MONROE COUNTY CASACOURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES for CHILDREN

See Role (continued on page 2) CASA NEWSLETTER•APRIL 2012 1

When Mark and Donna Kingsbury brought Kadi home from Riley Children’s Hospital, it was the first time in

her 14 months of life that she had ever been out of the hospital. But Kadi had already experienced a great deal in her short life, having received a quadruple organ transplant at 10 months old. Fortunately for Kadi, the Kingsburys were therapeutic foster parents who were more than willing to care for her in their home. “We sort of had a reputation already for taking medical babies,” Mark Kingsbury says. “So [the Department of Child Services] specifically asked for us.”

A Challenging CaseKadi was born with short bowel syndrome. Until she received stomach, liver, pancreas and bowel transplants, her body was unable to provide itself with the nutrients it needed. Since Kadi’s case was one of medical neglect, CASA Gary Friedman was ap-pointed to ensure that the system served Kadi’s best interests. “They always talk about those miracle babies — she’s basically one,” Friedman says. “She shouldn’t have been living. That’s all there is to it.” In their years as foster parents, the Kingsburys had worked with CASA on multiple occasions. Friedman, however, was working on his first case as an advocate. While the case was dif-ficult, involving both medical issues and parental abandonment, he viewed the situation as an opportunity to learn and grow as a CASA. “It was definitely a trial by fire for me,” he says. “I don’t know if I could handle it if every case was like [Kadi’s]. You definitely get emotionally involved, whether you’re supposed to or not.” Despite the challenging nature of the case, Friedman was soon handling tough situations like an experienced advocate, making it his duty to be as informed as possible. To gain a bet-

A unique experience develops two CASAs and leads to a permanent home for a child

ter understanding of Kadi’s present and future needs, he made regular visits to the Kingsburys and to Kadi’s biological parents and acquainted himself with Riley’s staff. Above all, he tried to be the eyes and ears of the court. “He wasn’t afraid to jump right in and go to bat for Kadi,” Donna Kingsbury, a former CASA herself, says. “From the beginning, Kadi was a priority.”

Fighting for KadiWhile Friedman was busy observing, visiting and researching, the Kingsburys were constantly watching out for Kadi’s well-be-ing. Her immune system was compromised, so she easily could become ill. That meant the couple had to maintain an extremely clean environment — quite the feat with four other children in their home at the time. During the whole process, Mark was keeping extensive records. As an experienced foster parent, he understood the importance of documentation for Kadi’s CASA and the court. His and Friedman’s dedication paid off at the court hearing to terminate parental rights, which ended after 13 long hours. As part of the termination process, which results in a permanent

A CASA and a Casa

Mark, Donna, and Kadi Kingsbury

See Casa (continued on page 4)

By Rachel Hurley

was a professor of education at Indiana University. In 2009 Ellen was nominated as state CASA of the year for her incred-ible work on her first case. Ellen’s com-mitment and passion for helping children was illustrated in her academic work and through her service to the community. Ellen was a strong voice for public educa-tion and advocated for the inclusion of disabled students in regular classrooms.

Home

CASA NEWSLETTER•APRIL 2012 2 3 CASA NEWSLETTER•APRIL 2012

Everyone agreed: it was time for a move. After 12 years, CASA had outgrown the cramped space of its previous of-

fices on Seventh Street. Not only did the growing organization need more room to conduct daily business, but it also hoped to create a more welcoming environment for the staff, case supervisors and advocates who used the space and resources regularly. With seven offices, a more open layout and a conference room dedicated to advocate use, the new headquarters at 201 N. Morton St. are already beginning to feel like home to CASA. “I don’t foresee us needing to leave this space ever — at least not for the reason of outgrowing it,” Kristin Bishay, executive director of CASA, says.

On the huntIt was not easy to find the warm, inviting space CASA needed. For three years, Bishay searched for a place that met all of her criteria: most importantly, a more comfortable layout and a location near the Monroe County Justice Building. Persistence and a set of fortuitous circumstances eventually landed CASA its current location. “When I found this place, I didn’t look any further — but I’d been looking for the last three years,” Bishay says. She made significant progress in fall 2011, when she men-tioned to David Hays, CASA board member and part-owner of the old Hays Market building that she was looking for a new location for the CASA offices. Hays was able to put Bishay in touch with his business partner, who had notified him that very day that the top floor of their building was available. The pieces slowly began to fall into place for CASA to rent the space.

CASA staff and advocates settle into a new office space

Of course, the organization had to consider other elements before committing to relocation. After carefully weighing all the factors, CASA board members concluded that the move was in the best interests of the advocates, who are truly the foundation of the organization. “Our board members are very much about supporting the volunteers and giving them the tools to be the best advocates they can be,” Bishay says. “[They decided] this space was one of those tools.”

Exploring the benefitsCASA’s 103 advocates will be able to operate much more ef-ficiently and comfortably in the new location. Advocates check in at the offices at least every other month to work on reports or meet with case supervisors. Private offices for case supervi-sors are important features of the new space, as advocates and supervisors are able to discuss cases in confidentiality. But the highlight of the new space is the conference room that holds all the resources an advocate could require, includ-ing a much-needed computer station. Whether advocates want children’s books and toys to take on visits or reference materials and a work space to prepare for hearings, they will be able to find them all in the advocate’s room. In addition, the advocate’s room and a second conference room are ideal for on-site CASA training sessions and board meetings. With better spaces in which to use all of CASA’s resources, now easily at hand, the new offices encourage advocates to sit down and make themselves comfortable. “It’s great to have a place the CASAs can call home,” says Beth Bryant, CASA board president.

