Child Advocates of Placer County grows stronger with expansion of Board of Directors
March 2007

(Auburn, CA) – Child Advocates announced today the expansion and strengthening of its board of directorswith the addition of Patricia Burgess, Janice Gage, Kathy Hendrickson, Mike Johnson and Allen Roberts, who join existing Board members, Lorraine Rinker (board chair), Patty Carozzi, Murial Moore, Michael Nickey. The expansion positions Child Advocates of Placer County for growth. The new directors bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to help make a lifelong difference for children.

“The new board members bring a wonderful intelligence, adding to a dynamic, cohesive board.  Each member has a shared-passion to help make a difference for children,” said Don Kleinfelder, Executive Director of Child Advocates.

Patricia Burgess has 30 years’ experience as an attorney ranging from legal aid for elderly and low-income clients to corporate, business and healthcare law. Ms. Burgess recently served as Assistant Chief Counsel for the California Public Employee’s Retirement System (CALPERS), where she supervised legal office investment counsel and managed outside counsel for the entire investment office legal affairs. She is currently general counsel of Knight Vinke Asset Management, a NYC and Monaco based investment advisory firm.

Janice Gage has been employed by Placer County Executive Office for the past 29 years, is Senior Management Analyst in Health and Justice. Ms. Gage is well known for her volunteer service to the community of Auburn and has served as a Placer County Juvenile Justice Commissioner, chairman and long-term member of the Sierra College Accounting Advisory Committee, was elected the first woman president of the downtown Auburn Rotary Club in 2003 and is currently carrying out an appointment as the Rotary District 5190 Assistant Governor for the Auburn area

Kathy Hendrickson is an independent consultant specializing in organizational development, executive coaching, learning and leadership development strategies. Prior to branching out on her own, Ms. Hendrickson was the Senior Director of Strategic Change for Agilent Technologies. Her experience with Agilent and its parent company Hewlett Packard spanned 26 years. She has long been interested in the welfare of children, and brings her great enthusiasm and executive competence to the board.

Mike Johnson is a Database Architect with Revenue Solutions Inc.responsible for a myriad of RSI data design, management and solutions. Mr. Johnson is actively involved in the community, and is currently a member of the Maidu Neighborhood Organization, the Community Emergency Response Team, and a member of the Roseville Committee for Traffic Solutions.

Allen Roberts recently retired from real estate in the Auburn area and brings with him an extensive set of connections in both the computer and real estate fields. Previously he was Options Processor for Hewlett Packard Corp., and has also owned and operated his own office systems firm.

About Child Advocates of Placer County
Child Advocates was formed nearly four years ago, is currently serving 22 foster children and has 29 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA’s). There are approximately 700 children removed from their homes in Placer County each year as a result of abuse, neglect, or violence in the home. CASA’s advocate in Court to identify safe, permanent living alternatives for the children of Placer County who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or violence. CASA trained volunteers advocate for the child's best interests in the courtroom for: educational plans for success; appropriate medical/dental care; safe, permanent homes; understand and communicate with the child on what is happening in court and moving forward; provide a consistent adult in their life.For more information about CASA, visit http://www.nationalcasa.org

Placer County CASA welcomes new Executive Director
January 10, 2007

(Auburn, CA) - The Board of Directors of Child Advocates of Placer County (CAPC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Don Kleinfelder as the organization’s Executive Director, succeeding Sally White, who has relocated to the east coast. Kleinfelder, former director of Exploring New Horizons, an outdoor science education camp for school-aged children, brings 16 years’ experience working with children and fund development, raising over $600k to send underserved students to science camp.

Kleinfelder, a native Californian, received his Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Chico and a Master’s Degree in Hydrology/Hydrogeology from the University of Nevada-Reno.

Kleinfelder worked in the private sector as project hydrogeologist/project manager for five years before joining Exploring New Horizons as Executive Director, where he doubled the size of the organization by developing a new outdoor school facility, and created the organization’s first fundraising program that secured nearly $1M in donations and grants over six years.

"Don brings a strong leadership background in the non-profit arena. He hit the ground running and has already proven to be a valuable contributor,” said Lorraine Rinker, CAPC Board Chair.

Kleinfelder will collaborate with CAPC board to continue to grow and sustain the organization's alliances with Judicial Council, National CASA, the Office of Emergency Services and various community/service organizations, nd drive fundraising efforts through appeals and grants.

Kleinfelder will collaborate with CAPC board to continue to grow and sustain the organization’s alliances with Judicial Council, National CASA, the Office of Emergency Services and various community/service organizations, and drive fundraising efforts through appeals and grants.

“Approximately 250 of the 700 children who go through the juvenile justice system in Placer County each year would benefit from having a CASA volunteer to help guide them through the court process, yet we are currently able to meet only 10% of that need. In a county such as Placer, which is blessed with solid financial resources, this is unacceptable. It is my goal that no child should have to go through the court system alone, and with community and volunteer support, we can reach that goal,” said Kleinfelder.

About Child Advocates of Placer County
Child Advocates was formed nearly four years ago, is currently serving 22 foster children and has 29 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA’s). There are approximately 700 children removed from their homes in Placer County each year as a result of abuse, neglect, or violence in the home. CASA’s advocate in Court to identify safe, permanent living alternatives for the children of Placer County who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or violence. CASA trained volunteers advocate for the child's best interests in the courtroom for: educational plans for success; appropriate medical/dental care; safe, permanent homes;understand and communicate with the child on what is happening in court and moving forward; provide a consistent adult in their life.

Child Advocates of Placer County Swears In Nine CASA Volunteers
November 5, 2006

(Auburn, CA) - Child Advocates of Placer County (CAPC) avowed nine new volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA's), the Honorable Judge Jeffrey Penney and CAPC Executive Director Sally White lead the ceremony at the CAPC offices on November 13.

CASA volunteers completed 40 hours of intense training, endured thorough background screening and are appointed by a judge to serve as the critical link between the child, superior court and foster parents. CASA's identify safe, permanent living alternatives for children. There are approximately 700 children removed from their homes in Placer County each year as a result of abuse, neglect, or violence in the home.

"Our team of CASA volunteers are dedicated individuals who want to help make a difference in the lives of children," said Sally White, CAPC executive director. "This is very exciting for Placer County and our agency as this brings our total to 29 volunteer CASA's."

About Child Advocates of Placer County
Child Advocates was formed nearly four years ago, is currently serving 22 foster children and has 29 Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA’s). There are approximately 700 children removed from their homes in Placer County each year as a result of abuse, neglect, or violence in the home. CASA’s advocate in Court to identify safe, permanent living alternatives for the children of Placer County who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or violence. CASA trained volunteers advocate for the child's best interests in the courtroom for: educational plans for success; appropriate medical/dental care; safe, permanent homes; understand and communicate with the child on what is happening in court and moving forward; provide a consistent adult in their life.