Monroe County CASA, Inc. is a non-profit organization that recruits, trains and supervises court appointed volunteers to advocate for children who are involved in juvenile court due to abuse or neglect. Volunteer advocacy is based on the belief that all children are entitled to a safe and permanent home.

CASA NEWSLETTER

MONROE COUNTY CASACOURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES for CHILDREN

WINTER 2013-2014 1

The Essence of CASA:Marissa Reed

By Tia Arthur, Monroe County CASA SupervisorEssence, the invariable nature or the true substance of something, is what all CASA programs strive to find in an advocate. We at Monroe County CASA have been so lucky to have found a model in Marissa Reed of what defines a true CASA for children.

As the recipient of the 2013 Indiana State CASA of the Year Award and nominee for the 2014 National CASA of the Year, Marissa’s persistence and drive didn’t just begin with her advocacy. It is part of her character that has made her the person she is today.

Marissa’s first case involved a sibling group ranging in age from 6 months to 6 years old. While all of the children were determined to have some attachment issues, Marissa researched their diagnoses independently and became familiar with each child’s specific strengths and challenges. Throughout the course of the 2 ½ year case, Marissa testified in court on multiple occasions including being on the stand for hours at a time. During Marissa’s testimony, she remained calm, positive, and was well prepared. She was successful in her advocacy and despite the difficulties and emotions running high in the case, she remained the same calm and soft-spoken Marissa.

Upon her first case closure, Marissa quickly took another case. Marissa began advocating for an infant who had multiple health issues due to being born with chromosomal abnormalities. The child had been in the hospital more often than not and hadn’t been expected to live as long as the child already had given the genetic abnormalities. Marissa

not only gathered records from the various hospital stays and doctor visits, she spoke directly with the child’s team of physicians to learn about the child’s conditions as they relate to the child. She realized it was never determined by any doctor that the child’s medical issues were as a result of neglect by her parents.

As the child’s health began to significantly decline and the child was hospitalized in an out of town childrens’ hospital, Marissa traveled to that hospital weekly for care meetings. The child’s cardiac health had worsened and the child would stop breathing. Multiple resuscitation efforts were made with success. However, the child wasn’t able to be successfully weaned off a ventilator as time passed. The child’s medical team felt that even if attempts were made to continue aggressive medical intervention, the child’s condition would continue to worsen and the child would ultimately die. The medical team felt that the child should be placed on a “Do Not Resuscitate” order. The care team discussed all options and the parents made the decision to allow for a “Do Not Resuscitate” order. With the urgent nature of the situation and Friday’s end of business day quickly approaching, an emergency hearing was necessary. Marissa was instrumental in pushing for the hearing to happen. She attended the hearing and supported the

parents’ decision for their child. Marissa was faced with the most difficult and heart-wrenching decision. She reviewed all of her files and notes she had compiled during the case, talked with the child’s parents, talked with physicians, and with her CASA supervisor before deciding it was in the child’s best interest to have her ventilator support removed. While this was an emotional decision for any person, including

See Essence (continued on page 8)Marissa Reed with her sons and parents.

The children CASAs advocate for are victims of abuse and neglect, harm done to them mostly by the very people who should protect them, their parents. What most people do not realize is that parents do not wake up in the morning and say, “How can I hurt my child today?” Most of the parents love their children, wish circumstances would change, and are often ill-equipped to make the change needed.

As a general rule, CASAs believe it is in the child’s best interest to be raised and nurtured by their parents. Happily, in 70% of the cases we serve, the children return to parents who are healthier, stronger and have improved resources to parent safely. It is the other 30% of the cases that end bitter-sweet. It is heart wrenching for our volunteer advocates to testify in court that a parent’s rights should be terminated. It is an incredible burden our volunteers undertake. Their motivation is the children. What is in their best interest is at the forefront of being a CASA.

Sadly, national statistics show that only 30% of child abuse is reported and in only 30% of abuse that is reported is there any action taken to protect the child. The court appoints only half of those to CASA volunteers. This tells us that CASA volunteers advocate for the most serious and most horrendous cases of abuse – the worst of the worst.

