National Casa Website           CASA Application

KID’S KLOSET Pajama Drive

CASA Job Description          CASA Application Procedure 

WHAT IS A CASA ?
A CASA is a well-trained individual who can devote the time necessary to listen to the child, investigate their concerns and situation and develop feasible options for the Court to consider that represent the best interest of the child.  They are not tethered to an overburdened caseload and they are not responsible for focusing on the entire family.  They are not responsible for providing appropriate legal representation but rather mentorship and support.   To be clear, a CASA is not designed to be an adversary to the social worker or the attorney, but rather is an important member of the team whose ultimate goal is the best interest of that child.

CASAs stand up for abused, and neglected children as they travel through the Court system; in short they are the voice of the child.  In an overburdened system where children risk slipping through the cracks, the CASA’s sole goal is to see that the child’s best interests are served.

What are the requirements for becoming a CASA?
A CASA must be over the age of 21.  They must successfully pass a criminal background investigation and submit to and receive a clear CANS (a system that contains information on reported cases of Child Abuse) report.  They must provide at least three references that are not relatives.  They must submit to a thorough interview and are screened closely for objectivity, competence and commitment.  We are requiring a two year commitment for all our CASAs (that is the normal time frame for a case).  Once they have passed the screening process they must attend and successfully complete the training program (approximately 40 hours).  Only after completing the training are they sworn in as a CASA.

How much time does it require?
Each case is different however, normally, a CASA will initially spend about ten to fifteen hours doing research and conducting interviews prior to the first court appearance (normally 30 days after being assigned the case) and another few hours writing a court report and developing recommendations. The more complicated the case, the more time.  During this initial period, the CASA must be available to attend the court hearings. Once the initial case is heard, the CASA will work about 10 hours a month monitoring the case, meeting with DCFS, the school, the parents and most importantly the child.

Kid’s Kloset
The Churchill County Kid’s Kloset is a regional resource for the Division of Child and Family Services and the Churchill County CASA Program to use in the event that a youth in DCFS custody requires clothing (emergency or otherwise), shoes, personal hygiene items and school supplies that cannot be obtained by any other means but are necessary for their comfort, improvement of quality of life, safety, health or simply something to make their lives easier.    The Kid’s Kloset is always in need of donations of new or very gently used items.  Contact the Churchill County CASA office at 423-6088 ext 263 to donate new clothing/shoes or to see if you qualify for help.

Out of Egypt Food Pantry

• Serve individuals on a weekly basis with food needs
• Northern Nevada food bank provides majority of food items
• Perishable and non-perishable items
• Nutritious items
• Clients are able to choose items they can use
• Application process (more of an information gathering process ) – no set cut off
• Sign in at 8AM on Thursdays – Draw at 10AM
• 40-60 volunteers – community outreach
• Work with police department and JPO for those required to do community service
• Take donations

Churchill County Library

About the Library

A Brief History of the Churchill County Library

The history of the Churchill County Library stretches back to 1905 when Mrs. Callie Ferguson, Fallon’s postmistress, and Mrs. Mary Black operated the first lending library in the old post office. This was a place where the men who were working on Lahontan Dam could go to write letters to their families and to obtain reading material. In 1915, Mrs. George Williams started a “reading room” in the Wightman Building which was on the site where the Fallon Nugget now stands. In 1918, the Draper Club, a literary group, assumed responsibility for the room and moved it upstairs in the Wightman Building. The reading room stayed in this location until January 1920 when it was moved to the Woodliff Building. It was during this time Mrs. Mel Price became the first woman in Churchill County to be given the title librarian.

In 1925, a new state law was passed authorizing counties to become responsible for reading rooms in their jurisdictions. Mrs. Ethel Hoyt was appointed as the County’s librarian. During November 1932, the library was moved to 37 South Maine Street, next to the Fraternal Hall. Mrs. Hoyt resigned in 1940, and Mrs. Mary Martin was appointed as her successor. The next notable event in the library’s history occurred in 1957 when Librarian, Mrs. Dorothy Walker, cataloged the collection. Mrs. Walker was succeeded by Mrs. Frank Walquist, who was succeeded by Mrs. Dora Witt in 1960.

