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Pictured: top row, left to right are Nannette Evans, Advocate Supervisor, Dana Whitehead, Advocate, bottom row, left to right are Ruth Witt, Advocate, Pat Stearns, Training Specialist, Saundra Patchett, Advocate and Marty Patchett, Advocate.

All of us agreed this conference far exceeded our expectations. The general sessions included speakers such as Alma Powell, chair of America's Promise Alliance, Steve Robbins, Inclusion and Cultural Competency consultant, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, Senior VP, Chief Tax Officer of Wal-Mart Stores and sister to more than 100 foster youth. The workshops were geared towards all players in the CASA organization from staff to board to advocates. A mentoring meeting was held in order for us to share our new knowledge and perceptions. If you were unable to attend, feel free to contact us for some handouts or discussion!

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot spoke at the General Session Luncheon on Monday, June 9th. She is the Senior Vice President and Chief Tax Officer of Wal-Mart Stores. Her parents took in foster youth throughout her childhood and she shared stories of some of her siblings and how they managed to succeed through adversity.

Julia Charles is an amazing former foster youth and was adopted as an adult at age 23. She has recently graduated college with a degree in English and has authored the book, Surviving the Storm, which is availabel to check out of our CASA library. She shared with us her story of her difficulties in the system and what needs to change.

Alma J. Powell, Chair, America's Promise Alliance, spoke at the Opening Lunchen on Sunday, June 8th. She is the wife of Colin Powell and has accompanied him on his various military assignments here in the United States and overseas. She served as army liason to the National Red Cross, advisor to the Red Cross of the Military District of Washington and honorary president of the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide and has also authored two children's books, My Little Wagon and America's Promise.

Steve Robbins, PhD spoke at our General Session on Monday, June 9th. He was a dynamic speaker, disutpting the way we all think on the areas of diversity, inclusion and cultural competency and all the effects of such. He immigrated to the United States from Vietnam when he was 5 years old and shared some of his childhood struggles including poverty, discrimination, domestic violence and abuse. He has authored the book, Teachable Moments: Short Stories to Spark Diveristy Dialogue which is available to check out in our CASA library.

Michael Piraino, Chief Executive Officer, National CASA Association, gave us all encouragement and direction throughout the conference. He also spoke to us about the Forgotten Children campaign that was held from May 19-May 23, 2008 at the National Mall in Washington D.C. Each day, 850 children enter America's foster care system because they cannot live safely at home. This was represented by life-sized cut outs, 850 displayed daily for 6 days, totaling 4,250 chidlren who entered the foster care system for that workweek. Due to this exposure, CASA received vast amounts of media coverage, including an interest from Dr. Phil and Robin. After learning about CASA, Dr. Phil and Robin decided to become the face of CASA. Find out more about the Dr. Phil Foundation at www.drphilfoundation.org

The CASA of Williamson County Board of Directors generously extended an offer to all staff and advocates to attend the 2008 National Conference in Washington D.C.

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