Tag Archives: Kids
February 10, 2022 29 volunteers from different countries and different walks-of-life come together as largest class in local CASA program history to swear oath to help abused and neglected kids
A diverse cross-section of 29 newly trained Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers will be sworn in on Feb. 18 at noon via BlueJeans to advocate for the best interests for 62 children in foster care. Judge Frank Sullivan will swear in a former foster youth, students, former foster parents, healthcare workers, teachers, resort employees, legal professionals, former law enforcement, former media talent, a pastor and a married couple. These new volunteers will bring the number of those speaking on behalf of the best interests of children in foster care to 368 volunteers. The goal is to have 1,000 volunteers to meet the advocacy needs of abused and neglected children in Clark County. There is an urgent need for volunteers to meet that goal.
Those interested can learn more at one of the many monthly online orientations. Potential volunteers for the CASA program can call 702-455-4306 or visit www.casalasvegas.org to sign up for an orientation.
· Friday, Feb.25 (noon – 1 p.m.)
· Wednesday, March 2 (noon – 1 p.m.)
· Friday, March 11(9 – 10 a.m.)
· Wednesday, March 16 (6 – 7 p.m.)
The CASA program, which is part of the Family Division of the Eighth Judicial District Court, recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteers to represent the best interests of foster children in Clark County. The advocates represent the children in school, child and family team meetings, and in court. Volunteering for the program involves a two-year commitment and a willingness to spend quality time with the children to advocate for them. The CASA Program has been working on behalf of children in our community since 1980, when Judge John Mendoza led the creation of the CASA Program in Clark County.
“CASA volunteers are the ears and eyes of the court. They help ensure the safety and wellbeing of children in foster care and help those children achieve permanency,” said Judge Sullivan, who presides over the program. “Our CASA volunteers always say that they get much more back from the kids than they ever put into the program.”
“This is the largest class of volunteers in our CASA Program’s history,” said Presiding Family Court Judge Rebecca Burton “These volunteers will make a huge difference in the lives of children who have faced abuse and neglect. But there is an urgent need for many more CASA volunteers to advocate for the best interests of kids in foster care. Being a CASA volunteer is a truly impactful way to give a voice to children and give back to our community.”
Tags: CASA, CASA Clark County, CASA Las Vegas, CASA Nevada, Clark County Courts, Eighth Judicial District Court, help foster kids las vegas, Help kids, help kids in las vegas, Judge Frank Sullivan, Judge Rebecca Burton, Kids, Las Vegas Court, Las Vegas courts, Nevada CASA, Nevada Court, Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court, volunteer to help kids
November 8, 2018 Harry Potter found not guilty despite vigilant prosecution in court by fourth graders
It’s hard to get and keep the attention of a class of fourth graders. Judge Tierra Jones and Judge Eric Johnson kept the attention of two fourth grade classes from Grant M. Bowler Elementary School in Logandale, NV and taught them some valuable lessons on the justice system when they put on a mock trial in District Court. The mini legal eagles got into their roles as judges, jurors, attorneys, witnesses and marshals in a trial to determine if legendary wizard Harry Potter was guilty of the misuse of magic. After hearing the testimony with built in hints on how courts work, the fourth grader found Potter not-guilty. The students peered into the holding cell which gave them a stark view of what happens to those who get caught in the justice system.
Two more classes from Grant M. Bowler will visit the court on Friday, Nov. 16 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Judge Kerry Earley in courtroom 12D and Judge Adrianna Escobar will host the mock trials.
The mock trials are a cooperative effort between the Nevada Eighth Judicial District Court, nonprofit agency Project REAL and the school. In preparation for the student mock trials, Project REAL provides teachers lessons to convey the roles and processes of a criminal trial. The students get an immersive, real-world learning experience, with the benefit of Project Real classroom lessons to set the stage for better understanding. The students embark on their journey through the justice system with the legal terms and other information provided in the classroom sessions.
District Court Judge Doug Herndon envisioned the mock trial program. He wrote the script involving Harry Potter to provide a fun and interesting method for young students to learn about the justice system. The activities promote the importance of education, highlight potential legal careers and demonstrate the outcome of bad choices.