Dora saw a need for a larger library. The old building had become cramped and crowded, with no room for expansion. Her first step towards a new library was a bond issue, but it failed to garner the necessary votes. During the 1960’s the Max C. Fleischmann Foundation was granting monies to build libraries in rural areas. Dora applied for a grant, and was awarded $111,208. She also had support from the community. Soroptimist International of Fallon pledged $1,000, and the Friends of the Library set aside $1,500 towards the building fund. Churchill County purchased the lot of land, and Edward Parsons from Reno was retained as the architect. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held September 1966, and the dedication and grand opening was held in April 1967. The library finally had a permanent home at 553 S. Maine Street. The total cost to build the library in 1966/67 was just over $286,000. Through the generosity of the county, three parcels of land adjacent to the library, was purchased in October 2001, thereby enabling future expansion to the building.

Barbara Mathews became Director in 1987. During her tenure, the Ross Mortgage Company building was purchased in 2006. The library was given permission to utilize the building. The bookstore was moved into the front two rooms of the building and a Meeting Room occupies the back. The building was rechristened the Library Annex/Serendipity Corner. Friends of the Library hired local artist Cody Deegan to paint a mural on the front of the building to advertise the bookstore. Churchill County purchased the remaining lot on the block and the Library Board hired an architectural firm from Reno to draw a set of plans for a new library facility. These plans were completed in 2008. Barbara Mathews retired in 2012 having served the County for over 28 years.

Carol Lloyd was appointed Director that same year. It was decided to repurpose the existing building as library services had changed dramatically since the time the plans were completed 4 years prior. Resources are more readily available via downloadable means thus the need for additional physical space was diminishing. Collaborative Design Studios was contracted to provide plans. The Repurpose Project was completed in February 2015.

Community And Youth Awareness Services

In addition to direct service support, Crisis Call Center is committed to help raise awareness on a variety of subjects that directly affect our community. Crisis Call Center is currently focusing our awareness activities on interpersonal violence prevention and bystander intervention skills through social media and the “Green Dot” awareness campaign.

Have you had your Green Dot today?

Green Dot is a violence prevention program that focuses on making our community safer by empowering bystanders to become active members in reducing power-based personal violence including sexual assault, partner violence, stalking, bullying, and harassment.

• Green Dot is any behavior or choice that promotes safety for all of us and communicates utter intolerance for any form of violence.
• Green Dot is pulling a friend out of a high risk situation.
• Green Dot is posting a status update on Facebook about bystander intervention.
• Green Dot is donating a few dollars to your local center.
• Green Dot is displaying an awareness poster in your office.
• Green Dot is wearing your green dot gear. A Green Dot is getting someone else to step in even if you can’t.
• Green Dot is striking up a conversation with a friend about how much this issue matters to you.
• Green Dot is simply your individual choice at any given moment to make our community safer.

“No one has to do everything….everyone has to do something”

What’s Your Green Dot?

For regular updates on “Green Dot” like us on FaceBook at facebook.com/NNVGreenDot.

Our goal is to help individuals recognize warning signs, intervene safely or reach out for help.
For more information on Green Dot, please contact SASS (Sexual Assault Support Services) at 775-784-8085.

OUTREACH
Tabling at Community Events

Crisis Call Center would love to support your conference, health fair, or awareness event. We have many published resources to share with the community that cover our 24-hour Crisis Line services, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and Sexual Assault Support Services. Let us know about your event and how we can help. Contact the Crisis Call Center Business Office at 775-784-8085 or email info@crisiscallcenter.org

Educational and Outreach Materials

Crisis Call Center has many pamphlets, posters, cards, and fliers that highlight our 24-hour Crisis Lines, Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and Sexual Assault Support Services. We are happy to mail resources to your organization for distribution. Many materials are also available in Spanish.

For more information contact the Crisis Call Center Business Office at 775-784-8085 or email info@crisiscallcenter.org. We look forward to helping support your work and bringing more awareness to these critical areas that affect our communities.

Fallon Cantaloupe Festival (Seasonal)

Putting on a Festival takes a lot of work and time, and our festival wouldn’t be possible without the many volunteers that are involved.