I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the most courageous, fun loving and generous group of people I have the privilege to know, the CASA volunteers. They are my heroes. We need many more to serve every child that is a victim of abuse. Please consider volunteering or encouraging someone you think would be a great advocate. The children need you. Contact me at kristin.bishay@monroecountycasa.org.

Monroe County CASA receives major bequest from Lou Horton

Jocelyn Bowie, Monroe County CASA Board MemberMonroe County CASA recently received a $30,000 bequest from the estate of Lou Horton, a former CASA volunteer who passed away in November 2012. Ms. Horton served as a CASA for five years; during that time she represented seven children who had suffered the full gamut of ill-treatment. The bequest from Ms. Horton’s estate is the largest direct gift the organization has ever received from an individual.

“We are extremely grateful that Lou chose to remember CASA in her will,” said Monroe County CASA board president Jeannette Heidewald. “A large percentage of our annual budget is dependent upon donations; Lou’s gift will have huge impact on our continued ability to provide necessary services to abused and neglected children. It costs about $800 in materials and staff time to train each CASA. Seeing an individual case through from start to finish costs about $2,400. And every year, Monroe County has about 300 children in the system and in need of CASAs.”

For information about making a bequest to Monroe County CASA, please contact:Kristin Bishay, Executive Director, at 812-333-2272, kristin.bishay@monroecountycasa.org or Kelli Shannon, Resource and Development Coordinator at kelli.shannon@monroecountycasa.org.

Message from Executive Director,Kristin Bishay

2013 Highlights Nicks English HutMonroe County CASA is grateful to Nick’s English Hut waiters Natalie Cabanow, Hannah Carter, and bartender Grant Myers who donated all their tips while hosting a dine-and-donate night for CASA.

Be More AwardsAttorney Tammy Minger won the 2013 Be More Phenomenal (Board Member) award presented by the City of Bloomington and the Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Herb Kiesling Award 2013CASA Shirley Fitzgibbons was given the Herb Kiesling Award for her advocacy of children.

Mayoral ProclamationMarch 8th 2013 was Proclaimed Monroe County CASA Volunteer Day by Mayor Mark Kruzan.

Royal Hair ParlorWon $2500 for Monroe County CASA from the Wella Hairdressers at Heart Charity Challenge by raising awareness and funds through a Children’s Art Show last spring.

15th Annual CASA for Kids PlayhouseBloomington Metropolitan Professional Firefighters Union 586 built it again!Tim Murphy of Picasso Moon Painting designed it again!Thank you to everyone who made this year a great success!

CASA NEWSLETTER WINTER 2013-2014 2

Balance Sheet 2012 2013

Assets Current Assets $141,706 $174,690 Property and Equipment $ 8,786 $ 9,280

Total Assets $150,492 $183,969

Liabilities and Net Assets Accrued Expenses $ 905 $ 819 Accounts Payable $ 5,348 $ (727)

Total Liabilities $ 6,253 $ 92

Total Net Assets Unrestricted $144,239 $183,877

Total Liabilities and Net Assets $150,492 $183,969

Figures are unaudited

Financial Statement

Meet Our Board  

Jeanette Heidewald / Chair Jocelyn Bowie Andrew Allard / Vice Chair Kendra Gjerdingen Sandy Garrett/ Secretary Linda Grove-Paul David Hays / Finance Chair Annette Hill Briggs Allan Buhr Robert LeBien Robert Clemons Alison Leslie Brian Beall Kathleen McConahay Mary Catherine Carmichael

Special thanks to those who served in 2013:

Jeff Baldwin Joyce Cookman Richard Jenness Beth Krause Emily Metzgar Dave Wright Meet Our Staff 

 

Kristin Bishay Kelli Shannon Executive Director Development/Marketing Coordinator Case Supervisors Tia Arthur Office ManagerBeth Krause Suzanne Merriman Sandy Rampley Anne Veldman Office Assistant Stacy Rodriguez Financial CoordinatorTom Garlock

Fond farewell to dedicated staff: Deborah Dunning Tiffany Kinney Amanda Wyatt We all wish them luck in their new adventures.

