ACT NOW for EXTREMELY DISCOUNTED Harlem Globetrotter Tickets...

The Harlem Globetrotters have always been known as the “Ambassadors of Goodwill”, promoting the importance of fair play, honesty and serving as great role models for our youth.  They have been inspiring both the young and young at heart for 86 years through their unique brand of on-court skills and entertainment.   

The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Redmond, OR on Friday, April 27^th, 2012. The show will be at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center. I wanted to extend out a special discounted ticket offer for CASA and the families associated with the organization. Tickets start at just $3.00 per ticket. Feel free to share this discount with your family and friends. This discount will be available until Wednesday, April 25^th, 2012 at noon Arizona Mountain Time, so get your tickets now!

If anyone would like to purchase tickets, they can fill out the flyer and scan/e-mail, fax, or simply call the number on the form and order tickets over the phone. If anyone has questions, they may contact me by phone, Steven Kargol | Group Ticket Sales Specialist, Harlem Globetrotters International, Inc.,             (800)-641-4667       x 148 or by e-mail Kargol@harlemglobetrotters.com.  I may also be reached directly at             602-707-7031      

UPDATE - Light of Hope Run/Walk

April 22nd Weather Forecast - Warm and Sunny!

Perfect for CASA's Light of Hope 1K, 5K, 10K run/walk.

Race starts at 9:00 a.m. at Riverbend Park

Register and pay online at: www.casaofcentraloregon.org

April 21st packet pick-up at Fleet Feet (1320 Galveston Ave.) 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

For the one-stop folks

Day-of-race registration and packet pick-up starts at 7:30 a.m.

See you at the finish line!

Oregon to Focus on Drugs Used to Aid Foster Kids - News Story - KTVZ Bend

SALEM, Ore. -- Oregon continues efforts to ensure the most appropriate use of psychotropic medications in the child welfare system. Based on this progress, the Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority announced Friday that Oregon has been chosen as one of five states that will be part of a national pilot project focused on improving use of medication among children and adolescents in foster care with mental and behavioral health needs.

This three-year initiative, developed by the Center for Health Care Strategies and made possible through the Annie E. Casey Foundation, will identify new strategies focused on quality improvement related to prescribing, monitoring, and oversight of psychotropic medication use. Oregon will join Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Vermont in creating a cross-agency team --- including state Medicaid, child welfare, and behavioral health agencies as well as families, youth and providers, to develop and implement new approaches to psychotropic medication use.

Nationwide rates of psychotropic medication use are especially high among children in the child welfare system. Oregon has made improvements and in 2009 new legislation strengthened psychotropic medication laws allowing children in its care to have the appropriate health assessment and early diagnosis in the course of treatment.

On October 31, 2008, 20 percent of children in Oregon's foster care were receiving psychotropic medications. By comparison, in 2010, our numbers show improvement with 14 percent receiving psychotropic medications.

"Foster children are in the care and custody of the state, and we take their medical care very seriously," said Erinn Kelley-Siel, DHS director. "DHS and our partners at OHA have been working closely on this issue for several years, and this collaborative will help us continue to improve the quality of services foster children deserve when they are in a crisis."

Recent federal legislation requires child welfare agencies to partner with state Medicaid agencies (Oregon Health Authority has this role in Oregon) to develop coordinated plans for the monitoring and oversight of psychotropic medication use among children in foster care.

"This important initiative will help us better coordinate the mental health treatment for foster children," says Bruce Goldberg, M.D., Oregon Health Authority director. "We know that coordination of care will bring better health for children and also lower costs for the state, and we look forward to working with our federal partners."

Lessons and best practices identified through the collaborative will be shared broadly to guide other states in developing effective policies and practices for the appropriate use of psychotropic medications, so as to improve care and outcomes for children in foster care throughout the country.

"We are delighted to welcome these five states to advance opportunities for more effective psychotropic medication use for children in foster care," says Kamala D. Allen, director of Child Health Quality at CHCS. "These teams are clearly committed to finding innovative ways to ensure that the children entrusted to their care receive the most appropriate services to meet their needs, and achieve the best outcomes possible."


For more information on CHCS's work in children's behavioral health and child welfare, visit www.chcs.org.

A Home of Their Own

Despite their five-year age difference, Gabriel, 10, and Leticia, 5, are loving siblings who have very strong ties. They will enhance the right adoptive family with their affection and energy. Gabe says that although his little sister has days where she "sticks to him like Velcro," he loves her and is very protective of her. Leticia, in turn, idolizes her older brother. These children have truly blossomed in their current foster home. 

Intelligent Gabe has an enthusiasm for life that fuels his many interests. He loves to fish, play sports, camp, swim, hike, and just about anything that involves the outdoors. He also loves to read, especially fantasy and science fiction. Gabe does quite well in school and enjoys playing with other kids.  

Happy, active Leticia enjoys the outdoors, swimming and family activities. While she is on track developmentally in all but her speech, she has already made huge gains, and it is expected that she will be at grade level by kindergarten. Leticia loves to color, be read to and play with other children. 

There are all kinds of adventures that this brother and sister would like to share together with an adoptive family. Gabe and Leticia will thrive with nurturing parents who have extensive time and attention set aside just for them. 

If you would like more information on these children, please contact Angela Dindia at 

adindia@boysandgirlsaid.org or             800-331-0503      .