No place like

By Rachel Hurley

There are no regrets for Harriet “Tarry” Curry, this year’s nominee for the G.F. Bettineski Child Advocate of the Year

award, which recognizes a CASA or guardian ad litem for his or her outstanding effectiveness and persistence as a child advo-cate. Since joining CASA 17 years ago, Tarry has served on 25 cas-es, helped 40 children and become a go-to advocate for difficult situations. Her commitment to serving abused and neglected children in Monroe County has earned her a nomination for the national award. After learning about the organization at an alumnae meeting of Kappa Alpha Theta, her sorority that recognizes CASA as its national philanthropy, she immediately knew she had found her calling. She jumped into her new role wholeheartedly, volun-teering for a case sure to test any advocate’s confidence: advocat-ing for a child on life support as a result of severe abuse.

An emotional taskWhile she knew the case would be challenging, she was not prepared for how heartbreaking it would be. Choosing whether a child should live or die was a heavy responsibility. Sadly, the child passed away before the court made a final decision. “I can’t even imagine that being your first case and still stick-ing with [CASA] for 17 years and doing [your job] with enthu-siasm,” Tiffany Kinney, assistant director of CASA, says. But Tarry knew if she could handle an extreme case like her first one, she could work through any situation. Since then,

A passion for people keeps nominee working on complex cases

Local Advocate Nominated for

National CASA of the Year

Tarry has developed a reputation for managing some of CASA’s most complex and difficult cases, though she does not see it that way. All the cases are alike in many respects, she says, and all advocates have their own talents that help them deal with challenges.“We all have different things we’re good at,” she says. “I couldn’t do a lot of things other [advocates] do.”

By Rachel Hurley

Tarry Curry

See Curry (continued on page 4)

ADVOCATES AND EDUCATORS

In MemoriamMonroe County CASA is sad to have lost two outstanding CASA advocates who

served children in Monroe County not only as court appointed special advocates but also as community educators. Happy Curts and Ellen Brantlinger were inspira-tions to CASA staff and volunteers and will be missed dearly by all of us. Happy Curts passed away October 26, 2011. She was a CASA for 11 years. Before becoming a CASA, Happy was an elementary school teacher for 21 years.

Happy was deeply committed to edu-cation and advo-cating for abused and neglected chil-dren in the judicial system. In 2007 she was nominat-ed for the State CASA of the Year Award. In 2008, as a result of her extraordinary

efforts, she received the Outstanding CASA Volunteer Award from the Indiana Retired Teacher’s Association, presented by Gov. Mitch Daniels. Happy was a true champion for children of all ages and believed deeply in the mission of Monroe County CASA. Ellen Brantlinger, who passed away March 24, 2012, was a CASA for six years. Prior to becoming a CASA, Ellen

Happy Curts Ellen Brantlinger

She worked locally and internationally for educational rights and social justice. Ellen’s advocacy work was a testimony to her integrity and commitment to mak-ing the world a better place for children.

MONROE COUNTY CASACOURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES for CHILDREN

1 2 0 W . 7 T H S T R E E T | S U I T E 1 1 0 | B L O O M I N G T O N , I N | 4 7 4 0 4

CASA NEWSLETTER•APRIL 20124

Visit www.monroecountycasa.org or text MCCASA to 48510[ ]Donate to Monroe

County CASA

placement for the child, the Kingsburys were planning on adoption. In fact, Kadi was to be the couple’s final foster child, but Mark still wanted to help children in the community. He had seen CASAs in action many times — from his wife to those on the cases of other foster children — and he felt that becoming an advocate himself was an ideal way to continue being involved. Adjusting to his new role as a CASA is an ongoing process, but Kingsbury is up to the challenge. “Mark is so good about digging up info and searching for things, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind,” Donna Kings-bury says.

A happy endingSince bringing Kadi home in February 2009, the Kingsburys have seen her health improve consistently. Though her health remains a priority for Mark, he still has plenty of energy to devote to his first case as a CASA. Friedman does not have much contact with the family any longer, but that is all right by him. “I’m kind of the opinion that the day I’m off the case, it’s great if [the child and family] never see me again because it means they don’t need me again,” Friedman says. But in case he runs into Kingsbury at the CASA office, he has some advice for him and any other advocates: While every case will present unforeseen challenges, the role of helping a child is always worthwhile.

Tarry’s strengthsOne of Tarry’s strengths is her ability to communicate with others. Whether she is working with children, parents or fellow advocates, Tarry’s love for people helps her recognize positive qualities about others, even in the worst of situations. Juvenile Court Judge Stephen Galvin, in a letter supporting Tarry’s nomination, highlighted the qualities she brings to each case: “I [find] her to be the epitome of what a CASA should be — intelligent, fair, empathetic and relentless in her defense of the best interests of the children she [is] assigned to represent.”

A group effort The support and guidance of the CASA staff, foster parents and Department of Child Services is invaluable when Tarry is working on a case. She credits them with the success of CASA advocates who champion the rights of children. “It takes a lot of people to deal with the situation these chil-dren are in,” she says. “It certainly isn’t just the CASAs.” Advocates like Tarry are CASA’s best resources. Her com-passion for the children carries Tarry through even the most challenging situations, while her passion for CASA inspires her to advocate for the organization itself. She supports CASA lo-cally by raising funds through Theta and by speaking to others about her positive experiences as an advocate. For her years of dauntless dedication, Tarry is deserving of the national G.F. Bettineski Child Advocate of the Year award. “She really is a true ambassador for CASA,” Kinney says.

Casa (continued from page 1) Curry (continued from page 3)