Meet Our Committee Members 

Katie Avers Victoria Dinges Janet Dunigan Tiffany Kinney Tara Laine Vickers Becky Wann

70%

13%

17%

2013 Expenses

Direct Service Fundaraising Administration

2013 Income Sources $364,711 

 

Public Sector    Monroe County Courts  $122,172    Indiana State CASA     $  39,812    Grants      $  39,006    Misc.       $    6,042 Contributions    Individuals      $  52,125     Businesses/    Organizations    $  27,772 Fundraising Efforts    Corporate Sponsors   $  19,000    Playhouse      $    7,828    Direct Mail      $  32,810    Misc. Events         $  18,144

$325,055 

Save the Date! November 1, 2014

Monroe County CASA’s

CASAblanca This promises to be an event like no other

in Bloomington. 3

 

2013 Outcomes 

247  CHILDREN 

WERE SERVED 

11,865  VOLUNTEER HOURS WERE CONTRIBUTED 

 112 

51%  

32% 

11%

Reunified with Parent  

Were Adopted  

Placed with Relative 

CASES WERECLOSED 

94%PLACED WITH A FAMILY 

113  ACTIVE CASAVOLUNTEERS O U R  

E V E R Y D A Y  

H E R O E S 

73% Female

27% Male 

71% Age 40+29% Age 39 and under  

  7% High School 17% Some College 31% College 45% Post Graduate 

51%       0‐5 years old 30%     6‐11 years old 13%   12‐15 years old   6%   16‐18 years old 

Monroe County CASA Inc.  recruits, trains, and supervises court appointed volunteers to advocate for children who are involved in juvenile court due to abuse and neglect.  Volunteer advocacy is 

based on the belief that all children are entitled to a safe and permanent home. 

Each year over 450 children enter into the child welfare system in Monroe County because they have been victims of child abuse and/or neglect. These children suffer sexual abuse, broken bones, 

abandonment, unsafe home conditions; they are born addicted to narcotics, are victims or witnesses of domestic violence, and are victims of parents who fail to protect them. The juvenile court 

appoints about 80% of these cases to Monroe County CASA.  Due to too few volunteer advocates, most of these children will be put on a wait list for 4‐6 months while their cases progress. Some 

cases close before a CASA is available. They are without a CASA to advocate for their best interests.   

Our goal is to recruit and train enough advocates to provide a CASA volunteer immediately to every child who needs one by 2015. 

 

Learn more about how you can help at monroecountycasa.org 

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Num

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Number of Years

CASA Tenure

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Circle-Prosco, Inc Electronic Communication Systems Horton, Betty Lou John Bethell Title Company Kappa Alpha Theta LeBien, Bob and Sara Noble, David Randall, Barbara and Jim Smith & Hays Properties, LLC. Upland Brewery

Allard, Andy American Legion Burton, Wooley Post No. 18 Bloomington Township Trustee Brantlinger, Pat Bunger and Robertson Cook Incorporated Northside Exchange Club Farrell, Lorraine and Richard German American Bank Gjerdingen, Kendra and Donald Gryphon Technologies, L.C. Horn, Alan Houston Family Foundation Jacobs, Clint and Sue Jahncke, Robert and Christie Law Office Of Tammy MingerMallor & Grodner Noriega, Juan Olcott, Joan Raydar & Associates, Inc. Rominger, Shine Semmel, David and Bowie, Jocelyn St. John Associates Unity Of Bloomington, Inc. Vohland, Bridgett Zimmerman, Margaret

Applied Technical Systems, Inc.

