Congratulations to 2009 CASA Award Winners! 2009 Volunteer of the Year: Loretta Miller 2009 Program Director of the Year: Cherie LeBlanc 2009 Judge of the Year: Justice Nels Swandal From left to right: CAN Volunteer of the Year Loretta Miller, daughter of Judge Swandal Rebecca Swandal, wife of Judge Swandal Debra Swandal, CAN Program Director of the Year Cherie LeBlanc, the Honorable Justice Jim Rice of the Montana Supreme Court. To thank the exceptional work of individuals who contribute to the success of local CASA programs, CASA of Montana recognized and awarded Sixth Judicial District Judge Nels Swandal, Eastern Montana CASA/GAL Executive Director Cherie LeBlanc, and Helena CASA-Advocates for Kids Volunteer Loretta Miller as 2009’s exemplary contributors to CASA’s work in Montana. Associate Justice of the Montana Supreme Court Jim Rice presented the awards on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at the start of the Prevent Child Abuse and Neglect Conference held in the Helena Red Lion Colonial Hotel, April 21-23.  Nominations were sent in by local CASA program staff, Child Protection Services employees, CASA Volunteers, and attorneys at law.  Justice Rice explained that, “An independent committee of four evaluators chose honorees this year. CASA recognizes people who have made significant contributions in their work with children and families.”              Justice Swandal was unable to be present at the awards ceremony Tuesday, April 21, but his wife Debra and daughter Rebecca were able to attend and accept the award on his behalf.  Justice Rice shared Sixth Judicial District CASA Program Director Ann Schilling’s nominating remarks, "Judge Swandal has always been supportive of the volunteers and the work they do in his court.  Not only does he make the volunteers feel comfortable on the witness stand, you can be sure that he has always read the CASA's report and he considers all their information when making his decisions.”  Justice Swandal made an appeal to the communities of Livingston and Big Timber in 2002 to start their local CASA Program.  Over 60 people attended the initial meeting.  By 2004 a board was formed, policies developed, and the first group of 15 volunteers were trained and started representing cases.             Also awarded was the 2009 CASA Program Director of the Year Cherie LeBlanc.  “LeBlanc was one of seven volunteers in the first training program at the Miles City office in 1993. In 2005, she became Executive Director, in charge of serving 12 counties in the 16th and 7th judicial districts in the eastern quarter of Montana.  In 2008, LeBlanc personally traveled over 8,000 miles recruiting new volunteers, supervising current volunteers and attending court proceedings,” Justice Rice stated. Most recently, LeBlanc took on the Forgotten Children campaign and placed 50 cardboard cutouts of children on the Capitol lawn the morning of Tuesday, April 21.  The Forgotten Children Campaign features life size stand-up displays that bear actual messages from foster children, all gathered from a recent national study commissioned by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association.             The final award recipient was local Helena CASA Volunteer Loretta Miller.  Justice Rice remarked about Miller that, “Not only does she take cases, she also serves as a mentor to other volunteers in a special mentor program.  She has earned the respect of each and every social worker she works with in the local office.”

Park-2-Park Montana Park-2-Park Montana is a multi-day bicycle ride in support of CASA of Montana and a non-profit network of 15 local CASA programs. For information and registration forms visit www.park2parkmontana.org

Forgotten Children Campaign Places Cut-Outs on Capitol Lawn

Cherie LeBlanc and Jamie Burkhalter set up Forgotten Children cutouts in front of the Capitol.

Every year, more than 500 children enter Montana’s foster care system, due to suspected parental abuse or neglect. To raise awareness and support for these vulnerable children CASA hosted a Forgotten Children’s Day event Tuesday April 21 at the State Capitol in Helena.  National sponsors of the Forgotten Children campaign are the Dr. Phil Foundation, the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, and Jewelers for Children. Their support of this event promoted the national effort to bring communities together for foster children throughout April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The event featured life size stand-up displays that bear actual messages from foster children, all gathered from a recent national study commissioned by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. In the words of one youth: “If you want the foster care system to get better, if you have compassion in your heart, don’t stop doing whatever you can to make it better — even if it’s just by providing an ear. Be someone we can talk to. You are the one that can create the change.”