“Advocates of the Year” for 2009 awarded by CASA for KIDS of Geauga County

Each year CASA for KIDS  of Geauga County  honors two of its many outstanding volunteers as recipients of the organization’s  top award.  On May 14, 2009, at the annual CASA Volunteer Appreciation Event held at Bass Lake Taverne, Louise Brick of Chagrin Falls and Dotty Ciciretto  of Bainbridge were each named Advocate of the Year. Louise and Dotty have both served in their roles as CASA’s in very valuable ways, helping children in need, representing these children in court and constantly  looking out for their best interests.  Juvenile Court Judge Charles Henry and CASA Program Director Christine  Steigerwald have long guided CASA for KIDS since its inception in Geauga County in 1997. Judge Henry became aware of CASA, a national program, a year after he took the bench in 1994. He asked a local group of professionals to help establish the program in Geauga. Christine Steigerwald became a volunteer in 1997 and was hired as the first volunteer coordinator in 1998.

In nominating these individuals, their supervisors have made clear why each deserves this award.  Louise was described as follows:  “Louise has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate since April 1997 and has represented the “best interest” of 15 children.  Louise has also served on the Friends of CASA board, a non-profit organization, for four years.  During her 12 years as a CASA, Louise has remained dedicated to the children she served and has never missed a beat on her cases.  She has always been thorough, objective, fair and persistent in advocating for the child’s needs.   Louise also communicates well and works collaboratively with the other service providers to provide a coordinated effort to best serve the children.“

Dotty’s supervisor praised her, saying:  "Aside from Dotty  completing all of the required paperwork, training, court hearings, and home visits, she has also  networked to facilitate support services for the children she advocates, Dotty has  quite effectively been able to understand the diverse situations and adverse lives that the children’s families operate in on a daily basis and recognize the number of obstacles and barriers they encounter."
Those quotes obviously reveal  the broad range of activities that constitute a CASA’s role. Furthermore, these tasks  are performed by caring people who have many other responsibilities in their lives, but they manage to include their CASA work as an important priority.  Louise and Dotty are delightful women who enjoy this volunteer work and do it enthusiastically.  In speaking with them, both mentioned how much fulfillment they experience when one of their cases resolves in a very positive way. 

Louise discussed how busy the first few weeks of receiving a new case are – getting to know the family situation of the child or children, the case history, and the services available to them.  No two cases are alike, and each may be complex.  Some end better than others. The first goal is to maintain the child in the home with services to help resolve the family issues or reunify the child with the birth family. If this is not possible, a safe, permanent nurturing home with a relative or an adoptive home is sought.  Another is to strive to keep siblings together. A CASA is neither a therapist or a legal professional, but has access to a wide range of information  and resources, and is there to see that everything necessary is being done.

Louise stressed that CASA for Kids of Geauga County is an extremely well-run program, and is constantly being evaluated in such aspects as excellent code of ethics, confidentiality, etc.  All of this enables the individual CASA to perform the job in the way Judge Henry requires.  She said the support from him is exceptional, but he also expects a lot from each CASA. They need to be aware of all services available, the laws that affect their cases, etc.  They are even trained in the necessary record-keeping and reporting that is on-going for each of their cases.  This is important, as the information follows each child in their records.  Just as vital is the way they learn how to recognize what is really going on in any troubled family situation.  Louise described that though the role of the CASA is to represent the “best interest” of the child, Judge Henry often asks in court:  “What are the wishes of the child?”, another consideration he gives when making decisions.

Dotty began her volunteer CASA work after seeing an ad in the Chagrin Valley Times and decided to call because the aspect of coming to the aid of children struck her interest.  Also, she knew of a few others in the community who were involved with the program, and learned much more about it after speaking with Christine Steigerwald.  Dotty’s previous volunteer involvement had usually been centered on fund-raising. The CASA role appealed to her because she wanted to work directly with the kids. She also needed something that was flexible, as she works full-time for her husband.  Other than the court dates for CASA, she has been able to schedule things such as meetings with therapists, school personnel, etc. around other commitments.  Of central importance, of course, is the time spent with the child and family, and that is required to be done monthly.  Dotty estimates that she puts in about 15 – 20 hours per month on a case, including email and other pertinent correspondence.