Bloomingfoods Market & Deli

Bowhead Science and Technology

Burke, Richard

Carmichael, Mary Catherine

Community Foundation , Of Bloomington and Monroe County Cook, Carl and Marcy

Cookman, Joyce and Claude

Delta Resources, Inc

Hartfield, William

Hoosier Energy

K. Luke Eades, DDS, P.C.

K. Luke Eades, DDS, P.C.

Leck, Glorianne

Martin, Wain

McBride, Jennifer

Myers, Beth

Tresslar, Tim and Young

Wiley, Timothy

Zietlow, Charlotte

Acito, Franklin and SandraBass, JenniferBeall, R Brian Benbow, Carolyn Bent, Tessa Betsy Bosin Bishop Household Blewett, Ralph J. Bloomington HospitalBridges-Rea, Dan and GailBriggs, Carl and Annette HillBryant, Beth and Steve

Friends of CASA

Bronze

Gold

Silver

Platinum

Thank You to Our Top 2013 Donors

Avers, Kathryn S. Baer, Terry and DaveHughes, Dan and Brenda BaileyBenchmark Home Services IncBlack's Mercantile, Inc.Bloomington Elks Lodge #446Bloomington Thrift ShopByrne Household Cabanow, Natalie Carter, Hannah Crane Federal Credit UnionDon Owen Memorial, Lodge No 88 FOP Dumes, Harold and Marsha BradfordFox, GregoryGibson, Chris Hoff, The Honorable Michael E.IU Police AcademyKappa Kappa Sigma Sorority,Kercheval, ChristineLodge-Rigal, Dan and AnneMcKeen, Sharon Meineke Car Care CenterMetzger, Emily Murphy, Jim Myers, Grant Sinn Trulock, Tiffany and ParkerStafford Law OfficeTiffany, Lisa Touloukian, Carol Union, Laborers InternationalUnitarian Universalist Church,United Commerce BankVinca Lane, LLC. Wann, Rebecca West, John

Burton, DorisBurton, Jim and DanaByers, JohnByrde, MaryCarson, CarlaCarter, KarenCarter, Steve and BeckyChambers, Dave and Sigrid Gentile Chapman & Nelson, Attorneys At Law Ciccarelli, Amanda and Andrea College Mall Veterinary Hospital, Inc. Conkle , Daniel and Deborah Curry, Harriet (Tarry)Curts, TomDeBruicker, Timothy and Cheri Dube', RobertDuncan, Doug and ElisaDunning, Jeremy and Deborah Fields Environment, Inc.Fisk, MiltonFlags Over IndianaGarrett, SandyGerstman, DanielGrandorf, Jim and JoyceGreenebaum, EdwinGroomer, CarolynHagood, BridgetHall, JackieHarman, Robert and AnnHeidewal, Jeanette and Neher, Daryl Hershey, Howard and MarjorieHFI Mechanical ContractorsHilliard LyonsHoover-Byers, Laurie and Julia Huber, Jeffrey and LesaHummeler, MaryIllman, DwainJacobs, MarthaJaffee, BruceJager, DeborahJensen, Donald and WendyKappa, Kappa, KappaKennedy, JamesKercheval, KimberlyKiesling, IrisKinney, TiffanyKnights Of ColumbusKovach, JamesLambdin-Lester, Diana and Frank Lang, James and MarilynLeslie, ZeldaLeslie, Matt and AlisonLevy, Susan and EdwardLocal First BloomingtonLyons, Jim and Marcie

Matson, Charlie and KatieMatthen, LidaMcDaniel-Krouse, BethMcGough, JaanMcIntosh, Jane and JerryMcLay, JamesMehlinger, Howrad and CaroleeMelamed, DanielMichael, Marion and R. KeithMiller, Joseph and RuthMyerson, DeborahNagle, Betty RoseNew, Dawn and Wisher, SteveNick's English HutNord, David and MarthaOgren, Harold and DeniseO'hara, RyanOlson & Company, P.C.Overly, Norman and JeannePanfil, AbigailPimple, KenPowers, JohnnaPrice, Carl and PeggyPRN Associates, Inc.Quick, Melissa and DavidRalston, Robert and IlknurRayfield, Robert and NancyRoberts, DennisRuesink, Albert and KathleenRuff, Jarard and NancyRusso, PatriciaSimic, Curt and JudithSimon, LindaSims, Jon and GeorgeannaSlinkard, Thomas and EmilieSmith, AnnSomers, Alan BSouth Central IN BuildingConstruction Trades Council Speakman, JeanneSpencer, SusanStavropoulos, JanetStephenson, Ron and SarahSusan Klein and Robert AgranoffSwartz, SueTaylor, DanThe Irish Lion Restaurant and PubTravis, CliffUlrey, Jerrold and PatriciaWalsh, Michael and LizWhite, Jeff and LegeneWichman, HenryWilson, GraemeWittenburg, DorisWright, Dave and ConnieWyatt, William and Amanda 5

