Yellowstone CASA in June

yellowstone garden party

Spring for Yellowstone CASA means Garden Party & Golf Tournament. The CASA Garden Party Dessert and Auction is one of those “feel good” events that makes for a lovely springtime Sunday afternoon. Held on June 13 at DanWalt Gardens, the Party was attended by 115 folks. Rod Ostermiller, from the US Marshall Service (and boss of a CASA Volunteer!) performed admirably as the auctioneer, assisted by CASA Volunteer and Board member, Karen Jarussi. Dessert was presented by DanWalt Gardens and Hope’s Homemade of Red Lodge. Jan Butorovich and the “CASA Players” presented a great skit depicting the role of a CASA. The Gardens were gorgeous on a cool day with the sun peaking through. Mark your calendar for June 5, 2011 – next year’s Garden Party at DanWalt Gardens, a hidden treasure of Billings.

CASA Golf Tournament an Ace!

If you’re a golfer, the 9th Annual CASA Golf Tournament at Lake Hills on June 18 was just as enjoyable as the Garden Party! Sixteen teams braved a windy afternoon and reported it was a fun tournament. (Two days later the tornado struck Billings. That puts the Friday wind in perspective -- pretty mild!) The U Bar S Real Estate Team, captained by Jon Ussin, took first place with their low gross score, and will display the traveling trophy for the coming year. It’s fun to have the CASA connection—Sylvia Ussin, married to Jon, was a CASA Volunteer for 8 years and daughter, Katie, works for a local media outlet and is a great supporter of CASA. Golf Tournament 2011 is scheduled for June 17.

Outback Steakhouse Hosts Volunteer Recognition Event!

The Billings Outback Steakhouse provided dinner for 20 CASA Volunteers, board members, & staff on Tuesday, June 22, in recogntion of the Volunteer's work with abused and neglected children in the 13th Judicial District. Proprietoress Jenn Ball enthusiastically greeted the Volunteers and acknowledged the significant contribution they make to the health and well being of Yellowstone County's children. Nationally, Outback Steakhouses support the work of CASA Volunteers and encourage businesses in the chain to support their local CASA programs.

volunteer appreciation dinner
Jenn Ball, proprietor, and Marge Eliason.

Thanks and Recognition to Our Speakers at the Statewide Training in Bozeman!

bozeman training 2010 picture mark long
Mark Long, Bureau Chief of Montana Narcotics Investigative Bureau

Ryan Tofflemire, is currently the Regional Administrator for the Southwestern Region which includes 12 counties: Beaverhead, Madison, Powell, Deer Lodge, Granite, Silver Bow, Park, Gallatin, Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Broadwater and Meagher counties. As the Regional Administrator he is responsible for the oversight of CFSD budget and implementation of practice and policy for the region. Ryan has 15 years experience in the CFSD field. He earned his B.A. at Rocky Mountain College and my M.A. at the University of Northern Colorado.

Marcia Jo Tharp, M.S.W. is a FASD and Child Development Specialist. Marcia retired in 2001 from nearly 20 years of work as a Medical Foster Care Provider in the State of Oregon, where she provided substitute care for pre-term, high risk infants prenatally exposed to drugs/alcohol. Marcia has completed more than 400 hours of medical training specific to drug affected children. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Psychology and Specialized Child Development at Marylhurst University in Portland, Oregon. Marcia is a 2007 graduate from the University of Montana’s Graduate School of Social Work. Marcia and her husband Dennis have four adopted, drug affected children. Marcia’s career goals focus on serving children and families living with the challenges of prenatal exposure to drugs/alcohol.

Mark Long, is the Narcotics Bureau Chief of Montana Dept of Justice-Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Some of his qualifications include; Peace Officer’s Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.)certified instructor, at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy (MLEA) since 1990 teaching drug investigation and identification, meth lab and marijuana grow investigations, outlaw motorcycle gang investigation, undercover/covert investigations, firearms training, drug endangered children training, and prescription drug identification and abuse, and diversion investigations; to basic police recruit academies, Montana Highway Patrol recruit academy classes, and Montana Corrections/Detention Officer’s basic academy classes. Since 1990 he has taught these subjects in several hundred presentations at not only the MLEA, the University of Montana, Montana State University, and numerous state high schools; but also in various locations throughout Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, South Dakota, and Canada, to law enforcement, educators, prosecutor/judge conferences, emergency responders, nurses/emergency room personnel, correction/detention/probation officers, and a variety of other public and private groups including child/public welfare, agricultural groups, reservations, retail stores, hotel/motel personnel, and public utility/transportation workers. Mark has been actively involved in research, policy/statute drafting, and committee presentations during the past four state legislative sessions, on topics including; methamphetamine trafficking/production laws, hazardous waste disposal, clean-up, and property remediation (relating to meth labs), medical marijuana, drug endangered children issues, prescription drug abuse, and other drug enforcement related legal issues. For more information regarding this topic go to www.dphhs.mt.gov/medicalmarijuana.

A special thanks to Jerie Roberts, who coordinated this entire event!

New CASA VISTAs & Supervisors Training

From Left, CASA of Missoula Executive Director LaNette Diaz, Volunteer Coordinator Dennis Radke, VISTA Kirsten Vorreyer, VISTA Laura Fremeau and Helena Advocates for Kids Director Bill Collins

Two new Americorp VISTAs started work with CASA programs in January. AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 40 years.

