CASA Delaware Live!
Episodes
154 episodes
Episode #154 What is FIRST?
In this episode, Megan Hendricks from the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families explains the FIRST Program: Family Informed Resource Support Team. This is a program within the department that helps families identify and ...
Episode #153 What is Youth Rehabilitative Services "YRS?"
In Episode #153, we chat with Division Director Renee Ciconte as she explains the Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services. She reviews what this Division is responsible for, how it works with it's sister agency the Division of Family Services...
Episode #152 Transitional Housing at Murphey School
In this Episode, Mr. Mike Kopp of the Murphey School discusses their Transitional Housing program... aimed at helping teenagers successfully transition into adulthood and obtain housing. The Murphey School is a group home/congregate care facili...
Episode #151 What is SOAR?
In this Episode, we interview Dr. Maya Khalid, PhD from SOAR (Survivors of Abuse in Recovery). This is an incredible resource for our families as they provide therapeutic services to children and families who have been involved with sexual or p...
Episode #150 Necessity of Minority Hair Care
In Episode #150, we re-record a virtual Lunch & Learn topic on Oh My Hair! The necessity of minority hair care. We wanted to re-create it in the form of a podcast to appeal to more CASA volunteers to engage in this topic as it is essential ...
Episode #149 What To Do When A Case Isn't Going Our Way
In Episode #149, we chat with three CASA Coordinators: Lisa Reaves, Nakia Howard, and Jessica Hazzard. All three share their experience working with CASA volunteers and how to handle situations that might not be going the way a CASA Volunteer w...
Episode #148 Working With DFS
In Episode #148, we hear from CASA Coordinator Jen Falkowski as well as two CASA Volunteers, Colleen Harbison and Bethany Menson, as they share their experience working WITH the Division of Family Services. All three share some great nuggets of...
Episode #147 Parent Representation
In Episode #147, we chat with parent attorney Stephanie Reid, Esq. who discusses her role as a parent attorney, how she works with her clients, who she partners with to help her clients, and she makes some suggestions on how CASAs can best supp...
Episode #145 2025: The Year in Review!
In Episode #145, we interview CASA State Director Megan Caudell as she walks us through some statistics for the first 11 months of the year. Then, Lauren Brueckner follows up with a glance at the 2026 CASA Training Calendar. Enjoy!
Episode #144 CASA Reminders
In Episode #144, we cover some key reminders for CASAs including some Dos and Don'ts and how best to balance what our clients tell us vs. what's actually true. So, we want to listen and absorb information but not necessarily act on it without i...
Episode #143 Conflict Resolution in the CASA World!
In Episode #143, we interview CASA Leann Moore who has extensive experience around Conflict Resolution. She's at the University of Delaware and during this podcast interview, she shares some helpful information to help us as CASA volunteers whe...
Episode #142 Grief and Loss
In this episode, we interview Meg Garey, Executive Director of A Better Chance for our Children where she shares with us some helpful information on how kids express grief and loss. She also gives some suggestions on how a CASA can best assist ...
Episode #141 Delaware Technical and Community College Scholarship Programs
In this episode, I chat with Bobbi Barends who is not only a CASA volunteer but also the VP/Campus Director and Chief Operating Officer at Del Tech in Georgetown! During our chat, she explains several scholarship opportunities that exist at Del...
Episode #140 The Importance of Sibling Connections
In this episode, we chat with child attorney Jennifer Kline, Esq. and listen as she discusses the importance of sibling connections as well as ways that a CASA can help ensure these connections stay intact. Enjoy!
Episode #139 The TPR Appeal Process
In this episode, Child Attorney Renee Duval, Esq. walks us through the appeal process for the Termination of Parental Rights. She also explains what a CASA's role is, how they can assist during the case, and what to expect. Enjoy!
Episode #138 Overcoming Communication Barriers
In this episode, we speak to 3 experienced CASA volunteers and listen as they share their thoughts and strategies in communicating with youth who are experiencing cognitive or developmental delays. Enjoy!
Episode #137 Overview of School Discipline
In Episode #137, we chat with staff attorney Stefanie Ramirez who works with the Disability Rights Program. She has tremendous knowledge when it comes to working with students with disabilities and how discipline impacts their education. If any...
Episode #136 What is the TRY Program?
In Episode #136, we interview Kelly Hatton who is a therapist working with the TRY Program. TRY stands for Trauma Response for Youth. This service is contracted through the Division of Prevention of Behavioral Health and offers prevent, interve...
Episode #135 Housing Options
In Episode #135, we explore two housing options for DFS families in New Castle County: Gaudenzia and Bayard House. Dionne Cosby chats with us about Gaudenzia House and Cheryl Sanderlin chats about Bayard House. Both housing options are supporte...
Episode #134 What is a STEPS Meeting?
In this episode, we interview Independent Living Program Manager Tamara Myles through the Division of Family Services. Tamara educates us on the WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY of a STEPS (Stairways To Encourage Pathways to Success) Meeting. En...
Episode #133 Acronyms to the Rescue!
In Episode #133, we review some of the most commonly used acronyms including DSCYF, DFS, PBH, YRS, IL, BIM, TDM, APPLA, TPR, ESP and more! Happy listening!
Episode #132 Court Report Writing
In Episode #132, we focus on the CASA Court Report which is presented to the CASA Coordinator and Child Attorney in order to prepare for upcoming court hearings. Each report is a necessary part to the court process so it needs to be turned in b...
Episode #131 What is Wrap Around Delaware?
In this episode, we interview 4 team members of Wrap Around Delaware, which provides comprehensive assistance to families in need. During this interview, we chat with Jackie, Shannon, Michelle and Haydee and listen as they describe their ...
Episode #130 What is PCAD?
In Episode #130, we chat with Executive Director Claudine Wiant of Prevent Child Abuse Delaware, affectionately known as "PCAD." April is Child Abuse Prevention Month so the purpose of this podcast is to learn about PCAD, what programs they off...
Episode #129 Working with Children Part 4: Spanning the Ages
In Episode #129, we interview 4 CASAs who have been with their assigned children for over five years! Some of them closer to 10 years! This means that these CASA volunteers have had the opportunity to develop deep relationships with these youth...