate for children in abuse and neglect cases.
• CASA started in Seattle, Washington.
  • A judge saw an unmet need and thought volunteers could advocate for children.
  • Now a nationwide program.
• CASA NH is a statewide program.
  • Staff work together and share resources throughout the state
  • CASA volunteers are guardian ad Litem.
  • 40 hours of training in child advocacy, abuse, and neglect.
  • Specialists in child abuse and neglect become the case historians who commit to the life of the case. Become the only person on the case from start to finish.
  • Although the Social workers, attorneys, and judges may change. The CASA volunteers are the eyes and ears of the judge.
  • Provide vital factual information for the judge to make the best decision for the child.
• Over 900 CASA programs in 49 states.
• CASA of NH started in 1989, with 10 volunteers and started in two courts: Manchester and Hooksett.
• CASA volunteers meet with a child monthly, while paid guardian ad Litems only meet once during the case.
• With teens, CASA volunteers meet twice a month due to the fast-changing nature of their lives.
• CASA volunteers are not DCYF, lawyers, paid guardian ad Litems, or social workers.
• When starting a case, CASA volunteers explain to the parents that they are not DCYF and are there to help the child.

CASA Responsibilities and Focus

• CASA volunteers are not responsible for financial, medical, health decisions, or legal matters concerning the child.
• The most important word is "permanency."
• CASA volunteers make recommendations, big and small, for the child, with the ultimate goal of a safe, permanent home.

Permanency Options

• First hope: Family reunification. CASA makes recommendations about what the parent needs to do to safely reunify with their child.
• Second best option: Adoption.
• Other options: Long-term guardianship (with family or kinship placement) or APLA (another planned permanent living arrangement), often for teens.
• CASA remains on the case until the judge closes the case or the teen ages out.

Factors in CASA Cases

• Cases often involve substance misuse, domestic violence, incarcerated parents, mental health disorders, trauma, and cycles of abuse.
• The goal is to end the generational cycle of abuse and neglect.
• Children should not be taking on parental roles.

CASA Statistics and Needs

• In fiscal year 2025, CASA served around 1400 children in 951 cases across the state.
• Higher population areas have more cases and need more volunteers.
• There are about 550 to 650 active volunteers statewide at any time, but about 200 more are needed. Volunteers donate around 83,000 hours per year.

Volunteer Support and Funding

• Volunteers drive the bus on the case and are supported by an advocate supervisor and peer mentors.
• Volunteers come from all walks of life; no specific background is required.
• Funding sources include state grants, federal grants, municipal grants, annual fund, private foundations, and fundraising events.
• Most money goes to direct services to support volunteers.

Fundraising Events

• CASA Cares: A gala in May at the Doubletree in Manchester with an auction.
• On Tap: A bar stool challenge in Hooksett in March, with 10-person teams raising $1,500 to join.

Case Outcomes and the Opioid Epidemic

• Most cases involve out-of-home placements.
• Previously, case finalization was around 60% reunification and 40% adoption or other plans.
• The opioid epidemic has significantly impacted families in New Hampshire.
• Current estimates are closer to 60% termination of parental rights (free for adoption) and 40% reunification.

Kristy Jobin's CASA Experience

• Kristy Jobin is the Director of Community Development and a CASA volunteer.
• She emphasizes that child abuse and neglect are not just urban issues, stating, "Abuse and neglect, substance abuse, domestic violence, family instability, don't check income levels, zip codes, or school rankings. They just show up."
• CASA volunteers provide consistency for children in the system, representing the child's best interests and making independent recommendations to the court.
• She recounts being drawn in a picture by the children she was helping as part of their family, and one of the children calling her his "special friend."

The Impact and Role of CASA

• CASA provides continuity and a long-term presence in a child's life.
• CASA volunteers need no prior experience in social work, law, or child services and receive ongoing staff support.
• Christy emphasizes the profound impact CASA volunteers can have, stating, "Be their voice. Be their consistent person. Be the one that shows up."

CASA Training and Support

• CASA volunteers receive 40 hours of service training.
  • Training is broken up into ten 4-hour sessions over five weeks, schedule is on the website.
  • Training varies between daytime, evening, in-person, and virtual.
• Ongoing training and support:
  • Statewide training and support groups.
  • Peer mentors are available for new CASAs.
  • CASA focusses on "Staying in your lane."