Kirsten Vorreyer is a VISTA volunteer from Helena working with the CASA of Missoula program to create a cultural diversity plan and recruit a more diverse volunteer base. She’ll also work with developing inservice training and other projects.

VISTA volunteer Laura Fremeau from Boston is working with CASA of Montana and CASA Advocates for Kids in Helena. Her projects include work on diversity, communications, outreach and updating this website.

Multidisciplinary Team Trains CASA Staff

Six presenters from the Flathead Multidisciplinary team spoke to nearly 70 CASA staff members and volunteers in a January videoconference. From left, Flathead County Deputy County Attorney Kristin Roset, Doug Overman, Flathead Police Department Detective; forensic nurse Debbie Mulcahy, Kalispell Regional Medical Center; Child Protection System supervisor Pat Sylvia, Josh Buls, Flathead County Sherriff’s Office; and MDT Coordinator Megan Breining. The team works together to respond to reports of child sexual abuse. There are teams in Butte, Bozeman, Helena and other Montana counties.

CASA of Missoula Raises $28,000 at Light of Hope

CASA of Missoula raised $28,000 with 170 people attending the Light of Hope event Feb. 5. Attendees included sponsors, local Child Protection workers, attorneys, volunteers and other supporters. A dressed lamb went for $1,000 and a varmint hunting trip for $3,000. Executive Director LaNette Diaz expressed her delight with the successful event. “I feel this really highlights how critical local community support is for CASA programs,” she said.

For more information on the Missoula program, see CASA of Missoula. The program is currently serving 147 children in the abuse and neglect system in Missoula.

Judges appoint CASA volunteers in 40 Montana counties to speak up for the best interest of children who have been removed from their homes through no fault of their own. More than 400 volunteers are in 15 local programs are now advocating for nearly 900 children. See What is CASA for more information or call 866 863 2272.

Great Falls Children at Attention!

GF fundraiser
During the Week of April 19, cut outs of Forgotten Children and blue and silver
pin-wheels, donated by the local Exchange club and symbolizing Child Abuse
Prevention, were on the Cascade County courthouse lawn in Great Falls.

Three Cheers for our Winners!

award pics
CASA Director of the Year, Ann Schilling, Presenter Justice Jim Rice, Volunteer
of the Year, Jan Butorovich, and State Board President Joyce Funda.

CAN Awards Given at This Year's Conference

CASA of Montana 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, Supreme Court Justice Jim Rice presented awards to the CASA Judge, Director, and Volunteer Advocate of the Year for 2010. An independent committee of three reviewers selected the honorees based on their significant contributions to CASA through their work with children and families.

judge pic
CASA State Executive Director Ellen Bush, Judge Jeffrey Sherlock, State Board
President Joyce Funda.

Judge Jeffrey Sherlock of the First Judicial District was named as the CASA Judge of the Year for his service on behalf of children, volunteers and the local CASA program in Helena. “He really likes kids and dogs as well,” CASA director Bill Collins wrote in the nomination. “Though he doesn’t decide too many dog cases, he’s made a lot of rulings on child matters. Over his 21 years on the bench he’s made hundreds of life altering decisions concerning children and he seems to always get them right.”CASA volunteer and board member Ann Gilkey has appeared before Judge Sherlock in “heart wrenching cases.” “He listens to all sides, recognizes salient issues, and renders legally sound, thoughtful decisions,” she wrote.

Justice Rice honored Program Director Ann Schilling of the 6th Judicial CASA/GAL as the CASA Director of the Year. Ann has been the driving force since the local program began in Park County 2002. Judge Nels Swandal wrote that she has created “a well organized and successful non-profit organization that operates smoothly and effectively in child abuse and neglect cases. CASA’s positive image and well recognized work is largely due to her dedication and ability to raise the bar in all areas of this field. Ann supervises 31 volunteers serving 21 children in Park and Sweetgrass County. Ann is always available to help the volunteers in writing a report or guiding an investigation. Ann has also served more than five years on the state board of CASA of Montana, most recently as chair of the nominations committee. In addition, each year she arranges dinner for a group of 40 to 50 bike riders in the Park-2-Park Montana event, and even a small bus to take them from their hotel to a local church for the meal.

The final CASA award was given to Volunteer of the Year Jan Butorovich of Yellowstone CASA in Billings. Mary Rouse of Dillon and Kathy Davis of Great Falls also were nominated for this award.Jan first became a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem for the court in Anaconda in 1983. She advocated for eight children while working full time as a registered occupational therapist at the Warm Springs State Hospital, a position she held for 30 years. She moved to Billings after accepting a position at the Psychiatric Center – now known as the Billings Clinic.Jan joined Yellowstone CASA soon after the program was founded in 2000 and has advocated for 33 children in nine years. She has a soft place in her heart for the special needs children and specifically requests those cases. She consistently serves as a CASA for two families at a time. She is well respected for her work by the judge, GAL attorneys, social workers and all professionals with whom she works. For more on Jan, check out this article in the Billings Gazette: http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_4933f83a-5be6-11df-9c5d-001cc4c03286.html

Thanks to all CASA Volunteers and Staff--You Make the Difference in a Child's Life!

Spring is Here!

Take a look at our Spring 2010 Newsletter for happenings around the state.