Dotty has found the training she has been given by the CASA organization to be  very valuable, and she enjoys the seminars throughout the year on mental health, adoption and other relevant issues.  She had no background in social work, so finds all of this very helpful to her role of providing insight to the court.  Her perspective on the teen-agers she has worked with is that they are often really victims of the home situation.  For example, when education is not valued enough in such environments, she works as an advocate for the child, particularly when meeting with school personnel, who perhaps are not even aware of issues in the home. Some children have been moved around a lot, too,
It is clear that both Louise and Dotty put a lot of meaningful time and thought into their cases and want things to resolve in the very best way for their cases.  It is made clear to the families they serve that a CASA is there to help, but of course remain independent.  Geauga County is fortunate in having this resource available to families in need – not all counties do, but CASA for KIDS  operates nationwide.  It always welcomes interested volunteers.  Learn more by calling  Christine Steigerwald at 440/279-1696.

 

Cameo of CASA Martine Kowal

For those of you not acquainted with the organization known as CASA for Kids of Geauga County, it is a program of the Juvenile Court that provides advocacy for abused and neglected children of Geauga County.  CASA’s trained volunteers work as “court appointed special advocates” to represent the best interests of children in courts.  


Martine Kowal has served as a CASA for only 3 years, but already she has made a big difference in the lives of the children she has served.  Her cases have involved very young individuals because she requested that age group, when first given assignments.  Martine originally heard about CASA for Kids from a good friend who was a CASA in California.  When she heard more good things about this volunteer opportunity from another friend, a psychologist in Nebraska, she decided to find out if this organization existed in Ohio. (She has since learned there are actually over 950 such entities nationwide.)

Having recently retired from her administrative work at Case Western School of Medicine, she was looking around for a new challenge to take on. Living in Beachwood, Martine first looked in Cuyahoga County, but learned that it did not have a CASA program. (Ohio law requires that a“guardian ad litem” be appointed as a child advocate, so without a CASA program, usually a lawyer will fill that role.)

Then a notice in a local newspaper caught her eye. It advertised a benefit being held by “Friends of CASA for Kids of Geauga County”, which is a supportive board, a nonprofit group that serves CASA volunteers and activities. It also works to increase public awareness of child abuse and neglect in our community.

Finding a phone number listed in the ad, she was put through to Christine Steigerwald, program director of CASA in Geauga, who filled her in on its mission, and explained how Juvenile Court Judge Charles Henry started the program here in 1997. Martine began the training, which she reports is wonderful.  It includes not only the initial 32 hours of intensive class work, but continuing education each year, and an annual state conference as well, where learning and sharing experiences with fellow CASA’s take place.

Martine’s first case involved a 5 month old baby, and it took a commitment from the outset.  Anyone becoming a CASA must realize the responsibility involved, because the child’s well-being can be determined by the information the judge receives from the CASA. Martine has been so impressed by Judge Henry’s thoroughness and the care he takes with each case, studying all the input available, and going over every aspect of information the CASA has gathered about the home situation, interaction with family members, foster parents, and any other relevant material. The CASA’s appreciate Judge Henry’s support, and in turn, he feels they are invaluable “eyes and ears” on each case.

Martine’s second case has just closed, after a year and a half time span. The baby has just turned two, and the case was resolved in a very positive way.  Martine says you come away very pleased in such a situation, and all the work has been worthwhile.  She spends countless thoughtful hours, putting together information gathered for the judge, because she feels so strongly that that every child deserves to have their best interest served.

Reports on each case are made usually every three months, and include accounts of all contacts, concerns, strengths of various options and then, recommendations.  Martine takes this all very seriously, and says what has helped tremendously in the process is that she can bounce any concerns and ideas off director Christine Steigerwald, and Martine’s supervisor, Ada Gillespie, who are so very knowledgeable and always supportive and helpful.