Aarstad, Paul Agarwal, Girdhar Aikman, Sharon Allman, Brian Althauser, Robert Anderson, Mavis Baker, Jordan Beall, Carol Ann Bland, Mia Brantlinger, Patrick Bridges-Rea, Gail Brown, Adaliah Card, Lynne Compion, Gabrielle Compton, Lisha Crampton, Norman Crowl, Courtney Curry, Harriet (Tarry) Davis, Douglas Davis, Velma DeLuce, Verna Donnelly, Martin Dube, Bob Eisenberg, Lana Farmer, Pat Farrell, Lorraine Fitzgibbons, Shirley Fox, Barb Francis, Terri Friedman, Gary Frost, Jacob Garrison, Halina Gerstorff, Julie Goetze, Mary Guy, Briana Hackman, Debra Harrell, Samantha Harrington, Jennifer

Hartin, Susan Hatfield, Suzanne Hayden, Ashley Haynes, Anne Hernshaw, Sandra Horan, Debbie Horn, Allan Jacobs, Martha Judin, Danielle Kashmer, Alison Kingsbury, Mark Knapp, Patricia Koch, Diane Lambdin, Diana Leahy, Anna Malacinski, George Maloney, Carol Mank, Roberta Marsh, Bonnie Mayer, Alec Mayfield, Armelda McBride, Jennifer McCabe, Emily McCammon, Ivaetta McKeel, Beverly Medlyn, Chelsea Mellady, Cassie Mellady, Vickie Myers, Cheryl Noriega, Juan Norris, Danie O'brien, Mary Beth Overly, Norman Owens, Anne Parmer, Teresa Paul, Randy Poirier, Natacha Pollitt, Stephen

Prough, Pamela Quick, Mark Quick, Melissa Rampley, Sandy Reed, Marissa Rothrock, Megan Ryan, Ed Saltzman, Tamara Schmitt, Brandi Schrag, Marge Semmel, David Shelton, James Smith, Keely Snyder, Steve Solon, Megan Sorensen, Vicky Spickelmier, Kristin Stockton, Marilyn Swanson, Jessica Thinath, Vincent Thompson, Sandy Touloukian, Carol Troxel, Jessica Turnbull, John Tyra, Allison Vander Linden, Marcia Veldman, Anne Wade-Hartfield, Cecilia Wadzinski, Les Westberry, Darla Whitley, Cara Wiebeck, Gerald Willian, Charlotte Wilson, Graeme Yoder, Amee Young, Chia Yugo, Katharine

2013 CASA Volunteer Appreciation Banquet

Program Volunteers

Ivan Record Heather Gwinn John Stigall Jessica Wolf Amanda Wyatt Sarah Zlotnick

2013 Court Appointed Special Advocates 

 

Lisa Anderson Amy Applegate Jawn Bauer Sarah Carter Tom Frohman Kendra Gjerdingen Justin Harrison Holly Harvey Beth Kirk Ed Liptak

With Fondness Monroe County CASA 

Remembers  

Kristin Spickelmier and

Cecilia “CeCe” Wade-Hatfield

Playhouse Partners

A Better Way Moving Bloomington Hardware

Bloomington Paint and Wallpaper Bloomington Professional Metropolitan

Firefighters Local 586 Tim Murphy of Picasso Moon Painting

OUR EVERYDAY HEROES 

6

Attorney VolunteersMichael McBride Tammy Minger Ben Niehoff Aviva Orenstein Maryanne Pelic Kara Reagan Philip Sallee Inge Van Der Cruysse Paul Watts

Gryphon Technologies hosts the 3rd Annual

ChippinginforCASAGolf Tournament May6,2014

atEaglePointGolfResortDoorPrizes‐Raffle‐Lunch

CalltheCASAofficeat333‐2272 toregister.

