2009 Annual Report

In 2009, the downturn of the economy continued with some disastrous effects on local families and children. Over 4,000 cases were investigated by the Children’s Services staff for allegations of abuse and neglect. Butler County Juvenile Court held court hearings to determine safety and best interest of 2,133 children. PARACHUTE staff and CASA volunteers were active in providing input on critical issues regarding children’s need for safety and security. Children’s safety and security must remain paramount. We at PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA remain committed to ensuring children are safe and believe children need nurturing and permanent homes. We know abuse and neglect of children continues to happen, but we believe people are more informed and are more determined to be part of the solution. Even as the jobless rate continues to climb, people continue to volunteer and speak up for vulnerable children. In 2009 PARACHUTE trained 19 new CASA volunteers.  And we’re successful - With the support of the PARACHUTE staff, CASA volunteers investigate the circumstances of abused and neglected children and their families, they talk with relatives, foster parents, social workers, teachers, counselors and others to understand how the child is doing and to determine what needs to happen for the child to move towards the safe, happy home that every child deserves.  A large body of research shows that when a child has a CASA volunteer he or she is more likely to be placed into a safe, permanent home quicker, rather than languish in the system. A child may return home sooner, with the problems solved. Or live with relatives or be placed for adoption. A child with a CASA volunteer is also more likely to receive needed services such as therapy, medical treatment and educational services. In 2009 – PARACHUTE data shows that 97% of the CASA volunteers had regular and consistent contact with their CASA child and nearly 97% of the children who had a CASA volunteer were safe and did NOT experience abuse again while under the court’s protection. CASA works.   Studies show that having one loving and stable adult in a damaged child’s life can make all the difference. At PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA, we believe children deserve someone on their side.  CASA volunteers are a diverse group of caring individuals – 53% of CASAs work full time, 18% work part time, 19% are retired, 8% are not employed and 2% are students. CASA volunteers range in age from 21 to 77. In 2009, 73 active CASA volunteers donated 4,812 hours with 25% donating over 100 hours each. The average CASA volunteer spent 8 hours per month doing CASA volunteer work.  CASA volunteers are changing the lives of children!

 

Our achievements for 2009 include:

·       Honored ALL 73 active volunteers during “National Volunteer Week” in April and gave special tribute to long term volunteers – 15 Years of Service – Flo Harbin, 10 Years of Service – Chuck Ramage; 5 Years of Service – Bud Hall, Lois Nelson & Denise Mattingly. 

·       Trained 19 new advocates, bringing the total number of trained CASA volunteers since 1988 to 369.

·       Supervised 73 active CASA volunteers serving children.  

·       Attended 182 court hearings to speak up for children.

·       Donated 4,812 hours of advocacy services to children, bringing the total of hours donated by CASA volunteers since 1988 to 112,643 hours.

·       Served 167 abused & neglected children in Butler County, since 1988 = 1,388 children.

·        Honors – PARACHUTE received high accolades for receiving continuing accreditation as an excellent CASA program. Certification signifies from Ohio CASA and the National CASA Associations that we have gone beyond minimum standards of practice, contributing to a higher level of program management, fiscal management, volunteer training, supervision and support and quality advocacy for abused and neglected children in the court system.

·       Community engagement - Worked to keep child abuse prevention and volunteer advocacy in the public’s attention at speaking engagements and events. We engaged community members of all ages, children and adults, in all types of environments, at schools, workplaces, churches, service club meetings and in entertaining and fun ways. We ran and walked in the “3rd Annual Lyons & Lyons Park Run for PARACHUTE” event held on a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning on October 10th at Ft Liberty Park. The 5K event again this year served as a tribute honoring the legacy of late Judge David Niehaus. Participants raised $7,000. We believe these community partnerships help others join in the important work of speaking up for abused and neglected children.  

2009 was a busy year. CASA volunteers worked hard for the best interests of abused and neglected children, one child at a time.  Just ask a CASA volunteer …

 “I believe I should reach out to those who have no voice. It’s part of my value system. I’ve decided to use my time, money and energy to help children. It’s my privilege, to come alongside a child at a time when they are the most vulnerable and give them hope.”                    Evelyn - 15 year CASA volunteer   

 

Thank you all for your donation of time, talent, money and/or support for PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA. We pledge to keep working hard. There are hundreds of children waiting for a better future.

