Welcome to CASA of Montana

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Montana is a nonprofit organization that partners with 15 local nonprofit programs in Montana. The combined local programs speak up for nearly 1,200 neglected and abused children, who are caught up in the state’s legal system through no fault of their own.

 

Videoconference Training on Sexual Abuse for CASA Directors and Volunteers

CASA of Montana is excited to provide the opportunity for training to local program directors and volunteers through videoconferencing. More than 50 attendees in 14 locations across the state were connected via videoconference in January 25, allowing local program directors and volunteers to participate in a training by Paula Samms of the Lewis & Clark County Child Advocacy Center. Paula's presentation was Sexual Abuse Disclosure: How, When, and Why Children Disclose Sexual Abuse.

It is very difficult for children to acknowledge that they have been sexually abused and more difficult to tell somebody about their experiences. Ninety percent of child sexual abuse is committed by someone known and trusted by the child and the community. Children may be embarrassed, scared to tel,l or protective of an abuser who may be a relative or step parent. It is important that the people who work with kids believe and trust the child’s disclosure. This presentation explained the pieces of a child’s admission and how to support the child as the abuse is revealed.

Before coming to Montana a year ago, Paula interviewed 1200 children in Columbus, Ohio as the supervisor of a sexual abuse unit there. She talked about some of her experiences there involved with interviewing children. “Don’t trust your gut,” she said. “You have to go with what they tell you.” Even if there’s a fantastic story involved, there may be truth in the disclosure.

Nancy Henderson at SummitNet Video Network and the Clerks of Court from around the state made this presentation possible. CASA of Montana has used videoconferences before, but this is the first time we have used this many locations. A list of conference sites across the state is available here. A PDF of Paula's presentation is available here.

Volunteers and directors will be able to train in their local communities without the difficulty of winter travel. CASA volunteer advocates are required to complete 12 hours of continuing training every year. This training will help fulfill a portion of that requirement.  

Lewis & Clark County Child Advocacy Center Director Paula Samms (right) presents while Helena CASA volunteer Alana Listoe (center) and Assistant Director Pam Young (left) take notes.

Videoconference attendees watch Paula's presentation from sites across Montana.

 

CASA of Montana Welcomes Three New Board Members

Three new members were elected to the CASA of Montana board on January 20, hailing from Helena, Livingston, and Sheridan.

John Weida has been a CASA volunteer with the Helena program for ten years. He has been heavily involved with establishing a Family Find pilot project in the Helena area, training volunteers, mentoring new recruits, and working his own cases. John also has extensive professional experience in education and training, race relations, and chemical dependency. His expertise will be a wonderful asset to the CASA of Montana board.

Marcus Lilley has served on the 6th Judicial District CASA board in Livingston, and currently runs a family-owned business in Livingston. He has recently co-founded a support group to reach out to children, teens, and adults who face bullying and feelings of isolation. His passion for children’s causes and expertise in the areas of fundraising, business, and finance will be welcome!

Diana Smith has 12 years of experience in fundraising for various organizations in New Jersey and Montana. Under Diana’s leadership as chair for the Ruby Valley Hospital Foundation in Sheridan, the foundation has raised nearly half a million dollars. Her ambition and dedication to child advocacy has found another outlet on the CASA of Montana board.

Thanks to all of you for your commitment to the CASA cause!

 

National CASA Celebrates 35 Years of Child Advocacy

Judge David Soukup

On January 10, 1977, Judge David Soukup organized Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) to speak for children in dependency and custody cases in King County, Washington. Volunteers were specially trained to represent children who were caught up in the court system through no fault of their own. The program has since grown and spread across the country, with more than 75,000 volunteers advocating for over 240,000 children across nationwide. There are currently more than 955 CASA programs in 49 states.

The 15 CASA programs in Montana are advocating for 1,200 neglected and abused children across the state with more than 450 volunteers. Join the movement! Volunteers and support are always needed! See our Program Directory to find a program near you, or contact us at the state office for more information.

 

 

Livingston CASA Board Member Elected to National CASA Board of Trustees

The National CASA Association announced the election of Livingston resident Don Gimbel to its Board of Trustees. 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.

"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 NCASA CEO 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.”

For more news and information around the state, please check out CASA of Montana's Winter 2012 Newsletter.

 

 

Winter Newsletter Available

For more news and information around the state, please check out CASA of Montana's Winter 2012 Newsletter.

© 2011 CASA of Montana