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.

 

Front Range CASA/GAL Receives Community Enhancement Grant

Last week, members of the 3 Rivers Community Enhancement Grant Program presented Front Range CASA/GAL with a check for $1,300. Stacy Eneboe, board president of Front Range CASA/GAL, received the grant and commented, “The funds will allow us to continue to advocate for abused and neglected children in the Ninth Judicial District.”

3 Rivers Communications general manager and CEO Dave Gibson said, “We are pleased to present grants like these. This is a key element of the cooperative’s vision and strategic plan to assist in promoting a community’s wellbeing in our service areas.”

3 Rivers Communications was formed as a cooperative and strongly believes in the cooperative principals. With that in mind, the board of trustees implemented a Community Enhancement Grant Program, to which any local nonprofit entity may apply for funding. Organizations must demonstrate through the application process specific, measurable ways in which the grant is projected to benefit the community.

Since the grant program began in 2005 there have been 66 grants awarded to 25 groups within the 3 Rivers communities for a total of $125,000. Grants given to entities in Conrad have totaled $16,800 and they include the Pondera Regional Port Authority, Pondera Arts Council, Golden Triangle Gymnastics Club, Nu Keil Park, Pondera Medical Center and Front Range CASA/GAL.

From left, Cheryl Sawyer of 3 Rivers, 3 Rivers board member Mike Mills, and Dave Gibson, CEO of 3 Rivers, present a Community Enhancement grant check in the amount of $1,300 to Stacy Eneboe, board president of Front Range CASA/GAL.

 

Submit Your Nominations Now for the 2012 CASA of Montana Awards

Every year, CASA of Montana recognizes outstanding individuals in the child welfare system, whose efforts have made a real difference in the lives of neglected and abused children. This year, CASA of Montana will honor an exceptional volunteer, CASA program staff member or director, judge, and child protection specialist. Montana Supreme Court Justice Jim Rice will present the annual awards at the Child Abuse and Neglection Prevention Conference in Helena on Tuesday, April 17.

Nominations are due to the CASA of Montana office by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 16. An impartial selection committee will determine the winning individuals by March 25. Information on the criteria and selection process is available here. To make your nomination, please fill out the appropriate form and submit it to the address listed on the form:

Volunteer of the Year * Staff Person or Director of the Year * Judge of the Year * CPS Worker of the Year

 

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!

 

 

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