CASA of the Midlands

                          Our Mission                         

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         CASA of the Midlands provides best interest         

advocacy for children under the protection of the court

                                       Our Vision                                                                  

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Our vision is to ensure a safe, permanent, nurturing                                        home for every child                        

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month!

CASA is committed to speaking out on behalf of children through the year, but this month, we challenge you to USE YOUR VOICE! Please place a pinwheel in a front window of your home to support CASA of the Midlands and be a voice! If you would like to volunteer, please complete an application & email Cindy @   

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Coronavirus Updates

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESPONSE PLAN

BASIC FACTS ABOUT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

NOTE:  This information is valid as of March 18, 2020.  During this virus outbreak, you can best stay informed of changes and developments by visiting the CDC Website and subscribing to their daily E-Newsletter.  

CORONAVIRUS BASICS COVID-19

The virus has been named SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” and abbreviated to COVID-19.  On March 11, WHO publiclyexternal icon characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. On March 13, the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergencyexternal icon.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 INFECTION?

Patients with confirmed COVID-19 have had mild-to-severe respiratory illness.  Symptoms including fever, cough and shortness of breath may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

HOW DOES THE VIRUS SPREAD?

The usual spread for COVID-19 is from close person-to-person contact through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing.  It may also be spread through airborne transmission, when tiny droplets remain in the air even after the person with the virus leaves the area.   Thus, contaminated surfaces may be another, less common, route of transmission.  It should be noted that common disinfectants kill COVID-19 on surfaces.

ARE SOME PEOPLE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO GETTING COVID-19?

Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions – like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example – seem to be at a higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. 

HOW IS COVID-19 DIAGNOSED AND TREATED?

Diagnosis may be difficult with only a physical exam because mild cases of COVID-19 may appear similar to the flu or a bad cold.  A laboratory test is the only way to confirm the diagnosis and currently, the tests are in short supply.  As of now, there is not a specific treatment for the virus.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BECOME SICK?

Over the phone, contact your health care provider or the emergency room.  They should ask the following questions:

• Have you traveled internationally within 14 days of your symptoms starting?

• Have you come into close contact with someone who has a laboratory confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis within 14 days of your symptoms starting?

• Do you have a fever greater than 100.4 OR symptoms of lower respiratory illness such as cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing?

If you answer YES, to any of the questions your health care provider should advise next steps which may include testing and quarantine for 14 days.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PLAN AHEAD?

We need to plan that usual services may be disrupted.  These include services provided by hospitals and other health care facilities, schools, restaurants, government offices and post offices.  Large public events may be cancelled and air travel curtailed.           

What is known about the spread of COVID-19 within the United States is changing daily.  We need to plan for the potential of high absenteeism.  These guidelines are not designed to create widespread panic, but rather reassurance that we have thought through our response.  These guidelines are an attempt to place proactive plan in place for the The Nebraska CASA Association recognizing we need to be flexible and constantly monitoring the situation utilizing local, state and national resources.  It is important that we communicate only accurate and up-to-date information.  Rumors and misinformation will only contribute to confusion and unnecessary fear. Expect modifications and changes to this plan.

ADVOCATE FOR A CHILD!

The CASA program provides trained and highly qualified community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of children and youth who are before the court as a result of abuse or neglect as defined by the state child welfare laws; living at home or in out-    of-home care