Project REAL, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, was founded in 2005 by Sam Lionel and Irwin Molasky to meet the challenge of teaching K-12th grade Nevada students the importance of the law. They have taught over 160,000 Nevada students about the importance of the law with the goal of preparing them to be informed, law-abiding and participating citizens through their programs Your Day in Court, Play By the Rules, REAL Drama, and Independence & You. For more information from Project REAL, please contact Program Director Mike Kamer at mkamer@projectrealnv.org, call 702.703.6529, or visit http://projectrealnv.org.
Tags: Adriana Escobar, Clark county Mock trial, District Court Judge Eric Johnson, District Court Judge Tierra Jones, Education, Eric Johnson, Harry Potter, Judge Adriana Escobar, Judge Eric Johnson, Judge Kerry Earley, Judge Tierra Jones, Kerry Earley, Kids, Las Vegas, Las Vegas Mock trials, Mock trial, mock trials Las Vegas, Project REAL, Tierra Jones
April 24, 2018 17 Volunteers including a teacher, chiropractor and hairdresser find fulfillment speaking up for kids who have experienced abuse and neglect
Seventeen new CASA volunteers have opened their hearts to children who have endured abuse and neglect. The volunteers took an oath to speak on behalf of kids. The volunteers, including a tax specialist, teacher, chiropractor, hairdresser and former foster parent will serve as a voice for the young children whose parents are working through addiction and other issues. Three CASA volunteers were also recognized for their volunteer work to help children.
There is a big need for CASA volunteers in Clark County to speak up for the approximately 3,200 children in the community, who are receiving services under supervision of Family Court. Those who want to help abused and neglected children are invited to one of the upcoming CASA orientations, which are held the third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy. More information is available about the program at 702-455-4306, visit www.casalasvegas.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/#!/CASALasVegas. The next CASA orientation will be held on May 16 at 6 p.m. at the Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy.
There are around 350 CASA volunteers serving as a voice for children under the supervision of the Family Court CASA Program. However, many more volunteers are needed to advocate for the remainder of the children in care. Last year, nearly one thousand children had a CASA volunteer to help them navigate through the system, deal with school challenges and handle home life.
The CASA program recruits, screens, trains and supports volunteers to represent the best interests of hundreds of foster children annually. The advocates represent the children in school, family team meetings, and in court. Volunteering for the program involves a two-year commitment and a willingness to spend quality time with the children to advocate for them.
Tags: CASA, CASA; Las Vegas; Family Court; kids; Foster kids;, Judge Bryce Duckworth, Judge Cynthia Giuliani, Judge Frank Sullivan, Kids
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July 21, 2017 Moms escape clutches of addiction
Judge Jennifer Elliot has been presiding over the dependency mothers’ drug court since 2008. It is a program that has helped to get many mothers away from the clutches of addiction and into the arms of their children. This week, three more moms graduated from the program. That’s a handful of kids who won’t have to be in foster care; who won’t have to wonder where mom is; and who will have someone who loves them and deeply cares for them.
In front of others going through the program, Judge Elliot asked each of the graduates how they felt upon graduation. She said, “Nobody knows what the journey is going to look like when they start out, and I want others to hear how to be successful at it.” The moms graduating lit up when given the opportunity to share how they felt. One mom said, “I’m very, very happy where I am and how far I’ve come. It’s amazing being able to be with my son, sober; to watch him grow and remember that.” Judge Elliot told each of the graduates that she was very proud of them. She also offered a word of advice to a father with one of the graduating moms, who has his own struggles. She said, “Setback doesn’t mean failure, it just means you just have to keep on keeping on.”
Judge Elliot is turning over the administration of the dependency mothers’ drug court to Judge Frank Sullivan who handles abuse and neglect cases. She told those in court that Judge Sullivan would ensure that the program would continue to be successful. Judge Sullivan responded, “No one can replace Judge Elliot.” Program participants gave Judge Elliot a giant farewell card. The judge who launched the specialty court aimed at helping moms with addiction won’t be managing the day-to-day of the program, but the legacy of what she accomplished since 2008 will carry on for generations.
Tags: Clark County Family Court, Dependency Mothers’ Drug Court, Eighth Judicial District Court, Judge Jennifer Elliot, Kids, Las Vegas courts, Las Vegas crime, Specialty Courts
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