 

2009 Board of Trustees

Rhonda Brown

Rhonda Fagin

Angie Glaab

Megan Halverson

Sherry Hasselfeld

Julie Joyce-Smith

Carrie Ledford

Chris Xeil Lyons

Peggy McCollum

Archie Nelson

Julie Smith

Ben Yoder

 

Financial information for PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA

for fiscal year July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009 

THANK YOU for coming together to care about children! Since 1988, PARACHUTE: Butler County CASA has met our mission of training community volunteers to act as advocates for abused and neglected children here in Butler County through the generosity of many compassionate individuals and groups.  Many have been long time friends to children and others are new to the circle of supporters. This includes those in the private and public sectors. Friends include individuals, groups, foundations, government entities, service clubs, civic organizations, businesses, churches and clubs.

 

Long Time Funders Include: 

  • Hamilton Junior Women’s League – Founded PARACHUTE and has supported the mission since 1988. 
  • Butler County Juvenile Court – Co-founded the agency and has provided inkind support since 1988. 
  • Ohio Attorney General’s Office of Justice Assistance – VOCA (Victim of Crime Act) and SVAA (State Victims Assistance Act) funds received since 1990.

United Way Support

Butler County United Way

United Way of Oxford and Vicinity

 

Foundations

AK Steel Foundation

Benninghofen Foundation

GE Foundation

Give with Liberty

Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Hamilton Community Foundation

Insuring The Children

Jewelers for Children

Middletown Community Foundation

Miriam G. Knoll Charitable Foundation

Molyneaux Foundation

Office Depot Foundation

Oxford Community Foundation

Pepsico Foundation Matching Gifts Program

The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty

The Reynolds and Reynolds Associate Foundation

Wellpoint Associate Giving Campaign 

 

Religious Groups

Amanda United Methodist Women

Beth Israel Synagogue

Darrtown United Methodist Women

First Presbyterian Church – Midd.

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

Lindenwald United Methodist Men

Oxford Presbyterian Church

Oxford Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Church – Hamilton

St. Peter In Chains

Wesley Memorial United Methodist

Groups

Art on Symmes

Studios & Art Guild

Hamilton Professional Firefighters Assoc. Local #20

Insurance Women of Greater Cincinnati

KAPPA ALPHA THETA – Miami University

Kiwanis Club-Oxford

Kiwanis Club – Lindenwald

Liberty Home German Association

Miami University  - CPAC

Middletown Women Teachers' Club

National CASA Association

Ohio CASA Rainbow Girls

Rolling Hills Bridge Club

The Women of Justice, Inc.

Wilson Junior High School 

 

Business and Community Groups

Brown-Dawson-Flick

Funeral Home

Butler Rural Community Connection

Frost Brown Todd LLC

Lebanon Citizens National Bank

Lyons & Lyons Law Firm

McCracken & MartinMcGraw/Kokosing

Meijer, Inc.

MidFirst Credit Union Inc.

Miller Valentine Group

Pease Warehouse Outlet

Rice Auto Body

Robert M. Brown Construction

CompanyUnited Heartland Insurance Agencies

Wireless Alliance

 

2009, like the past 7 years, was an extremely lean year. We had to rely on the PARACHUTE fund, (our savings account), set up at the Hamilton Community Foundation, to make ends meet when federal grants and donations fluctuate and drop without notice. The PARACHUTE Board of Trustee members have determined that to be fiscally responsible to our clients, the children, it is necessary to have one year’s operating expenses in savings. Funds are now very low. We have taken steps to decrease spending but as a lean, efficient agency with 5 staff (3 full & 2 part time) there is little to cut & still remain able to provide quality advocacy services to abused children. We hope to rely on more active fundraising, charitable donations and events to replenish this account. As a volunteer - driven agency, we are efficient and effective supporting 73 active CASA volunteers and 15 volunteer Board of Trustees and Advisory Board members. The work is difficult and challenging but tremendously rewarding. Seeing a CASA children end up in safe, permanent home, out of danger and happy- now those are positive results! All gifts, large and small, are genuinely appreciated. We pledge to be fiscally responsible to the stakeholders, transparent in our operations and do our best to serve those children so desperately in need. Your donation ensures that a helpless child will have a CASA volunteer, a strong voice and hopefully a better future. Thank you.

 

 PARK RUN for PARACHUTE

2009 Event Sponsors 

Lyons & Lyons Attorneys at Law

Hamilton Junior Women’s League

Industrial Developments International, Inc.  (IDI)

Frost Brown Todd

Peggy McCollum – Law Office

Don Owens – Retirement & Estate Planning

Baker Photography

Robert M. Brown

Fifth Third Bank

Wal-mart

Moonshine Printing

Miami University – Hamilton Campus

Butler County United Way

Magnode