Close to Home Webinars
Zoom into the world of Piedmont CASA. Meet our Volunteers, Bridges Coaches, staff, and partner organizations. Hear about our kids, their struggles and their successes. Together, we are changing stories for children and youth who have been abused and neglected, stories that are close to home and close to our heart.
Falling Into Foster Care was a webinar series that explored issues in our community which lead to children entering the foster care system. Each webinar featured a guest speaker or speakers from one of our partner organizations. A Q&A period followed each webinar.
Falling into Foster Care - 2021 series
Housing Instability
Just renting in Charlottesvile can exceed the annual income for a family living in poverty. Piedmont CASA hosted this conversation about housing needs with Frank Valdez of the Legal Aid Justice Center and Nancy Carpenter of The Haven. “Housing Instability” was the third in our Close to Home webinar series, “Falling Into Foster Care”. It took place on October 2021.
Impact of Poverty on Families
This webinar explores various issues that lead to children entering the foster care system. Ridge Schuyler, Dean of Community Self Sufficiency at Piedmont Virginia Community College, discusses obstacles families living in poverty face just trying to meet their basic needs, and what can be done to support them. September 2021.
Emotional Effects of the Pandemic on Mental Health
What mental health needs has the pandemic created or exacerbated in our children and youth? Paige Nolt reports on recent professional experiences working with young people who are coping with increased depression and anxiety, and how it is affecting their school work. Our guest speaker was Paige Nolt, MSW, LCSW. Ms. Nolt has worked in a variety of clinical settings and believes that people can overcome challenges to lead healthy and productive lives. February 2021.
Affordable and Accessible Child Care
For families living in poverty and struggling to meet their basic needs, childcare is often out of reach. This webinar provides an overview of the childcare landscape in our community and discusses potential resources for families struggling to find affordable, accessible, high quality childcare. Piedmont CASA hosted this conversation with Gail Esterman, MSW, Director of Early Learning with ReadyKids. This webinar took place in November, 2021.
Other webinars hosted by Piedmont CASA in 2021
Working to End the Cycle
This webinar delves into the definitions and dynamics of domestic violence, reviews common questions about the cycle of violence, and explores why it often takes multiple attempts to leave an abusive relationship. This presentation will give you a better idea of how to understand and work with people who experience domestic violence, and the best ways to offer support. Our guest speaker was Liesel Robinson, Shelter for Help in Emergency. April 2021.
On Engaging With Parents
Jay Chowdhry is a senior worker on the Family Preservation Team at the Albemarle County Department of Social Services (ACDSS), and lead facilitator of both the Fatherhood Support Group at ACDSS and the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail (ACRJ) Support Groups for both men and women. In this webinar, Mr. Chowdhry presents information about these groups and also explores questions related to child welfare issues at ACDSS. This webinar took place in March, 2021.
The Needs of Transgender Youth
This webinar includes trans basics as well as the specific needs of teens in an institutional setting. PFLAG is a national nonprofit committed to advancing equality through its mission of support, education, and advocacy. September 2021.