Martine Kowal has a busy life in other areas as well, such as the time she has spent the last eight years as a preceptor. (facilitator for first and second year medical students at Case-Western Medical School in their Foundations of Clinical Medicine program.) She meets with the same small group of students 2 hours each week for a year and a half to deal with communication skills, ethical issues, public health care, etc. She is well suited to this, with her background being in biomedical ethics, and finds it very fulfilling.

CASA for Kids of Geauga County values Martine’s contributions, recognizing her valuable volunteer work by honoring her as an “Advocate of the Year” and she knows that the reason she feels good about being involved comes down to her belief that a child’s well-being can very well depend on the decisions made in this important process.

Christine Steigerwald said “Martine was chosen as an outstanding advocate because in both cases, her thoroughness uncovered information that made a significant difference in decisions made by the court.  She embodies our motto: we believe in the power of volunteers to change children’s lives.”

 

 

 

 

Volunteer of the Year 2007!

Volunteer of the Year:Cameo of CASA Marty Anastasio

When Marty Anastasio read the notice in her church bulletin one Sunday morning some nine years ago, she felt more than mild interest. Rather, the description of a CASA’s work seemed to reach out to her personally in a somewhat spiritual way.  Almost immediately, she contacted Chris Steigerwald, CASA Program Director, to learn more.  Chris explained about the training program available to potential volunteers and suggested that Marty enroll.  This would not constitute a commitment, but would reveal the various aspects of the job and help to determine whether this was something that she thought she could handle.

Marty embarked on the 32 hours of training, which clearly taught about many things that define and affect the CASA role: child abuse, sadness of particular situations, the laws and court process, to name just a few.  Each year, the CASA volunteer is also required to complete 12 hours of continuing education, and Chris is very good at finding valuable avenues for volunteers to follow. 
An annual CASA Conference in Columbus is also offered to those who can attend.
(In their supportive role, Friends of CASA underwrites much of the cost of
attending.)

Marty has now completed her 9th year as a CASA, with much fulfillment, but still remembers the anxious moments she endured as she took on her first case. 
She arrived at the client’s home, having previously studied the investigative report giving her the pertinent facts of the case. Reading this, she had felt confident that she was up to the task of “fixing” the situation in this family.
Now, however, Marty was a bit overwhelmed as she saw first-hand the confusion that reigned in the household. The mother of the children presented with a very defensive attitude.  Marty took note of other things going on, which she was able to follow up on later. She thanked the woman, and soon left the premises!

As she drove home, Marty worried about discussing her performance with Chris.
But she called her up, and found Chris’ reaction to be sympathetic.  “Don’t quit until you go to the court hearing!” she advised.  This took place shortly, and she realized something quite important at that hearing.  The judge gave a lot of credence to Marty’s report which included information from the children’
s teachers, described the home environment, and told the children’s stories of severe neglect.  The Judge ordered that the children be placed into foster care that very day of the hearing.  Thus she began to see what important and valuable work a CASA could perform. Though the mother was offered assistance and services to resolve the issues, she refused to accept and eventually her parental rights were terminated by the court. One family fostered all three of the children, the youngest just a baby.  In time, they adopted all of them.

When Marty visited the 3 boys in their foster home, she saw that eldest was continuing to try to take care of the younger ones.  After all, that had really been his role for quite a while, i.e. “parenting” his siblings.  The new foster parents were ready to take over that role.  Marty took the eldest aside, having a nice talk with him, telling him how proud she was of him, and what a great job he had done.  Now it was time for him to let his foster mom take over.  The boy went over to his group of belongings and took out a necklace, then presented it to Marty, without saying a word.  She still treasures his gift, and uses it for inspiration.

Marty stresses that each case is different, but all are rewarding in their own way.  She has been an effective advocate and made a difference in the lives of many children by giving them a voice in court. She is one whom the CASA’s are grateful to have amongst them.  She is truly a giving and multi-talented woman.  Evidence of her talents are visible throughout the community.  The photo of her was taken at Kathleen Gips’ wonderful Village Herb Shoppe in Chagrin Falls, where Marty works part-time.  She also works as a care giver at the Weils of Bainbridge. For years Marty has made beautiful quilts, several of which she has donated as auction items at fund-raisers held by Friends of CASA.