Justice Rice Awards CASA Judge, Director and Volunteer of the Year

Justice Jim Rice gave CASA awards to two judges, a program director and a volunteer for their dedication to helping the abused and neglected children of Montana. The ceremony was held at the annual Celebration of Children Breakfast in Helena and attended by Gov. Schweitzer and other state officials.

Rice recognized Judge Susan Watters for her work on behalf of CASA and the Family Drug Treatment Court in Billings. CASA volunteer Don Dundas, who nominated Judge Watters, calls her a forward thinking, tireless worker who conceptualizes "outside the box." Don says Judge Watters fought for the CASA advocate's membership and voting rights on the treatment team of the Yellowstone County Family Drug Court Treatment Court. This court is the first in the state and is the mentoring court for surrounding states as well as a model court for the National Drug court Institute. The participants in the treatment court describe her as "tough, caring, compassionate and kind."

Judge Kim Christopher of Polson was recognized for her hard work on getting a new CASA program started and funded in Lake County. She received letters of support from social workers, the county attorney, the county juvenile probation officer and the CASA board. She spoke at many community meetings about CASA and involved herself in other youth activities. As a result of her efforts, the county program and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Program recently moved into an office together.

Program Director Anita Nybo of Bozeman who manages the Gallatin County program with Nancy Mitchell was named CASA Director of the Year. Nancy nominated Anita, noting her 17 years of work for CASA and her work to start the program in Bozeman. She teaches volunteers to "treat everyone with respect" and "conduct yourself in a professional manner," Nancy said. She is a living example of those words. Anita does most of the training for the program, which now has 54 volunteers advocating for children.

Judges Holly Brown and Mike Salvagni supported Nancy's nomination, noting her strong commitment to children and the quality of the program that attracts significant volunteer help from citizens and lawyers. Anita helped to train the first CASA volunteers in an adjoining program in Livingston. This week, she helped to lead a volunteer retention training program for CASA program directors in Helena.

Anita administers one of 17 local non-profit programs in Montana, working with volunteers to provide training, mentoring and assistance. Kari Hould of Malta, Kim Leibinguth of Polson, Ann Schilling of Livingston, and Warren Wright of Missoula were also nominated for this award. Thank you, Anita for your hard work.

The Volunteer of the Year is Pat Gibson, nominated by CASA CAN executive director Judy Pylar of Great Falls. Pat has advocated for 16 children over the last five years. She is a member of the training evaluation task force and has agreed to mentor new guardians. Pat took on the job of advocate after running her own daycare for 33 years. "It only seemed natural to become a CASA volunteer after caring for children all those years and seeing some of the abuse and neglect."

Volunteers are the heart of the CASA program and nearly 280 men and women provided more than 16,000 volunteer hours in 2004 to 860 children.