CASA NEWSLETTER WINTER 2013-2014 7

“I think it is important to not just write checks, to give money, to drop coins in buckets...this is the ultimate hands-on work.”David Semmel

“Having been a CASA, I don’t think I could not be a CASA. I’ve thought about not being one anymore and it just doesn’t feel right. The need is there such that if I didn’t do it I would feel like there was something missing in my life.”

Mary Beth O’Brien

“It’s a wonderful way to contribute to the community.”

Debra Hackman

“Because of the reputation of CASA...it sounded like a very good place to contribute some time.”Norman Crampton

“If I can do just a little bit to make a child’s life a little better...I’m not expecting to save the world. It’s just some-thing I really want to do.”

Sandra Hernshaw

“I feel good about myself...if I make any difference in their lives.”

Girdhar (Gil) Agarwal

CASA Volunteers come from all walks of life with a variety of motivations. One thing they all have in common:They are for the child.

Why I am for the Child

A “Sea Of Red” In Indianapolis

More than 300 child advocates gathered at the Statehouse on March 4, 2013 for Indiana’s second annual CASA Day. The event drew press from around

the state; Lafayette station WLFI said the assembled volunteers – clad in CASA program T-shirts – resembled a “sea of red.” Attendees heard several speakers discuss the importance of CASA volunteers’ work helping abused and neglected children. They included Monroe County retired judge Viola Taliaferro, who spoke to the CASAs twice, once at their assembly and again when they marched to the courthouse. Other guests included Indiana House speaker Brian Bosma, State Supreme Court Justice Loretta Rush, and Indiana

Volunteer of the Year Bud Herron. One of Herron’s former cases, an 18-year-old who had been in foster care, told the group what a difference Herron and the CASA program had made in his life.

The third annual CASA Day will be March 3, 2014. Every advocate and CASA supporter is encouraged to join the Monroe County delegation.Email info@monroecountycasa.org for more details and to register to attend.

[ Donate to Monroe County CASA Visit www.monroecountycasa.org ]

M O N R O E C O U N T Y C A S ACOURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN

201 N. Mor ton St ree t , Bloomington , IN 47404

CASA NEWSLETTER WINTER 2013-2014

Essence (continued from page 1)

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Marissa, to make, she came to terms with her decision just as the child’s own parents had to do. Despite the parents, CASA, and DCS’s recommendation, the final opinion on the issue laid with the local judge. After the hearing, Marissa was observed comforting and hugging the mother.

Marissa’s work was not done. She immediately began making phone calls and communicating with the township trustee about financial assistance for the child’s funeral arrangements. She contacted local funeral homes about pricing and assistance. She wanted the parents to be able to spend all their time with the child, which was certainly in the baby best interest. The child passed the next day. Marissa attended the funeral and was embraced by the parents. It spoke volumes about her commitment to the child and the family left behind. When contacted recently about her opinion of Marissa, the mother said, “Marissa helped me when I was always worried

that my baby would be removed. Marissa guided me through the situation and showed me what needed to happen in order to keep the baby at home. It helped me understand. Marissa was the only person who I felt was there to help the baby and she was honest, which is huge in this type of a situation. That day that the judge ruled that the baby’s support be removed, Marissa told me that if anyone in the family needed her they could call. She came to the funeral and she helped get us the obituary for the baby that wasn’t covered under the funeral costs. She supported us through it all.” Marissa remained a constant warrior for the child.

When the CASA supervisor contacted Marissa after the funeral to check-in with her, Marissa had been clearly impacted by the loss of the child. She asked about taking another case. “If you have a wait list, I don’t want kids to go without a CASA.”

Monroe County CASA thanks our Corporate Sponsors

Smith & Hays Property, LLC.

Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit #171

Bloomington, IN