CASA Awards Presented to Judge, Volunteer and Program Director

CASA of Montana recently recognized the people who work for abused and neglected children in district courts around the state.  At the annual Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference in Helena, Supreme Court Justice Jim Rice presented awards to the CASA Judge, Director, Volunteer Advocate of the Year and Child Protection Services Worker for 2012.  CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates –
a group of nearly 500 volunteers speaking up for 1200 children.

Judge Stewart Stadler of the 11th Judicial District was named as the CASA Judge of the Year for service on behalf of children, volunteers and the Flathead CASA programs. Judges appoint CASA volunteers to advocate for the best interest of the child, often as a Guardian ad Litem.  Nominated by CASA volunteer and past president Joyce Funda,  Judge Stadler Judge Stadler started the Accountability Court in the Flathead. He had a vision of creating an option within the traditional adversarial system for families in crisis. No money has been allocated for this court and it continues to operate as an integral part of the dependent/neglect case process with no additional funding. Families are often reunified sooner or parents come to realize that relinquishment is best for the child.

Ms Funda writes that Judge Stadler has been directly responsible for changing the institutional culture to reflect the critical important of the welfare of the children.

Justice Rice honored Executive Director Lanette Diaz of the Missoula CASA Program in as the CASA Director of the Year. LaNette has served three years as executive director of CASA of Missoula. Volunteer numbers have increased from 27 to 70 active volunteers. She hired an outside consultant to complete an organizational assessment of how to improve CASA.She also begin a fundraiser called Mad Mudder that raised about $13,000 last year.

Her team buildings skills, her extraordinary intellect and her “can do” attitude were noted by her employees and colleagues. Judge John Larson wrote, “Lanette has demonstrated a commitment to consistent, fair and focused decisions to help our local CASA program. Her positive attitude and collegial manner of approaching difficult issues is one that I wish could be easily replicated.”

Volunteer of the Year Gloria Trevizo of Yellowstone CASA has advocated for 15 children in the last 3 ½ years in Yellowstone county. She goes above and beyond and approaches everything in her life with the same dedication and determination

Program coordinator Melissa La Roque writes that Gloria has helped train her in the CASA system. She was a great mentor to some of the new class members and a model volunteer. She made sure that the children in her case were safe and in the same foster home, plus she helped to get services for the foster children. She encouraged their involvement in extracurricular activities and never gave up on the mother in the case. She met with the teen and encouraged her to the right things.

The CASA Child Protection Specialist Worker of the Year is a new award in 2012.

Jacqui Poe was nominated by Ann Schilling in the 6^th Judicial CASA in Livingston.

Ann calls her the “most dedicated, organized, compassionate and straight forward CPS worker. You always know exactly where she stands on an issue while at the same time she is very willing to explore different ideas on how to be best serve a child’s needs.

She has served eight years in Livingston with many CASA volunteers that are all impressed by how she handles her cases.

For more information and more details on CASA of Montana go to www.casagal.org, call 406 443 2448 or e-mail info@casagal.org.

Sarah Hostetler
Mary Cavalier
Loraine Lambert

We are so excited to have you all on board! You make it possible for us to provide child advocates for children in need of a voice. We deeply thank you for so generously donating your time & energy to children & families in need. As CASA is a volunteer based program, we literally could not do it without you!

Contact:           Carmela Welte

The National CASA Association Announces

Seattle, WA (November 29, 2011) – The National CASA Association today announced the election of Livingston, Montana resident Don Gimbel to its Board of Trustees. “As we embark on an ambitious new project to expand volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children, we are excited to welcome Don to the national board,” said Chief Executive Officer Michael Piraino.  “Don’s business skills and his experience serving on the local CASA board, Sixth Judicial District CASA/GAL of Park and Sweet Grass Counties, will be invaluable to our campaign.”

Don Gimbel is a senior managing director at Carret Asset Management.  He is responsible for all non-US investments.  Clients are both high net worth families and charitable organizations. The firm also manages assets for public companies and Unions.

About CASA: Since 1977, court appointed special advocates have provided volunteer advocacy for over 2 million abused and neglected children. The National CASA Association is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Seattle that works to strengthen local CASA programs through technical assistance, consultation and training, quality assurance, volunteer recruitment, and funding for state and local offices throughout the country.  For more information about CASA for Children, visit www.casaforchildren.org.

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Winner Michelle Donaldson – Youth Hailey Peterson – Hailey shot a 6 point Bull Elk
Winner Paula Curtin – Youth Wyatt Hammersmark – Wyatt shot a 5 point Bull Elk

Pictured with Wyatt Hammersmark is Doug Campbell.
Pictured with Hailey Peterson is Michelle Donaldson & her brother Brock Peterson.

When:                       
Monday, Nov. 21, 2011: 5:30 P.M – 9 P.M.
Wednesday, Nov. 23: 5:30 P.M. – 9 P.M.
Monday, Nov. 28: 5:30 P.M. -  9 P.M.
Wednesday, Nov. 30: 5:30 P.M. – 9 P.M.
Thursday,  Dec. 1: 5:30 P.M. – 9 P.M.
Saturday,  Dec. 3: 8 A.M. -NOON

Where: 
CASA Office                                   
1313 West Park Suite 4                 
Western Drug Building                    
Livingston, Montana 59047             

Court Room
City County Building
414 East Callender
Livingston, Montana 59047

Facilitators:   
Anita Nybo
Phone: 582-2051 (work)
587-1644 (home)

Ann Schilling
Phone: 222-4904 (work)
220-0259 (cell)

For more information and a full listing of events, please download this PDF file.